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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)
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