Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Death Claims Former Slave - Daniel Giles

The Marietta Daily Times, December 12, 1922

Daniel Giles, colored, died at the City Hall late Monday afternoon, following an attack of neuralgia of the heart that he suffered while walking on Second street near the Union Station.  He was found in a dying condition on the street, and the police procured an automobile and took him to the City Hall, where Dr. F. S. McGee attended him.

The last of his immediate family, but little is known of Daniel Giles, other than he was born in slavery at Vicksburg, Mississippi, some sixty-odd years ago.  His father was killed in the Confederate army, and when Daniel was but a small boy his mother, Hanna Giles, brought him north, finding a home at Williamstown where they spent a few years before they came to Marietta.

Mrs. Giles soon found that she could better earn a livelihood for herself and her boy in Marietta, so she came across the river, and found quarters in Church street, living for many years in a house owned by Mrs. Jacob Dye.  She was employed about homes of a number of the older families of the city, was one of the old-time colored women who won many friends, and her death a decade or so ago was mourned by many.

The son, Daniel, had grown to manhood and had learned the barber trade at which he worked all during his early life, and many men of today will recall his Green street shop wherein they got their hair cut when they were small boys.  After the death of his mother, Daniel gradually drifted out of the trade that he had followed and for the past ten years or so, had worked at odd jobs about the city.  Recently, he had assisted with the janitor work about the court house.

Following his death, the body was removed to Doudna & McClure's parlors, where it was prepared for burial, and there it is expected funeral services will be held either on Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning.  Burial will be made by the side of the mother in Mound cemetery.


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