Major Daniel Webster Whittle was an influential songwriter of his day, working closely with Dwight L. Moody, but his name is not very common to us today. In older hymnals, you might not even find his name as he often wrote under the name "Elias Nathan" or "El Nathan". However, many are familiar with his songs, including I Know Whom I Have Believed, Moment by Moment, and Showers of Blessing.
Major Daniel Webster Whittle (as he was breveted at the end of the Civil War) was born in Massachusetts to George and Savilla Whittle in 1840. Not much is known about his childhood. As the Civil War was beginning in the United States in 1861, Major Whittle joined the 72nd Illinois Infantry. The following year he married a woman named Abbie Hanson and also left for battle.
Major Whittle would return from the battle over a year later, having been sent home due to a wounded arm. It was during this time that Whittle met D. L. Moody and they quickly became friends. In fact, his daughter would eventually marry Moody's son. Having been encouraged by Moody to do so, Major Whittle became an evangelist and started out working with Philip P. Bliss until Bliss' passing. It was not until 1875 that he began writing lyrics for hymns, but it is estimated that he wrote around 200. These lyrics were set to music by several others, including his daughter, Mary.
Major Whittle passed away in 1901 at the age of 60. In the 16 years that he wrote poems and lyrics, D. L. Moody believed that Major Whittle wrote some of the best hymns of the 17th century. His writings still resonate with us today and are sung by many church congregations.
Information adapted from:
https://www.wholesomewords.org/biography/bwhittle....
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/70926218/danie...
https://www.blueletterbible.org/hymns/bios/bio_w_h...
Photo taken from: