The Daniels – Stalnaker Families Come to Cavendish

David Hobart Daniels and Martha Ellen Stalnaker

David Hobart Daniels

David Hobart Daniels was born on February 8, 1858 in Randolph County, West Virginia, to Allison and Jerusha (Chenoweth) Daniels.  Both his father Allison Daniels  and his mother Jerusha (Chenoweth) Daniels were born in Randolph County, West Virginia.

The Daniels, Chenoweth and Stalnaker families were early settlers of what is now West Virginia.  All three families are said to have come to the area just after the Revolutionary War.

Martha Ellen Stalnaker

Martha Ellen Stalnaker was born on January 14, 1857, near Leadsville, in Randolph County, West Virginia, to Oliver Cromwell and Susan Rachel (Mustoe) Stalnaker. Both of her parents were also natives of West Virginia.

Marriage

David and Martha were married on September 21, 1879, in Randolph County, West Virginia.  The 1880 census shows David and Martha were living in Beverly District, Randolph County,  with David’s parents Allison and Jerusha.

David and Martha would remain in Randolph County, West Virginia for the next fourteen years.  During this time their family grew.  There were seven, possibly eight* children born in Randolph County.

Idaho Bound

David, Martha, along with their six children came West to Idaho, in 1893.

It appears that David and Martha’s decision to come West was due to the Stalnaker family’s migration.  Martha’s parents Oliver C. and Susan, along with four of her brothers and a sister also settled in what was then Nez Perce County, Idaho.  The only other member of David’s family to come West was,  a niece, Leann, who was married to Martha’s brother James Asbury “Doc” Stalnaker.

Making Their Mark

David and Martha would settle in Cavendish and become active members of the community.  David was a founder and charter member of the I.O.O.F. chapter in Cavendish:

He was a member of the Methodist church and a charter member and one of the founders of the Cavendish Odd Fellows lodge. — (Source) Clearwater Tribune – June 19, 1952

While living in Cavendish, David and Martha would add three more children to their large family, Zinn Sturms, in 1894; Fred Hobart, in 1896 and Jesse David, in 1899.

Martha would die in 1926 and David would move to Spokane, Washington.  David remained in the Spokane area until his death at 94, in June of 1952.

David, Martha and their son Perry C. are buried at Pine Hill Cemetery, Southwick, Idaho.

*Martha’s obituary states there were eleven children born to her and David, three were born in Idaho.  It is assumed the other eight were born in West Virginia.