Daniel Waggoner

Daniel Waggoner (July 7, 1828 – September 5, 1902) was an early American settler and rancher in Texas. He also owned five banks, three cottonseed oil mills, and a coal company. He established the Waggoner Ranch, which spanned eight counties: Wise County, Clay County, Wichita County, Wilbarger County, Foard County, Baylor County, Archer County, and Knox County. In 1959, he was inducted into the Hall of Great Westerners of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.

Early life Daniel Waggoner was born on July 7, 1828, in Lincoln County, Tennessee. His father, Solomon Waggoner, was a farmer, cattleman, and horse and slave trader. They settled on Catlett Creek, near Decatur. The ranch operated under the company name of Waggoner and Son. With his son, he also owned five banks, three cottonseed oil mills, and a coal company.

Personal life and death He was married twice. His first wife was Nancy (Moore) Waggoner, the daughter of William Moore, whom he married in the late 1840s. They had a son, William Thomas Waggoner. He became a widower shortly thereafter.

In 1859, he married Sicily Ann (Halsell) Waggoner, the daughter of Electious and Elizabeth J. Halsell. She was only 16 years old at the time, while he was 31. In 1883, he built the Waggoner Mansion, also known as El Castile, in Decatur, where he resided with his family.

He died of kidney disease on September 5, 1902, in Colorado Springs, Colorado.