Mintie Hill ¹

  General Notes:

TODO: Enter the obituary here.

In June 1998, Sarah Emaline Daniel Deaton collected information about the descendants of Walter and Mintie Daniel and wrote the following:

Walter F. Daniel and Mintie Hill were united in marriage on Easter Sunday, April 14, 1929 in the log home of Grandma Sarah Cathern Daniel. They were married in the afternoon after the regular church service at the Lebanon United Baptist Church. Elder Gussie Daniel (Augustus ?) performed the ceremony. The following is a little of the history of this marriage.

Mother and Daddy had known each other almost all their lives, even though they did not attend the same school. The schools would sometimes on Friday afternoon go to one of the other country schools for a ballgame. I believe it was on one of these afternoons that my Daddy watched as my Mother was running with her long hair flowing behind her in the wind; that he made the statement to himself, "Someday, I'm going to marry you, little girl!" My Daddy has always been a man of his word, and sure enough, years later, after going together for three years, he kept his word.

The bride's father, Grandpa Joseph Hill, would not even discuss marriage with the young couple. As Mintie was the oldest child of his and Grandma Rachel, he felt he culd not do without her help at home. Grandpa Hill got very upset and using his famous by-word said, "Tock gone it., Mintie, you know I can't do without you." (Meaning Mother's work on the farm and in the home.) He picked up his newspaper and pretended to be reading it. (Not noticing that he was holding it upside down!) At this point, Daddy told him they were going to get married whether he liked it or not and that he would not ask him again.

Great-Grandma Weaver had bought Mother material for a dress for her birthday almost two years before they were married. I understand the material was a beautiful blue, almost satin-like fabric. Mother told me how special it was in those days to have store-bought material since most dresses were made from what were referred to as "feed sacks"; the patterned cloth bags that dairy and other feeds were packed in. Mother made the dress and hung it away but not before telling Grandma Rachel that when she saw her wearing that dress, she would know she was going away to be married. On that Easter morning, as Mother came out dressed in the beautiful blue dress to go to church with Daddy, she said Grandma Rachel looked like she would sink through the floor. She followed Mother to the gate and I'm sure whether she was able to tell Mother or not, that in her heart, she prayed they would be happy.

The only transportation in those days was horse-back. Mother said the ladies would fold their long skirts up a bit and pin them so as not to wrinkle them while riding. She had ironed her clothes as flat as possible and tucked them into the folds of her pinned up dress to be able to take them with her without arousing the suspicion of her disapproving Father.

Off they went to church and their life together. Mother's baby sister, Aunt Mary, went with them. In the evening, after the wedding, Daddy convinced a good friend, Simon Smith, to take Mother's horse home and see that Aunt Mary got home safely. Simon is no longer with us to tell the story but from what Daddy tells me there was quite a commotion on Paint Creek that night when the news arrived, along with Mother's empty horse, that Walter and Mintie were married.

Mother returned home to visit her family several days later. She was met with open arms by Grandma Rachel. I understand Grandpa Joe would not talk to her at this time. It took him a long time to deal with it and I'm not sure he ever accepted it or Daddy, but Mother and Daddy did not let this or anything else come between them. They were married for almost 60 years and weathered some of the worst storms life could throw at them. With their deep love for each other and trust in the Good Lord above, they raised nine children--several of those during the depression years. They took care of my widowed Grandma Daniel and helped any friend or neighbor in need.

I cannot put into words all I feel for these two wonderful parents. They were always there for us as we were growing up -- teaching, training, taking us to church every weekend. These last 28 years, I have been a parent also. I never really understood or appreciated all the sacrifices my parents made until I was also the parent. Even so, if I could be but only half the parents they were to us, I'd be the best parent in the world today. I'm sure I speak for my sister and my brothers, when I say, I would not trade the memories I have of my Mother and Daddy for anything in the world.

Mintie married Walter Francis Daniel, son of William E. Daniel and Sarah Cathern Wright.