Daley, Edward M.

Born: 1812 New York

Died: 1856-02

Flourished: Greene County, Illinois

In 1834, while still a resident of New York, Daley purchased over 160 acres of public land near what would soon become the Jersey County seat of Jerseyville. After moving permanently to Illinois later that year, Daley and Dr. John W. Lott established the first general store in the area, operating until they, along with Alexander H. Burrett, laid out the town of Jerseyville. Appointed Jerseyville's postmaster from 1835-1840, Daley continued to acquire real estate in the area, eventually purchasing over 500 acres by 1837 . Beginning in 1837, Daley served as one of the first town trustees and election judges, as well as the first city clerk. Daley and Lott also established the National Hotel, and in 1839, Lott and Daley donated a lot for the first court house square, while Daley also served as the county's purchasing agent. Elected as a Democrat, Daley served as state representative for Greene County from 1838-1840, working on the Public Accounts and Finance committees and actively promoting the act separating what would become Jersey County from Greene County.

In 1846, Daley married Henrietta Grimsley, with whom he had two sons.

Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales, Jersey County, 343:144, 178, 207, 209; 817:59, Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL; Marshall M. Cooper, History of Jerseyville, Illinois, 1822-1901. (Jerseyville: Jerseyville Republican Print, 1901), 4, 6, 7, 8, 114, 223, 227; U.S. Census Office, Seventh Census of the United States (1850), Jerseyville, Jersey County, IL, 4; U.S. Census Office, Fifth Census of the United States (1830), Durham, Greene County, NY, 277; Alton Weekly Courier (August 24, 1854); History of Jersey County, Illinois. (Chicago: Curtis, 1991), 10, 21, 52, 60; Jersey County Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales to Patentees; B. B. Hamilton, Historical Sketch of Jersey County, Illinois (Jacksonville, IL: Courier, 1916), 24; Gregory Boyd. Family Maps of Jersey County, Illinois (Norman, OK: Arphax, 2007), 109; Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, Jersey County, 21 May 1846, Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL; Illinois House Journal. 1838. 11th G. A., 1st sess., 31.