John Thomas Daniel, Sr. and Leona Brown Daniel Rosenwald School Collection

John Thomas Daniel, Sr., born in 1900, was a native of Chatham County, North Carolina, the son of the late John and Ida Daniel.

His early education was at Peeksville School, Durham, North Carolina. He received the Bachelor of Arts Degree from North Carolina A&T College, Greensboro, North Carolina, the Master of Arts Degree from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and the Master of Arts Degree from Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, New York.

Mr. Daniel became the principal at the Pender County Training School in Rocky Point, North Carolina in 1931. For thirty years, under his leadership, the school developed into an educational center worthy of note. Many of the graduating students have made outstanding contributions in their various fields of endeavor. Under his well-directed passion for humanity and actual experience, he recognized the deep satisfaction that an education provides and that it is an on-going process. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the community, his civic responsibilities and other phases of human welfare, he received many citations for meritorious public service. He symbolizes a history of achievement, a record of integrity and the recollection of a life of useful, unselfish service to humanity in which children and youth played a vital part.

Those who worked most closely with him were impressed by his superior mind and his disciplined, resolute will. These qualities endeared him to his family and friends.

Leona Brown Daniel, daughter of the late David and Elizabeth Brown, was born in Washington, North Carolina in 1908. She completed her high school education in the Washington Public Schools. Leona Brown Daniel received the Bachelor of Science Degree from North Carolina Winston-Salem State University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the Master of Arts Degree from North Carolina College, Durham, NC, and the Professional Diploma from Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, New York.

For thirty years, Leona Brown Daniel served as an educator in Pender County, North Carolina. Initially, she taught at Pender County Training School, Rocky Point, North Carolina and after several years, she became Supervisor of the Pender County Elementary Public Schools for black children.

Leona Brown Daniel served on many boards and belonged to many educational organizations. Most notably, she served on the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Teachers Association. She also served as President of the North Carolina Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers, was the first black as Commission Member for the North Carolina Elementary Schools, and the first black to the White House Conference on Education from North Carolina as well as a member of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

The Daniels have two children, Dr. John Thomas Daniel, Jr. and Dr. Ida Elizabeth Daniel Dark.

Note written by Dr. Ida Elizabeth Daniel Dark