Take me back to the Oral History landing page.


Toby McDaniel - Rochester

Toby McDaniel obtained his first camera when he was in seventh grade, and by high school he was chasing after news stories in Advance, Indiana, turning his photos in to local newspapers. He continued to hone his skills as a journalist while serving in the U.S. Navy from 1958 to 1963, including a tour on the carrier USS Hornet. After earning a journalism degree from San Diego State University, Toby settled in Springfield in 1967 and spent his next thirty-seven years working for Springfield papers, writing a newspaper column on his observations of Illinois politics and the Springfield social scene. 

Interview Links

Abstract

Interview Session 01 (Audio)

Early life, marriage and enlistment in the U.S. Navy in 1958

Interview session 02 (Audio)

Navy experiences and life as a reporter/columnist for State Journal-Register


Photos

Caption:
Whitestown High School sophomore Toby McDaniel was dressed in black tie and top hat for Whitestown’s centennial celebration in 1951.

Where:
Whitestown

When:
1951

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo

Caption:
Seaman McDaniel shows 1958 light heavyweight champion Archie Moore his story about the world champion in the NTC Weekly Newspaper while the two were at the San Diego Airport.

Where:
San Diego Airport

When:
1958

Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.

Caption:
Toby took this photo of the USS Nereus and USS Sperry, both submarine tenders, while they were in port at San Diego in 1959.

Where:
San Diego

When:
1959

Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.

Caption:
Seaman McDaniel is peering out the hatch while aboard the USS Helena, a light cruiser, in 1960.

Where:
Unknown

When:
1960

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo

Caption:
Seaman McDaniel was at sea aboard the submarine tender USS Sperry in 1961 when a storm blew in.

Where:
Unknown

When:
1961

Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.

Caption:
Toby McDaniels’ official U.S. Navy photo – circa 1962.

Where:
Unknown

When:
Circa 1962

Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.

Caption:
Toby was assigned as a Journalist, 2nd class on the USS Hornet (CVS-12) from 1962-1963. This is an official US Navy photo of the legendary aircraft carrier.

Where:
Unknown

When:
1962-1963

Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.

Caption:
Toby McDaniel was aboard the USS Hornet in 1962-63 during its deployment in the western Pacific. Its mission at the time was to hunt Soviet submarines.

Where:
Unknown

When:
1962-1963

Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.

Caption:
In 1971 Toby was on assignment for the Illinois State Journal when he toured a sewer branch in downtown Springfield.

Where:
Springfield

When:
1971

Ownership:
Springfield State Journal-Register photo. May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.

Caption:
When Ringling Brothers circus came to Springfield in 1980 Toby got a ride on the lead elephant.

Where:
Springfield

When:
1980

Ownership:
Springfield State Journal-Register photo. May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.

Caption:
This photo of Toby McDaniel accompanied his column for the Springfield State Journal-Register in the 1990s.

Where:
Springfield

When:
1990s

Ownership:
Official State Journal-Register photo. May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.

Caption:
“Heroes, Honchos and Humdingers” was the book Toby McDaniel published in 1999.

Where:
Unknown

When:
1999

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo

Caption:
Toby McDaniel in action while at his State Journal Register desk circa 1999. He worked at the newspaper for thirty-five years.

Where:
Springfield

When:
Circa 1990

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo

Caption:
“Honk if you’re a Hooser” was the cover of McDaniel’s book, published in 2001.

Where:
Unknown

When:
2001

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo

Caption:
Toby was privileged to participate on an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. in 2016.

Where:
Washington, D.C.

When:
2016

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo



Social Links