Milton J. Daniels was born in Cobleskill, New York, and later moved to Rochester, Minnesota, where he held a position as deputy postmaster. He pursued education at Middlebury Academy, Wyoming County, New York, and subsequently volunteered for service in the American Civil War. Daniels rose through the military ranks, eventually being commissioned captain and commissary of subsistence by President Abraham Lincoln. After his military service, he transitioned into politics, serving in both the Minnesota State House of Representatives and the Minnesota State Senate, as well as holding leadership roles in state asylums. Later in life, he moved to California, where he engaged in horticultural pursuits and briefly served as a U.S. Representative from California.

Milton J. Daniels's political identity is marked by an unusual blend of fiscal conservatism and regional environmental stewardship. His advocacy for banking stability and involvement in founding the Union Savings Bank contrasts with his later horticultural pursuits in California, suggesting a localized approach to economic and environmental issues. Daniels's military background, including his service in the American Civil War and Indian War, adds a layer of calculated pragmatism to his policy stances, revealing a strategic alignment of regional interests with broader economic stability.