An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL., 1893, pages 468-469 W. BYRON DANIELS, Mayor of Vancouver, was born in Mentor, Lake county, Ohio, December 17, 1848, a son of William B. and Sarah (Hall) Daniels. William B. Daniels, or as better known Governor Daniels, is also a native of Ohio, and his ancestors were early settlers of New England. He came across the plains to Oregon in 1853, locating in Yam Hill county. He has the proud distinction of being Idaho's first Secretary, and later Acting Governor. W. Byron Daniels, the eldest of four children, was reared to farm life, and received his education in the public schools of Yam Hill county, Oregon. He was afterward engaged in teaching in Oregon City. In 1869 he began the study of law in this city, with A.G. Cook and H.G. Struve as his preceptors, and was admitted to the bar in 1872, at Olympia. For a time Mr. Daniels was connected with a banking house of that city, also private secretary to Governor Ferry. His health becoming somewhat impaired, he next joined a surveying party working in sections of Idaho, Oregon and California. During a residence of eighteen months in San Francisco, he was engaged in abstracting land titles, and after returning to Vancouver, in 1875, became connected with journalism, starting the Vancouver Independent. Our subject sold that paper in 1878, and formed a partnership with N.H. Bloomfield, in the practice of law. This firm existed until the latter was called to the Superior Bench, since which time Mr. Daniels has continued his practice alone. He is a thoroughly conservative man, and has but little liking for parade or sensationalism. He is zealous, industrious, and leaves no stone unturned in a legitimate way to attain success in his profession. Aside from his practice, he is also engaged in fruit culture, owning a one-half interest in a forty-acre prune and peach orchard ten miles east of Vancouver, also eight and one-half acres near town. In political matters Mr. Daniels may be considered independent, although he was elected on the Republican ticket to the State Legislature in 1877, and was Secretary of the First Constitutional Convention in the following year. He was appointed by the City Council to fill an unexpired term as Mayor of Vancouver, and later was elected to the same office, receiving in a great degree the support of business men of both parties. His administration was so acceptable after serving two years that in December, 1890, he was elected for a second term. Mr. Daniels has brought to the position as head of the city government a high standard of ability and experience, and the opinion prevails that he is worthy of still higher honors. He has been City Attorney and a member of the Council for several years, was Superintendent of county schools, and at the present time is Trustee of the Washington State School for Defective Youths, and a member of the School Board of Clarke county. Mr. Daniels was married in this city January 18, 1883, to Miss Rosina A. Jaggy, a native of Washington. They have two daughters, -- Marguerite and Lucile. Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in October 2003 by Jeffrey L. Elmer * * * * Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Washington Biographies Project. Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the individual featured in the biographies.