Frederick McDanel (1868-1936)

Frederick McDanel

Frederick McDanel
born: 1 Sept. 1868 in New Brighton, Beaver County, Pennsylvania
died: 21 July 1926 in New Brighton, Beaver County, Pennsylvania
buried:  Beaver Cemetery and Mausoleum, Beaver, PA
father: Richard Baxter McDanel (1844-1912)
mother: Lydia Ann Marquis (1842-1928) 
wife: Francis Effie Braden (1869-1939), married 1 April 1891
children: Marion Etta “Mac” McDanel (1895-1948, married Clarence W. “Shad’ Gordon), and Helen Marquis McDanel (1897-1958, married Joseph DeVenny Brubaker)

Frederick (left) with two of his brothers, possibly Frank S (center) and Orrin Palmer (right).

Frederick and Effie are my paternal great-great-grandparents. Frederick grew up as the son of lumber store owner and contractor Richard Baxter McDanel, and eventually became Vice President and then President of the company. His brothers Orrin Palmer (1879-1953) and Frank S.  (1873-1932) and Richard Baxter, Jr. (1880-1956) also helped run the company, as evidenced from this 1912 ad:

 

This postcard photo shows the business flooded along the Beaver River March 27, 1913:

The charm (below) on my mother’s bracelet was a mystery until I found her notes. It is commonly called a “love token,” and was made from a 2-1/2 dollar gold coin in the late 1800s. According to my mother’s notes, it is supposedly the first money ever earned by Frederick McDanel. The back of the coin was smoothed down and hand engraved with his initials, FMcD. It is possible that this is the coin Frederick is wearing on his lapel in the McDanel family photo below, as well as the portrait of him at the top of this post.

In this family photo, probably taken in the early 1900s, Frederick is shown standing in the back, directly behind his father, Richard Baxter, Sr.

McDanel family, probably early 1900s. Photo is not labeled, but I think these identifications are correct. Front row, seated: Bertha, Richard Baxter Sr., Richard Baxter Jr., Anna, Lydia Ann Marquis McDanel. Back row (mostly standing): Frederick, Frank S., Elizabeth and Orrin Palmer. Lewis McDanel, born 1870, was said to have died young.

Frederick McDanel, later in life

Francis “Effie” Braden, Frederick’s wife.

I believe the man in this this photo may be Fred McDanel. The older woman in the back on the right may be Fred's mother, Lydia Ann Marquis McDanel, and the other older woman (left, in front row) may be Effie. The child could be Fred M. Gordon (b.1922), the son of Marion McDanel and Clarence "Shad" Gordon — Fred and Effie's first grandchild, and Lydia's first great-grandchild.

Frederick died at age 57. Here is the transcription of Frederick’s obituary taken from a copy of the Beaver Falls Tribune, 21 and 22 July 1926:

Transcript of Fred McDanel’s Obituary
from the Beaver Falls Tribune, July 21, 1926
Fred McDanel, president and treasurer of the Fred McDanel Lumber Company of New Brighton entered the hospital at ________:20 pm Tuesday evening__________. Mr McDanel was 58 years of age and a lifelong resident of New Brighton. He was always active in the best interests of the community and his loyalty to his principles and honesty and integrity won for him the highest esteem of his associates. He was a member of the Pittsburgh commandery No. 1, Knights Templar, Syria Temple Shrine, Harmony Chapter 206, R.A.M., consistory of New Castle, Union Lodge 259, F. & A. M, held at New Brighton, B.P.O.E. of Beaver Falls, Beaver Valley Council U.C.T. of America, No. 464; and the Community Club of New Brighton. He was the president of the board of education of which he had been a member of 23 years, a director of the Beaver County Trust company, also a director of the Second New Brighton Building & Loan Association. He leaves his wife, Effie Braden McDanel and two daughters, Marion Gordon of Beaver and Helen Brubaker of New Brighton; also his mother, Mrs. R.B. McDanel of Detroit.  Two sisters and three brothers also survive. The time of the funeral services will be announced later.

Transcript of Fred McDanel’s Funeral
from the Beaver Falls Tribune, 22 July 1926
Services for the late Fred McDanel will be held at the family home, 620 Sixth Avenue, New Brighton, Friday afternoon at 2 o’clock, Rev. Robert Axtell, pastor of the First Presbyterian chruck, officiating. Burial will be in Beaver Cemetery.