Henry Dickerson McDaniel

Henry Dickerson McDaniel (September 4, 1836 – July 25, 1926) was an American politician who fought in the Civil War. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the 52nd governor of Georgia from 1883 to 1886.

Early life and education Henry Dickerson McDaniel was born on September 4, 1836, in Monroe, Georgia, to Ira McDaniel. Ira McDaniel was one of the first professors of Mercer University. McDaniel attended high school in Atlanta. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Mercer University in 1856. He established a law practice in Monroe in 1857. He later attended the University of Georgia and received a LL.D in 1906. On July 10, 1863, he was shot by a Union soldier at Funkstown, Maryland. Two days later, he was captured by Union troops in Hagerstown, Maryland. He was hospitalized at Point Lookout and then transferred to Johnson's Island in Sandusky, Ohio.

McDaniel was elected Governor of Georgia to complete the term of Alexander Stephens, who died shortly after his inauguration in 1883. He served out Stephens' term and was re-elected as governor in 1884. as part of the Temperance Movement in Georgia.

Personal life McDaniel met Hester C. Felker at the Female Academy in 1857. He wrote letters to her throughout the war and while held prisoner.

His home, the McDaniel-Tichenor House, was listed with the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

Death McDaniel died at his home in Monroe on July 25, 1926.