Van D. McDaniel lived in Mason County, WV.  He was the son of Hutchinson and Hannah Johnson McDaniel.  He was born about 1836.

Van was mustered into the 13th WVI on 9 October 1862, at Point Pleasant, WV, having been commissioned as Captain 12 September 1862.  He was 26 years old on the date he was mustered in.  He died of disease on 9 September 1863 at Point Pleasant, WV, and is reportedly buried in Pioneer Cemetery in that town, along with other members of his family.  (Machir, V.S.  [1972].  Mason County, W.Va., Cemetery Inscriptions.  Middleport, OH:  Quality Print Shop).

His wife was Frances E. Ball, born 1839, VA/WV, daughter of Thomas and Julia Hogg Ball.  They were married in Mason County, WV.  The marriage license was dated 21 February 1859 (Hesson, J.C.  [1997].  Mason County, West Virginia Marriages, 1806-1915.  Baltimore:  Genealogical Publishing Co.)  After Van died, Frances remarried to James Somerville.  She died in 1916, and is buried in the Somerville family cemetery in Robinson District, Mason County, WV.  (Machir, V.S.  [1972].  Mason County, W.Va., Cemetery Inscriptions.  Middleport, OH:  Quality Print Shop).