Historical Marker

Josiah Martin Daniel

Historical marker location:
100 block S. Colket Ave., near SW 1st St., Kerens, Texas
( SW 1st and Colket streets)
Marker installed: 2000
Marker size: 27" x 42"

(January 27, 1880 - February 20, 1968) Josiah "Joe" Martin Daniel was born in Wadeville to Theophilus Smith Daniel and Lelia Wisener Daniel. He was reared in Kerens and attended military school in North Carolina, graduating in 1900. He attended the University of Texas at Austin, but left in 1904 when a boll weevil infestation in Navarro County destroyed his family's cotton crop and their finances were diminished. Daniel worked at the First National Bank of Kerens and married Nellie Mae Hines of Tyler. Widowed in 1907, he married Jessie Mae Johnson of Corsicana in 1911. By 1913 he was a partner in the insurance firm of Daniel & Stockton. He joined the Texas National Guard and became mayor of Kerens. He was reelected twice and resigned in 1916 to go on active duty for the National Guard. He was called up to the U. S. Army in its operations in west Texas in pursuit of the Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa. During World War I he served in the army's 36th Division and was discharged as a captain. Joe Daniel went to work for the Lone Star Gas Company about 1929. He moved to Abilene in 1931, and to Corsicana in 1937. During and after World War Ii Daniel served in the Texas State Guard, retiring in 1954 with the rank of colonel. Daniel assisted Gov. Beauford Jester of Corsicana in creating the Veterans Affairs Commission in 1947. As its first chairman, he led the commission in providing valuable services to more than one million Texas veterans. Joe and Jessie Daniel returned to Kerens in 1952, shortly after his retirement from business, and his Veterans Commission term ended in 1953. Daniel served Kerens and Navarro County in a variety of civic, economic and historic preservation activities. (2000)

As one of the most visible programs of the Texas Historical Commission (THC), historical markers commemorate diverse topics in Texas history, including: the history and architecture of houses, commercial and public buildings, religious congregations, and military sites; events that changed the course of local and state history; and individuals who have made lasting contributions to the state, community organizations, and businesses.

municipal official World War II military topics
The Battle of San Jacinto fought on April 21, 1836, was the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution, and led to the capture of Santa Anna and the end of the conflict.
Texas random facts
Navarro County, located in the northeastern part of Texas, has a rich and diverse history that dates back thousands of years. The area was originally home to Native American tribes, including the Caddo and Comanche, who settled along the Trinity River. European explorers and settlers arrived in the 18th century, with Spanish explorers such as Domingo Terán de los Ríos making expeditions through the region.

During the 19th century, the area that is now Navarro County became part of the Republic of Texas and later the state of Texas. In 1848, the county was officially established and named after José Antonio Navarro, a prominent Tejano leader and signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. The county seat, Corsicana, was established in 1848 and quickly grew due to its location along the railroad.

Corsicana became known as the "Oil City" in the early 20th century when significant oil discoveries were made in the county. The discovery of the Corsicana oilfield in 1894 brought an economic boom to the area, leading to the establishment of numerous oil companies and refineries. The county's economy flourished as a result, with Corsicana becoming a prosperous industrial and manufacturing center.

In addition to its oil industry, Navarro County has a strong agricultural heritage. Cotton farming was widespread in the county during the 19th and early 20th centuries, with large plantations and slave labor playing a significant role. Today, the county continues to be an important agricultural region, with cattle ranching, corn, and wheat farming being key industries.

Overall, Navarro County's history is marked by its Native American roots, European settlement, oil discoveries, and agricultural prominence. Today, the county retains its historical significance while also embracing modern industries and attractions.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Navarro County, Texas.

  • 1846 - Navarro County established as one of the original counties of Texas
  • 1848 - Corsicana chosen as the county seat
  • 1850 - First courthouse built in Corsicana
  • 1861-1865 - Navarro County heavily impacted by the American Civil War
  • 1868 - Construction of the second courthouse in Corsicana
  • 1871 - Corsicana becomes an important trading center for cotton
  • 1881 - First discovery of natural gas in Corsicana leads to development of the oil industry
  • 1894 - Construction of the third and current courthouse in Corsicana
  • 1900 - Corsicana becomes the first Texas city to establish a municipal airport
  • 1930s - Navarro County affected by the Great Depression; agriculture and oil industries suffer
  • 1942-1945 - Corsicana Naval Air Station plays a significant role during World War II
  • 1956 - Corsicana becomes the birthplace of the Collin Street Bakery fruitcake
  • 1960s-1970s - Navarro College is established and begins to grow
  • 1980s-1990s - Corsicana becomes a popular filming location for movies and TV shows
  • 2005 - Hurricane Katrina evacuees temporarily housed in Navarro County
  • 2010 - Corsicana celebrates its sesquicentennial anniversary
  • 2017 - Corsicana locates one of the largest oil fields in Texas in Wolfberry Trend
  • 2020 - Navarro County impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic