Revised 4/10/2017. Copyright @2017; The following Documentary Timeline has been compiled and created by Paul Rhetts. It may be copied for research purposes; but it may not be reproduced for inclusion in any printed or electronic distribution of any kind without the express written permission of the author. Any requests to use this information should be sent to Paul Rhetts, LPDPress@q.com.
Daniel Webster FISHER (1838-1913) m. Amanda D. KOUNS (1837-1911)
s/o Daniel Hain Fischer (1796-1873) and Martha Middleswarth (1794-1877)
d/o Michael Kouns (1804-1881) and Mary Kouns (1814-1889)
Daniel Webster and Amanda Kouns were 7th Cousins 3x removed. Balthasar Fischer was her 9GGF.
February 1837 Amanda Kouns born in Mason, Virginia; (listed as Pt. Pleasant, Mason, WV indaughter’s marriage license dated July 29, 1907)
1838 Jan 17 Daniel Fisher born in Arch Spring, Sinking Valley, Huntingdon County, PA (Blair, Pennsylvania)
1840 Federal Census lists Daniel as part of Daniel Hain Fischer’s household. Heidelberg, Berks, PA
1840 Federal Census in Mason, Virgina. Lists Michael Kouns father and two female children under age 5.
1850 Federal Census Tyrone Two, Blair PA; lists Daniel Webster as part of Daniel Hain Fischer’s family as 12 yrs old (doc)
1850 Federal Census in 38th District Mason, Virginia. Lists Michael Kouns father age 46, mother Mary age 37, Amanda age, sister Elizabeth C. age 13, sister Mary C age 3, and grandmother Susanna Kouns age 75. [lists VA as her birthplace [Mason was VA until 1863 Jun 20]
1852 Daniel Webster attended Academies at Milnwood Academy in Shade Gap, PA and later completed college preparatory at Airy View Academy (both in Harrisburg, PA area)
1857 Daniel Webster graduated from Jefferson College (some sources say Lafayette College, Cannonburg, PA)
1860 Federal Census Jackson WV [Amanda not listed in Census for her parents]
1860 Daniel Webster ordained a Presbyterian Minister in Hanover, Indiana.
1860 Daniel Webster graduated from Western Theological Seminary, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
1860 Apr Daniel Webster accepted by Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions for service and appointed to Siam; ordained by the Presbytery of Huntingdon.
1860 Apr 4 marriage license issued by Jackson County Court Clerk’s office (Jackson County Marriage License Register p 145)
1860 Apr 25 Daniel Webster married Amanda Kouns in Jackson, VA; Amanda became ill shortly after wedding and as they were preparing to sail for Siam, the journey was postponed and Daniel had to resign from the appointment. (WV Marriage Index; WV Marriage Register p145) (doc) Amanda not included in Federal Census for Jackson County, Virginia with her parents taken on 11 July 1860; (both named in Marriage license of daughter Mary Edith Fisher dated July 29,1907) WV Marriage Index list place of marriage as Jackson, WV, 1860. (A Human Life: Marriage to Amanda D. Kouns, reflections on Marriage —On the 25th of April I was married at Ravenswood, Va., to Amanda D. Kouns, the daughter of Michael Kouns, the leading elder of the Presbyterian church at that place, and the owner of a body of land on the river below the town, this being part of a tract originally entered by George Washington [Kouns, her maternal grandfather].
1860 Jul 18 Federal Census Lower Heidelberg, Berks, Pennsylvania; lists Daniel 63 (farmer), Susannah 62, Daniel 27 (day laborer) – NOT OUR Daniel W or his father or mother
1860 Autumn Daniel Webster 1st Pastorate at Thalia Street Church in New Orleans, LA
1861 Jun Daniel Webster left church in New Orleans due to the start of the Civil War.
1861 Fall-1876 Daniel Webster Pastorate at First Presbyterian Church in Wheeling, WV.
1862 Jul 4 Son Walter Lowrie Fisher born in Wheeling, VA [m. Mabel Taylor 22 Apr 1891 in Boston, Middlesex, MA] (listed in father’s 1870 Federal Census record (July 6) in 4th Ward, Wheeling, OH (WV) p. 9; age 8; and 1880 Federal Census record (June 8) in Hanover Twp, Jefferson, IN, p12; age 17)
1863 Oct Daniel Webster Civil War Draft Registration in WV. Daniel Webster listed as a minister and married. He was living on 4th Street in Wheeling.
1866 Daniel Webster served on Presbyterian General Assembly
1866 Jan 25 Son Howard Lowrie Fisher born in Wheeling, VA [m. Sara Katharine Conner 10 Jan 1896 in New Albany, Floyd, IN] (listed in father’s 1870 Federal Census record (July 6) in 4th Ward, Wheeling, OH (WV) p. 9; age 4; and 1880 Federal Census record (June 8) in Hanover Twp, Jefferson, IN, p12; age 114)
1869 Oct 8 Daughter Mary Edith Fisher born in Wheeling, VA [m. Halbert Hains Britan] (listed in father’s 1870 Federal Census record (July 6) in 4th Ward, Wheeling, OH (WV) p. 9; age 10)
1870 Jul 6 Federal Census in Wheeling, Ward 4, Ohio, WV. Lists Daniel W age 35, Amanda age 32, Walter M age 8, Howard age 4, Mary E. age 9/12, Faney Garner age 20, Amanda Mountz age 13, Mary Ryland age 39, Cary Ryland age 16, and Samuel Ryland age 20. (doc)
1873 Nov 27 father Daniel Hain died in Berks, PA
1874 Daniel Webster served on Presbyterian General Assembly
1876 May 3 Daniel Webster applied for passport (#49456) for purpose of traveling to Great Britain, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, France, Belgium, and Holland. Description of Daniel W: 38 yrs old, 5’8” tall, rather high forehead, light brown eyes, rather large nose, medium mouth, prominent chin, dark hair, rather dark complexion, and oval face. (doc)
1876 Daniel Webster Trip abroad
1876-1879 Daniel Webster Pastorate at Second Presbyterian Church in Madison, IN.
1877 Jul 26 mother Martha died in Blair, PA
1879 Jul 8 Daniel Webster Board of Trustees came within one vote of dissolving the College. Board of Trustees voted to reduce faculty salaries and that of the president by 25 percent. President Heckman resigned in protest. Daniel Webster Fisher, 10th president of Hanover College, 1879-1907. Assets of Hanover College: $145,000.
1880 Jun 8 Federal Census at Hanover, IN. Lists Daniel W. age 42, Amanda age 43, Walter L. age 17, Howard F age 14, and Mary E age 10. Daniel’s occupation listed as President, Hanover College (doc)
1880 Sep Women officially admitted to full privileges as students at Hanover College.
1881 May 11 Amanda’s father Michael died Ravenswood, Jackson, WV
1881 Nov 17 Freshman beanies first worn.
1882 First telephone installed in Hanover.
1882 Jan 2 Nu of Kappa Alpha Theta chartered.
1882 May First Freshman Excursion (boat ride).
1882 Dec College Point House, a residence hall, completed.
1883 Jun 13 First college Y.M.C.A. building built for that purpose in the world dedicated.
1883 Jun 14 First woman, Calla Harrison, graduated from Hanover College.
1884 Nov 13 Dedication of Donnell Chapel in the College Building, later named Classic Hall.
1885 The Point House was erected.
1885 photograph of Hanover College faculty, with Daniel W. (photo)
1885 Daniel Webster Author of The Presbyterian minister
1886 Sep First sorority house in Indiana. The one-room house just east of the Hanover Presbyterian Church was occupied by Kappa Alpha Theta.
1887 Establishment of the Department of Music and Art.
1887 Nov 17 Hanover won state collegiate football championship by defeating Butler in final round of tournament. Other colleges competing were Franklin, Indiana University, Purdue, and Wabash.
1889 Daniel Webster served on Presbyterian General Assembly
1889 Astronomical observatory built and equipped.
1889 Daniel Webster Author of The ideals of the Christian scholar, or, The world's salutation to the graduate
1889 Daniel Webster appointed by General Assembly President Harrison to represent the Assembly during a visit to the U.S. Mint. During this period he also served as a director of McCormick Theological Seminary, in Chicago.
1889 Feb Chrestomathean Literary Society formed.
1889 Oct 26 Amanda’s mother Mary died Ravenswood, Jackson, WV
1890 Sigma Chi house, later called Tower House, built. Was first Sig house in the nation and said to be the second frat house built in the United States. [Commemorative plaque erected Oct 1, 2016 honoring Walter L Fisher’s role in establishing Tower House]
1891 First college yearbook, called the Crow, published.
1892 May 28 Daniel Webster applied for passport (#40016); Description: 54 yrs old, 5’7” tall, prominent forehead, dark grey eyes, prominent nose, medium mouth, round chin, black slightly grey hair, dark complexion, and medium face. (doc)
1893 Daniel Webster author of Great convictions : a baccalaureate sermon
1895 Daniel Webster author of The coming kingdom : a baccalaureate sermon
1896 Daniel Webster author of The Christ of the ages : a baccalaureate sermon
1896 First Gymnasium built.
1897 Jan 22 Edward Plannette, Hanover's entrant in the Indiana State Oratorical Association's annual competition, won first place. Old Science Hall built.
1897 Daniel Webster author of Socialism in Italy
1898 May 21 Hanover's tennis doubles team (W. A. Oldfather and W.L. Whallon) won state championship. Whallon also won singles championship. It was the first of many such victories up to 1919. Winners included John Adams, A.K. Whallon, C.H. Oldfather, Harold Mann, Hursel Manaugh, Allen and Henry Montgomery.
1898 Daniel Webster listed in Presbyterian Ministerial Directory
1899 Feb 1 Daniel Webster applied for passport (#2482). Description: 61 yrs old, 5’6” tall, medium forehead, dark eyes, medium nose, medium mouth, round chin, dark mixed with grey hair, slightly dark complexion, thin face. (doc)
1900 Daniel Webster author of The future of the kingdom: a baccalaureate sermon
1900 Daniel Webster served on Presbyterian General Assembly; appointed to committee for changes to Westminster Confession of Faith and assisted in shaping the “Brief Statement of the Reformed Faith,” which the Assembly adopted in 1902.
1900 Baldridge Gate erected. It was given by Mrs. W.H. Sutherland in memory of her father, the Rev. S.C. Baldridge, Class of 1849.
1900 Jun 5 Board of Trustees named college building Classic Hall.
1900 Jun 9 Federal Census at Hanover, Indiana. Lists Daniel age 62, wife Amanda age 63, Edith age 31, and Laura Brookan age 23. States that Daniel and Amanda had been married for 40 years. (doc)
1901 Feb 16 First men's varsity intercollegiate basketball game with Hanover defeating Moores Hill 28-7.
1903 Hendricks Library, a gift of Mrs. Thomas A. Hendricks, built. Thomas A. Hendricks, former U.S. Vice President, attended Hanover College 1837-1840.
1903 Feb 13 First women's varsity intercollegiate basketball game with Moores Hill defeating Hanover 21-14
1903 Daniel Webster author of The land of Thor; or, A journey through Norway
1903 Daniel Webster author of The broken alabaster box
1904 Daniel Webster author of Twentieth century Christianity : a baccalaureate sermon
1904 Men's basketball varsity record 7-1 including victories over University of Cincinnati (32-22, 29-12) and over Miami University (44-16).
1906 First issue of The Revonah, college yearbook, published. Pure Food and Drug Act voted on by Congress, written by Harvey Washington Wiley, Class of 1867.
1906 Daniel Webster author of A little while, " or, "Our work in life and our time to do it : a baccalaureate sermon
1907 Hanover's first and only Rhodes Scholarship winner named, A.K. Whallon '05.
1907 Jul 29 daughter Mary Edith marriage license (#583) in Jefferson County, IN lists Daniel W and Amanda as her parents and gives dates and locations of their births (doc)
1907 Aug 12 Daniel Webster applied for Passport (#39240) for both Daniel W and Amanda; states he is 69 yrs; 5’ 6-1/2” with full forehead, brownish grey eyes, slightly Roman nose, medium mouth, medium chin, iron grey hair, darkish complexion, and oval face. (doc)
1908 William Alfred Millis becomes the 11th President of Hanover College, 1908-1929.
1908 Amanda and Daniel moved to household of son Howard Fisher in Washington DC
1909 Daniel Webster author of A Human Life: An Autobiography with Excursuses; ),“married at Ravenswood, VA to Amanda D Kouns, the daughter of MichaelKouns, the leading elder of the Presbyterian Church at that place, andthe owner of a body of land on the river below the town, this beingpart of a tract originally entered by George Washington [Kouns].”
1910 Apr 28 Federal Census at Precinct 10, Washington, DC. Lists Howard Fisher age 44, Katherine C age 38, son Elisha B. age 11, Daniel W age 72, and Amanda R age 73. Howard was Daniel and Amanda’s 2nd son, born 1866. (doc)
1911 Daniel Webster author of Calvin Wilson Mateer: Forty-Five Years A Missionary in Shantung, China, A Biography
1911 Daniel Webster author of The unification of the churches; a present day study
1911 Mar 8 Daniel Webster will filed in Washington DC (doc; needs transcription)
1911 Mar 22 Amanda D died in Washington DC at home of son Howard; she was buried at Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Hanover, Indiana; (DC Selected Deaths Index #2115392 cn197899) age 74 Howard Lowrie Fisher confirmed her death as 3/22/1911]
1911 Mar 22 Obit in Washington Times newspaper
1911 Mar 23 Obit in Indianapolis Star newspaper
1911 Mar 23 Obit in Washington Times newspaper
1911 Mar 23 Obit in Washington Post newspaper
1911 Mar 24 Obit in Washington Post newspaper
1911 Mar 25 Amanda buried at Presbyterian Cemetery Hanover IN; Headstone, Presbyterian Cemetery Hanover IN Inscription: “Amanda D. Fisher Died March 22, 1911”
1912 Jan 27 Daniel Webster applied for US Passport (#65959) in Washington, DC (stated residence); states he was 74 years old; 5 feet 9 inches tall; high forehead; grey eyes; regular nose; moustache; square chin; grey hair; fair complexion; oval face (doc)
1913 Jan 28 Daniel Webster died in Washington, DC age 75 at 20th & Kalorama Sts, Mendata Apts. [District of Columbia Select Deaths Index #209304] (doc) Buried at Second Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Hanover, IN. INSCRIPTION: Daniel W Fisher Died January 28, 1913; Amanda D Fisher Died March 22 1911 (photo)
RECORDS/DOCUMENTS Daniel Amanda
Birth
Death X
1840 Census X
1850 Census X X
1860 Census
1860 Marriage X X
1862 son Walter Lowrie Fisher born
1866 son Howard Lowrie Fisher born
1869 dau Mary Edith Fisher BRITAN born
1870 Census X X
1876 Passport Appl X
1880 Census X X
1892 Passport Appl X
1898 Presb Directory X
1899 Passport Appl X
1900 Census X X
1910 Census X X
1912 Passport Appl X
1922 Passport Appl for son X
Gravestone X X
Burial X X