Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Barrett, Daniel 
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Deb Haines http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 February 7, 2008, 3:13 am

Author: Past and Present Will County IL; 1907

Daniel Barrett is one to whom fate has vouch-safed an honorable retirement in 
recognition of unfaltering toil and activity in former years. He has been 
identified with agricultural interests or engaged in the practice of 
veterinary surgery for thirty-eight years, and was also well known as a 
breeder of Norman horses but has now put aside the more arduous duties of life 
and is enjoying the fruits of his former toil. He was born in Florence 
township, April 15, 1852, and acquired his education in the schools of 
Wilmington, while spending his boyhood days in the home of his parents, 
William and Elizabeth (Kidney) Barrett. The father was born in County Cork, 
Ireland, and came to the United States in 1841, landing at New York city. He 
thence proceeded by sailing vessel to New Orleans, where he lived for a year, 
after which he returned to the Empire state and assisted in building the new 
Erie canal. In 1844 he again went to the Crescent City, and in 1845 returned 
to New York, working on the New York Central Railroad. The year 1850 witnessed 
his arrival in Illinois, where he spent a number of years and then once more 
went to New York. On returning to Illinois he settled in Florence township, 
Will county, where he entered one hundred and sixty acres of government land, 
while subsequently he purchased railroad land and at one time was owner of 
three hundred and fifty acres. He spent the subsequent years of his life in 
stock-raising and farming and became a prominent representative of 
agricultural interests in this part of the state. He never cared for public 
office for himself and at elections voted for the best men. His religious 
faith was that of the Roman Catholic church. He was married in New York to 
Miss Elizabeth Kidney, who was born at Kingsail, County Cork, Ireland. The 
death of Mr. Barrett occurred in Florence township in May, 1889, when he was 
seventy-six years of age, while his wife survived until June 20, 1902, passing 
away at the age of eighty-five years. They had a family of three children: 
Daniel; Hannah who died September 25, 1906; and Dennis, who died October 29, 
1904. Daniel Barrett was reared upon the old homestead farm in this county, 
where he remained up to the time of his marriage, which was celebrated April 
26, 1892, Miss Mary Murphy becoming his wife. She was born in Wilmington, 
February 22, 1853, and is a daughter of Cornelius and Mary (McCarty) Murphy. 
Her father was born at Bellcolling, twenty miles from the city of Cork, and 
died in the town of Florence, Will county, Illinois, at the age of seventy-six 
years, while his widow, who was born in County Cork, is now living in Florence 
township at the age of seventy-five. They were married in New York city. Mr. 
Murphy had come to the United States in 1847 as a passenger on a sailing 
vessel, which dropped anchor in the harbor of New York. He resided in the 
eastern metropolis until 1852, when he removed to Wilmington, and a year later 
he took up his abode in Florence township, where he spent his remaining days, 
engaged in farming and stock-raising. He served as justice of the peace for 
eighteen years, and his decisions were strictly fair and impartial. He was 
recognized as one of the leading residents of his township, was in politics a 
Jacksonian democrat, and in religious faith a communicant of the Roman 
Catholic church. He and his wife became the parents of seven children, of whom 
three are now living: Mrs. Barrett; Catherine, the wife of Edward Long, a 
resident of Florence township; and Ellen Eugene, who is a sister of the St. 
Xavier Order at Chicago and teaches in St. James Academy. Soon after his 
marriage Mr. Barrett began farming on his own account and for a long period 
was closely associated with agricultural interests in Florence township, 
bringing his land under a high state of cultivation and annually gathering 
therefrom rich and abundant harvests. He practiced veterinary surgery for 
thirty-eight years and also engaged in breeding Norman horses, continuing 
actively in business until 1904, when he retired and took up his abode in 
Wilmington, where he is now enjoying a well merited rest. Unto Mr. and Mrs. 
Barrett has been born a daughter, Lizzie. For ten years Mrs. Barrett 
successfully engaged in teaching school in Florence township and is recognized 
as a lady of culture and refinement. Mr. Barrett has served as road 
commissioner for three years, is identified with the Modern Woodmen of 
America, and holds membership in the Roman Catholic church. 

Additional Comments:
PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS By W. W. Stevens President of the 
Will County Pioneers Association; Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing 
Company, 1907

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