Edward Daniels facts for kids

Edward Dwight Daniels (1828–1916) was an interesting American. He was a scientist who studied rocks (a geologist), someone who fought against slavery (an abolitionist), and a soldier during the American Civil War. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts.

A Scientist and Teacher

When he was 21, Edward moved to Wisconsin. He wanted to become a geologist. In 1853, he became Wisconsin's first state geologist. This meant he was the official expert on the state's rocks and land. He also taught at two colleges: Ripon College and Carroll College.

A Strong Voice Against Slavery

Edward Daniels strongly believed that slavery was wrong. People who felt this way were called abolitionists. He helped a person named Joshua Glover, who was an enslaved person trying to escape in 1854. Edward also helped plan to free another abolitionist, Sherman Booth, from prison in 1860.

He was part of a group called "Free-Staters." In 1856, he joined an expedition led by Jim Lane into Kansas. This was during a time known as Bleeding Kansas. People were fighting over whether Kansas would allow slavery or not.

Fighting in the Civil War

When the American Civil War began, Edward Daniels quickly joined the fight. In 1861, he helped create the 1st Wisconsin Volunteer Cavalry Regiment. He was the leader of this group from 1861 to 1863.

His unit was first stationed in Missouri. Edward led some successful raids into Arkansas. However, his commanders did not approve of these actions. Because of this, Edward Daniels resigned from his position in 1863.

Life After the War

In 1868, Edward Daniels and his wife, Ione Gove Daniels, bought a large estate in Virginia called Gunston Hall. This land had belonged to the family of George Mason.

Edward tried many new ideas on his land. He wanted to create special communities where people lived and worked together in an ideal way. These were called utopian schemes. He also tried new ways of farming. He even started a school for formerly enslaved people.

In the 1880s, Edward and his wife were involved with a community project in Mexico. It was called "Topolobampo" and was led by Albert Kimsey Owen. It's not clear if they actually moved there.

Politics in Virginia

While living in Virginia, Edward Daniels was active in politics. This was during the time known as Reconstruction. This period was about rebuilding the South after the Civil War.

He worked as an editor for a Republican newspaper in Richmond called The Daily State Journal. He also ran for a seat in the United States House of Representatives. However, he did not win the election. He ran against a former Confederate officer named Eppa Hunton.

Edward Daniels passed away in Virginia in May 1916.