STEPHEN BRANNAN, deceased, having died at his home in Beardstown, Illinois, September 16, 1875, was born in Queen's county, Ireland, about seventy-two years ago. He came of pure Irish ancestry. His mother had died in her native country, when in middle life. Her name was Anorah Brannan. His father later came to this country, joined his son in Cass county, and after having lived here twelve years, died at his home, aged eighty-four. He and his wife were all their lives Roman Catholics.

Mr. Brannan came to Cass county a poor man in 1849. He had given up a farmer's life in Ireland and when twenty-three years of age went to England, spent three years in Liverpool and in 1849 reached the United States. He had been nine weeks in the city of New York before he came on to Beardstown and here the scenes of his active life began. He was a hard-working farmer and stock raiser and became prominent as such in the county. He was successful in accumulating land, having worked around for seven years; he then purchased and began to farm for himself. He first bought eighty acres, which before his death he had increased to 380, and 340 of it is still in the family. This land is in Indian precinct.

He was married, in Beardstown, to Elizabeth A. Riley, who was born in Londonderry, Ireland, August 7, 1835. She was the daughter of John and Margaret (Kenan) Riley, natives of Dublin, Ireland. Mr. Riley and his wife had both come to England when young people, were married in Ashton, England, and there Mr. Riley followed for a time the trade of a baker and was so engaged throughout England until 1836, when he came to the United States and located in Beardstown. Four years later his wife and children came over on the same ship with Mr. Brannan of this notice. Mr. Riley obtained land in Indian precinct, about 650 acres, and it was upon this place that John Riley and wife labored, successfully, and died about the age of fifty-five years, having been all their lives good Roman Catholics. Mrs. Brannan was her parent's only child. She has kept the property together and is a good manager. They had thirteen children, four of whom are dead. Nicholas is now a farmer on the old homestead; John Jr., is also a farmer at the same place; R. Edward is a partner with his brother in farming; Mary A., at present housekeeper for her brothers on the farm; Nora is at home with her mother; Thomas is a clerk for Werner & Stoneagle; Lizzie is at home, while William and Stephen work for their brothers on the farm.

Mr. Brannan was a good neighbor, a kind father and husband and a consistent member of the Roman Catholic Church.