Anthony T. Daniels
Early Life
Anthony T. Daniels was born on November 24, 1893, with records indicating his birthplace as South Carolina, though other documentation reflects connections to New York and New Jersey. By the time of World War I, he was residing in Rye, New York, where he lived on New Street and worked as a chauffeur.
During the early twentieth century, Rye included a working population that supported the estates and households of wealthier residents. Daniels’s employment as a chauffeur reflects this local economic structure, while his presence in Rye places him within the town’s African American community at a time when such communities were establishing important social and economic foundations despite significant challenges.
World War I Service
Daniels registered for the draft on June 5, 1917, in Westchester County, New York, listing his residence in Rye and his occupation as a chauffeur. His registration reflects his position as a working resident within the community at the time of the nation’s mobilization for war.
He was inducted into military service on August 2, 1918, in Westchester County, New York, and was initially assigned to the 152nd Depot Brigade, where new soldiers were processed and trained.
He was subsequently transferred to Company D of the Automobile Replacement Draft at Camp Upton, New York, a major training and staging facility for troops preparing for overseas service. There, he became part of the Army’s developing motor transport system, which was increasingly vital to modern warfare.
Daniels later served with Depot Service Company No. 24 of the Army Service Corps, a logistical unit responsible for transportation, supply distribution, and support operations. Such units played a crucial role in maintaining the efficiency of the American Expeditionary Forces by ensuring that men and materials could be moved where needed.
He served overseas from September 20, 1918, to July 16, 1919, contributing to operations during the final phase of the war and the subsequent occupation period following the Armistice. His record indicates that he sustained no wounds.
He was honorably discharged on July 25, 1919.
Life After Service
Following the war, Daniels settled in New York City, where he continued working as a chauffeur and later as a porter in an office building. On December 27, 1920, he married Lillian Roache, and together they raised a family.
By 1930, he was living in Manhattan on East 130th Street, placing him within Harlem during a period of significant cultural and social transformation. This era, known as the Harlem Renaissance, marked a flourishing of African American cultural expression in literature, music, and the arts, situating Daniels within an important historical and cultural moment.
He later resided in California, including periods in San Diego and Oakland, before eventually returning to New York later in life.
Anthony J. Daniels died on February 7, 1976, at the age of 82 and was buried in East Farmingdale, New York.
At the time of his death, he was survived by his children and extended family.
Record Commentary: Excellent and historically significant profile, particularly highlighting African American service and postwar life in Harlem during the Renaissance period. Strong logistical military narrative with clear explanation of transport and service units.
Tier Rating: A+