Biography of Daniel Brown

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Biography of
Daniel Brown
(1829 - 1898)


Daniel Brown was born in County Antrim, Ireland in 1829, the son of Patrick Brown and Isabella Welch. He came to Stephenson County, Illinois with his family in 1847. Like James Coursey, he went to California during the Gold Rush, although they are not found living near each other in the 1850 or 1852 California censuses. They did both return home to Illinois in 1857. In April 1858 Daniel married Bridget Murphy, sister of Mary Ann Murphy, whom James Coursey had married in September 1857.

Related Items:
Link to the book page at Archive.org.
Daniel's obituary.


Portrait and biographical album of Stephenson County, Illinois; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1888; p. 398-399

Daniel Brown, one of the citizens of Stephenson County, who has achieved success through perseverance, is the subject of this sketch. His magnificent farm lies on section 29, Kent Township. His parents were Patrick and Isabella (Welch) Brown, who were married in County Antrim, Ireland, and emigrated to Canada in 1832. The year after their arrival in that country Mrs. Brown died, and Mr. Brown left Canada and went to Monroe County, N. Y., where he lived about six years, and in the fall of 1840 came West and settled in Whiteside County, Ill., where he lived seven years. In 1847 he moved to Stephenson County, and settled in what is now Erin Township. He lived in that township until 1849, when he moved to Kent Township, where he lived until 1879, then removed to Northfield, Rice Co., Minn., where he died in 1880.

The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Brown is the subject of this sketch. He was born in County Antrim, Ireland, on the 29th of August, 1829, emigrated to this country with his parents and came with them to Stephenson County. During the excitement on account of the discovery of gold in California in 1849-50, he concluded to cross the plains to that State, and after many hardships and vicissitudes reached his destination, where he engaged in mining for two and in teaming for five years. During his seven years' residence in that country he met with moderate success. He returned to Stephenson County in March, 1857, where he has since resided, and has been engaged in farming and stock-raising. He owns 188 acres, nearly all of which is under cultivation. He has a complete set of farm buildings, ample for residence and the shelter of his stock.

Mr. Brown is a man for whom hardships and privations have no terrors. When he left for California to traverse thousands of miles through an almost unexplored country, he had but seventy-five cents, to use the parlance of that day, but six bits in his pockets. He drove an ox-team the entire distance, and more than half of what he earned during 120 days after he got to California was spent for his board and passage.

Mr. B. was married in Erin Township, Stephenson County, on the 8th of April, 1858, to Miss Bridget Murphy, daughter of Michael Murphy, an early settler of Stephenson County, who came here about 1838. Mrs. Brown was born in Canada, near St. Thomas, Feb. 20, 1836. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have seven living children: Mary A., who is the wife of John Moran, resides in Freeport, her husband being the janitor of the court-house; Sarah is the wife of Michael Miland, and resides in Kent Township; Isabella, who married Joseph Foley, resides in Lincoln, Neb.; the others are Edward, Ellen, Daniel and Catherine; John died when three years of age. For seventeen years Mr. Brown has held the office of Highway Commissioner, fifteen of which have been continuous service. He has been School Director for a long term of years. In politics he is a Democrat. Mr. Brown is a member of St. Mary's Church, of New Dublin. Mrs. Brown departed this life Aug. 11, 1887. She was also a member of St. Mary's Church at New Dublin.

Transcribed by Erica DeCoursey
2003