John Robin McDaniel (1807-1878)

John Robin McDaniel was born in Amherst, Virginia on July 9, 1807. McDaniel married Elizabeth Foster Chaplin (1821-1910) on August 16, 1837, and had a daughter, Oriana Robin McDaniel (1848-1912). He was described by author Philip L. Scruggs as “one of the leading citizens in the entire history of the city of Lynchburg.” John R. McDaniel had a major role in the development of Lynchburg through his efforts to complete the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad and bringing the first train through the city in 1852 (Vandiver, M. 2021).

John Robin McDaniel served as commissioner and director of the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad, president of the Citizens Savings Bank, and president of the Lynchburg Gas Light Company. McDaniel founded the first fire insurance company in the community as well as the first volunteer fire department. In 1863, McDaniel disposed of all his holdings and personal fortune to help the Confederacy, an action which left him in financial ruin. He served the community as a member of the City Council for 15 years, acting as president of the Council from 1871 until 1872 (Vandiver, M. 2021). In addition, McDaniel served from 1877 through 1879 as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates representing the locality of Campbell in Lynchburg.

Brother McDaniel received the Symbolic Degree in 1843 in Marshall Lodge No. 39 in Lynchburg, Virginia. He was the Grand Master of Masons in Virginia from 1860-1861 (McDaniel, J. R.1860 and McDaniel, J. R. 1861). In addition, Brother McDaniel received the Capitular Degrees in 1843 in Eureka Chapter No. 10, R.A.M., and was their High Priest from 1844 to 1868. He served as the Grand High Priest for the Royal Arch Masons in Virginia from 1853-1854 (Dove, 1872).  Additionally, he was Grand Commander of Knights Templar of Virginia from 1868-1872.

Brother McDaniel received the Scottish Rite Degree in Virginia Consistory on May 19, 1845 (Messimer, D. M. (2016) and received his 33rd degree in 1847 (Fetcher, J, 2021). Brother John Robin McDaniel was an active Member of the Supreme Council from 1847 to 1878 where he also became its Lieutenant Grand Commander (1870-1878) (Vandiver, M. 2021). Brother McDaniel succeeded Lynchburg’s James Penn as Lieutenant Grand Commander in 1870 until his death.

McDaniel died of a heart attack on May 14, 1878, at the age of 72, in Washington, D.C. while attending a Masonic convocation. He was survived by his wife and daughter and was buried at Lynchburg’s Presbyterian cemetery at 9-3-1 East (Genealogy & burial search. Presbyterian Cemetery, 2020).