III. Mary Ann Sylvest was born Feb. 16, 1854, probably in what is now Washington Parish, since the Federal Census lists this family in the Parish. She was married on Dec. 20, 1882, to Elias McDaniel, a widower with five children. Marriage records in the Tangipahoa Parish Courthouse at Amite give his age as 37 and hers at 28 along with this marriage date. The ceremony was performed by Rev. C.F. Crawford, a Gospel Minister, and witnessed by D.A. Hogan, Z. Graham and E.B. Blades. Mary Anns mother died on Sept. 6, 1882, six months and twenty days after her marriage.

She passed away at the home of her daughter Winnie Clotilde Peters at Alexandria, Louisiana on June 1, 1935. She is buried beside her husband in the Masonic Section of the Spring Creek Baptist Cemetery at Spring Creek, Louisiana.

Mary Ann and Elias lived most of their lives on a section of land laying North of Spring Creek. In the year 1900 they moved, church letter and all to the Canaan Baptist Church Community. This move did not prove successful for in 1903 they moved back to their own section of land and remained until the end.

It was in Mary Anns home that her immigrant father passed away. Francis Sylvest died Oct. 11, 1896. He had planned a short visit with his daughter and her family after having spent a couple of weeks with his son, Nehemiah. He was making his home with his daughter Rosa Ellen when in early September this visit came into his heart. He saddled his horse, for he kept a good one, and stopped for a couple of weeks at Nehemiahs then as planned left for Spring Creek. Very soon after arriving he became ill and death came within about two weeks.

It was during his final illness that a letter came from his younger son John Levi who had left home as a teenager never to return. John had drifted South into Florida and married and had a family before writing to his father. It was believed that Francis was too near death to have been aware of the letter. It was read to him by Mary Ann.

Francis had often lamented the fact that he had not kept in touch with his mother and compared this with his own son who had strayed away. He felt very remorseful at times and begged Gods forgiveness.
Mary Ann assumed the roll of mother to the five children of Elias. Her dedicated Christian influence won the hearts of all who knew her in this relationship. Four children were born to Mary and Elias.

A. Homer Elias McDaniel was born Oct. 3, 1884 and died Feb. 13, 1954. He lies buried at Spring Creek.
B. Winnie Clotilde McDaniel was born July6, 1888 and died July 20, 1950. She lies buried at Spring Creek.
C. Spencer Sylvest McDaniel was born Aug. 13, 1890.
D. Frank Wilton McDaniel was born May 3, 1894 and died Jan. 18, 1947. He lies buried at Spring Creek.

A. Homer Elias McDaniel was born Oct. 3, 1884 and died Feb. 13, 1954 of a heart attack. He lies buried in the Masonic Section of the Spring Creek Cemetery. He was married to Tince Ruby Singleton, who was born Oct. 27, 1887, the daughter of Robert Singleton. The ceremony was performed by Rev. I.E. Corkern and at his home in Kentwood, Louisiana. They lived their lives in the Spring Creek Community where they owned and operated a small farm about one mile North of the Post Office and Church. Homer served as best he could in the Spring Creek Baptist Church where they were lifetime members. He as church clerk for over twenty years and a Deacon more time than that while carrying on as Sunday School Superintendent. He loved his church and his Lord who purchased his salvation. Homer and Tince have six children.

1. Victoria Maxine McDaniel was born Jan. 28, 1907. She finished high school at Spring Creek and then entered Louisiana State Normal College, now Northwestern State College, at Natchitoches, Louisiana. After two years she transferred to Southeastern Louisiana College at Hammond where she earned her B.S. Degree. She has taught school most of the years of her life and most of this within the Hammond area. She was married to Edgar Starnes of Hammond, Louisiana. They own their home at 207 Cherry Street. They are active in the Woodland Park Baptist Church. They have one son. The Hammond zip code is 70401.

a. Edgar Starnes Jr. was born Nov. 26, 1946.

