McGill, Daniel Patrick (1852-1920)

MCGILL, FROST, SHAFER

Posted By: Daneille Griffin Grimes (email)
Date: 2/14/2007 at 16:22:05

Obituary of Daniel P. McGill from The Edmond Sun (Oklahoma), Thursday, Jan. 22, 1920

Daniel P. McGill was born in the state of Iowa,[should be Canada], Nov. 20, 1852 and departed this life January 15, 1920, at his home seven miles northwest of Edmond, Oklahoma at the age of sixty-eight years, one month and twenty-five days.

At Exira, Audubon County, Iowa, in 1873, he was married to Miss Eva Frost. To this union were born twelve children, three of whom died in infancy. He leaves to mourn his death a most devoted and faithful wife, ten grand children, four sons and five daughters. The children are as follows: Daniel Shafer [McGill], Edmond, Oklahoma, Roy C., Perry, Oklahoma, John L. and Horace S., Verden, Oklahoma, Miss Mary and Mrs. H.L. Griffin, Edmond, Oklahoma, Mrs. C.W. Griffin at Walters Oklahoma, Mrs. H.L. Bunstine of Britton, Oklahoma, and Mrs. Fred Johnson of Valley Center, Kansas. Also he raised a nephew, Will McGill, of Snyder, Col., who is also like a son in this home.

Mr. McGill's parents died when he was quite young. He was reared to manhood by Captain Daniel Shafer in Johnson County, Iowa. He received his higher education at a college in Liberty, Iowa. He spent a number of years surveying and teaching school, both in Iowa and after coming to Oklahoma. The early settlers of Oklahoma will no doubt remember his having taught the Higbee, Prairie Bell and Advance schools.

He united with the Methodist Episcopal Church in Iowa when he was quite young and was active in church work in that state; and after coming to Oklahoma was the first superintendent of the Sunday school organized at Prairie Bell school house. He was a most consistent man and always lived the same kind of a life that he professed.

He came to Oklahoma with his family in 1889, having made the opening run for the farm on which the family now resides. His pioneer days in Oklahoma were fraught with many hardships but through them all he worked and toiled without a murmur.

Mr. McGill had not enjoyed very good health for the past three or four years, but prior to his death, had been confined to his bed only a few days. His last hours were peaceful. When this earthly tabernacle gave way he departed this life without a groan. Death to him was not like the evening star sinking into darkness, but like the morning star lost in the brightness of eternal day.

Funeral conducted by Rev. Otto B. Morris of Edmond Methodist church at the home, Sunday morning, Jan. 18, 1920. Burial Grace Lawn cemetery, Edmond, Oklahoma.