Audrey Willie McDaniel was born Dec. 7, 1908 at Springcreek. She finished high school there and was married to Patric Doolan of New Orleans, Louisiana. They live in Arabi, Louisiana where they are active in the Trinity Baptist Church. They have one child.

a. Patric Doolan was born Jan. 23, 1954.

3. Nettie Francis McDaniel was born at Spring Creek on Sept. 15, 1910. After finishing high school at Spring Creek, she entered training and became a Registered Nurse. She has worked at her profession and presently is employed in Kentwood, Louisiana. She was married to Floyd Walker and they have acquired her parents old home where they live with her mother. They have no children.

4. Talmadge Dewitt McDaniel was born Aug. 30, 1912 at Spring Creek where he later finished high school. He was married to Natalie Stafford, the daughter of Sidney Staffore of the Fisher Community near Franklinton. Natalie had two children by a former marriage Larry and Linda McDaniel, of no relation to Talmadge. Talmadge had two children by a previous marriage. He and Natalie have no children.

a. Robert McDaniel was born July 12, 1940.
b. Stephen McDaniel was born Nov. 13, 1942.

5. Dwilla Lurline McDaniel was born Jan. 13, 1916 at Spring Creek. She finished high school there before her marriage to Fernie McDaniel, the son of Ripley McDaniel of Pine Grove, Louisiana. There ceremony was performed by Rev. W.E. Akin, a Methodist Minister. Dwilla and Fernie own about three acres of land in the Western part of St. Helena Parish about three miles West of Pine Grove, Louisiana. They are active in the Pine Grove Baptist Church. They have five children.

a. Peggy McDaniel was born Jan. 21, 1939. She was married to Pearley Castle Sibley, the son of Pearly Sibley on Aug. 19, 1955. The ceremony was performed by Rev. C.F. Arvolaket, a Missionary Baptist Minister. It was witnessed by Dwilla and F.B. McDaniel.
b. Ralph McDaniel was born April 24, 1943.
c. Leslie McDaniel was born April 21, 1949.
d. Gloria McDaniel was born Aug. 13, 1951.
e. Shirley McDaniel was born Jan. 30, 1957.

6. Roger Homer McDaniel was born Nov. 9, 1917. He finished high school at Spring Creek and attended Southeastern Louisiana College at Hammond. He served our country in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was married to Iris Varnado, the daughter of Morris Varnado of Springcreek. They live in New Orleans. They are active in the work of the First Baptist Church in New Orleans, Louisiana. They have two children.

a. Bruce McDaniel was born Feb. 8, 1946.
b. Rickey McDaniel was born July 12, 1952.

B. Winnie Clotilde McDaniel was born July 6, 1888. She was married to William A. Peters of Sunbright, Tennessee by Rev. Earlie Corkern, a Baptist Minister in her parents home. William Peters was principal of Chesboro High School, South of Springcreek at that time. Winnie devoted her life to private piano teaching. Soon after their marriage they moved to Alexandria where each continued in their teaching professions. Winnie cared for her mother in her declining years and until her death in 1935. They have no children. Winnie passed away July 20, 1950 and lies buried beside her husband in the Masonic Section of the Springcreek Cemetery.

C. Spencer Sylvest McDaniel was born Aug. 13, 1890, at Springcreek, Louisiana. He was married to Minnie Lou Blades, the daughter of Aurelis and Mary Simmons Blades, by Rev. Walton, a Pastor in Kentwood, on June 8, 1920. Minnie Lou was born Jan. 23, 1903. Spencer worked as an operating Engineer at the Humble Oil Company Plant in Baton Rouge for thirty five years and until his retirement. They are active members of the First Baptist Church of Baton Rouge. They own their home at 2759 Madison Ave., Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802. They have four children.

1. Evelyn Elaine McDaniel was born April 13, 1923. She finished at Baton Rouge High School and Baton Rouge Business College. She was married to Wayne Loveless, the son of Harvey Loveless of Junction City, Kansas 66441. After a career span in the U.S. Air Force, Wayne has moved this family back to Baton Rouge, 265 Bonnie Drive, 70815. He is employed by Barnard & Burk Engineeres. They have three children.

a. David Michael Loveless was born March 1, 1947. Serving in Vietnam in 1967.
b. Larry Wayne Loveless was born March 15, 1948 and in 1967 he is serving in the U.S. Marine Corp.
c. James Harvey Loveless was born Jan. 3, 1954.

2. Melba Ontee McDaniel was born July 2, 1924. She is the namesake of Ontee Sylvest Bush, who as first cousin to Melbas father was the namesake of Francis Sylvests older sister back in Portugal. Ontee Sylvest married William Bush of Bogalusa, Louisiana. Melba graduated from Baton Rouge High School in May of 1941. She was married to Joseph Leo Pourcieu Jr. the son of Joseph Leo St. They own their home at 1901 Canyon Road, Birmingham, Alabama 35200. Leo is employed by the United State Steel Foundry. They have two children.

a. Patrick Bryan Pourcieu was born May 13, 1949.
b. Rebecca Lynn Pourcieu was born Sept. 24, 1954.

3. Hilda Margaret McDaniel was born Aug. 13, 1954. She is most affectionately known as Bobbye. She finished Baton Rouge High School and then completed a course at the Baton Rouge Business College. She was married to F. David Schaeffer, the son of Noah Schaeffer of Westminister, Maryland. He is in the lumber business there where they own their home at Route 3, Sullivan Road, Westminister, Maryland 21157. They have three children.

a. Dianne Lynn Schaeffer was born April 17, 1945.
b. David McDaniel Schaeffer was born May 31, 1947.
c. Lloyd Neil Schaeffer was born July 14, 1952.

4. Bonnie Faye McDaniel was born Sept. 30, 1931. She finished at Baton Rouge High School in May of 1948 and worked as a secretary for a few years before her marriage to Elmer Dennis Haymon, the son of Houston Haymon of Leesville, Louisiana. He is employed by the California Oil Company and works in Baton Rouge where they own their home at 2222 Duncan Drive, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802. They have two children.

a. Faye Lynn Haymon was born Aug. 21, 1958.
b. Brent Alan Haymon was born Oct. 3, 1960.

D. Frank Wilton McDaniel was born May 3, 1894. He died Jan. 18, 1947 and is buried at Springcreek with his parents. He was married to Margurite Magee, the daughter of Thomas J. Magee of Washington Parish. Margurite was born June 10, 1897. She has made Baton Rouge her home where most of her children settled. They have four children.

1. Frank Wendell McDaniel was born May 20, 1921. He served our country in the U.S. Marines during World War II and spent the entire three years in the South Pacific. He was married to Estelle Jefferies Dixon, the daughter of Vernon Jefferies of Baton Rouge. They own their home at 614 Harvey Drive, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70815. They have three children.

a. Janet Lynn McDaniel was born Oct. 23, 1953.
b. Pamela Jewell McDaniel was born Dec. 12, 1957.

2. Holcombe Cary McDaniel was born June 11, 1923. He served our country as a Paratrooper during World War in the European area. He is married and lives in Asheville, North Carolina 28800. They have one daughter.

a. Gilda McDaniel was born ___.

3. Shirley Magee McDaniel was born Sept. 14, 1925. She was married to Louis Alfred Wiltz Crais Jr., the son of Louis Alfred Wiltz Crais Sr., of New Orleans, Louisiana. They own their home at 708 Franklin Street, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70806. They have three children.

a. Tommy Wayne Crais was born Sept. 29, 1946.
b. Robert Garrell Crais was born May 12, 1949.
c. Suzaynne Annette Crais was born May 28, 1954.

4. Billie Jean McDaniel was born Sept. 17, 1929. She was married to Raymond Bridgeman Jr., of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Fleet Strickland, a Baptist Minister, at his home and witnessed by the brides uncle and aunt Homer McDaniel and Winnie Peters. They own their home at 4006 Adams Ave., Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802. They are active members of the First Methodist Church of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. They have two children.

a. Roderick Carey Bridgeman was born May 17, 1955.
b. Rebecca Jane Bridgeman was born June 7, 1956.

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