Julia was born July 14, probably 1826, in Jackson County IL...likely at the family farm near Brownsville. Three different sources, including her marker in Woodlawn Cemetery have different dates (1820-26) She was the daughter of Samuel and Charlotte Etherton. She had seven siblings...three older and four younger than she.

Julia was home educated and trained in the skills needed for being a good wife and mother. These she learned well and practiced extensively in later years with a brood of twelve youngsters in their home over the years.

In November, 1841, Julia was married to Daniel Harmon Brush. Their marriage lasted 26 years, until her death in 1867.

As Mr. Brush put it:

I felt I was still on the gaining side and could afford to take a wife. For some time I had been attracted to Miss Julia Etherton who lived with her family on a farm on the Ridge about six miles south of Brownsville, on the main road leading from St. Louis to Cairo. I had know her since she was eight years old. She was good looking, of modest deportment and retiring disposition, healthy in body and bright in mind. If Julia Ann Etherton Brush were to share the essence husband, Daniel Harmon Brush, she would probably share some of these memories:

Daniel Harmon was born April 15, 1813, in Vergennes, Vermont. The family to Greene Co. IL, in 1820, built a small cabin, and put in crops. Father Elkhanan took sick, and died late that same year. The family was left in dire straits. The family toiled for the next 8 years to keep the homestead together.

In early fall of 1828, his mother, Lucretia Harmon Brush, remarried and moved to Sangamon County with her husband. 15-year old Daniel lived briefly with the new couple, but his step-father seemed to make him feel unwelcome.

Later in 1828, with no place to go, Daniel moved to Jackson County to live with his older sister, Mary, wife of Alexander Jenkins.

Between 1837-47, Daniel worked for Mr. Jenkins and Mr. Joel Manning. He learned much about government service and politics while serving as a clerk and aide to these men.

In 1841, it was my honor to become Mrs. Daniel Brush. As Daniel’s wife, I bore nine children. Sadly, three died as very young children.

Daniel learned the rudiments of shopkeeping, and made grueling trips down the Mississippi to New Orleans with produce to trade at market.

These ventures yielded little profit.

The early years of our marriage were difficult. We lived in Murphysboro, much of the time in structures that contained Daniel’s various business ventures. He held several county offices at the same time. Daniel worked hard and finally achieved some financial success.

In the 1850's, Daniel Harmon saw the possibility of a town on the new IC railroad. By 1852, he had chosen a location, gathered support, and purchased land, for what is now Carbondale, Illinois. I was so proud of his efforts.

Daniel built the first business house, sawmill, bank and freight office, and was the first station agent.

In 1854, we moved to Carbondale to live with my sister, Jane, who had married Daniel’s brother, James. James died in 1849. Jane remarried. Daniel strongly disapproved of her second marriage.

Mr. Blanchard seemed to want only Jane’s house and estate. Jane died in 1854. Daniel sought and got guardianship of our 6 nieces and nephews. I became their “Mother”.

Daniel owned 10 acres including the area where Brush School & later Carbondale Public Library were built. He had a fine home built for us. We moved in July, 1857.

The total cost, exclusive of land value, was approximate $9600. For those times that was a huge expenditure. It was a lovely home. I was blessed.

Sept. 24, 1859, we became members of the new Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Brush was sometimes criticized for his stern attitude and demeanor. He was a devout Christian, a church-goer and strict Sabbath-keeper... a man of wonderfully high standards.

I was quite fearful when Daniel left for the war. He served with discipline, order, and determination. My husband set and maintained such high standards that he seemed stern & unsympathetic. I knew this was not the case. The Colonel was arrested, upon complaints from his enlisted men, but quite naturally, he was cleared of all charges.

After the war, I soon found that Daniel would not have a great deal of time for our family of twelve. He began a law practice, a coal mine and a newspaper. He became a leading citizen.

In 1866, I was very proud that he and Colonel Ingersoll were chosen marshals for the first Memorial Day celebration in Carbondale’s Woodlawn cemetery.

My life with Daniel ended with my death in 1867. Daniel married a lady from New York. Though she was happy with Colonel Brush, she never adjusted to the social life of this small Midwestern community. Following his 1890 death, she returned to the East.

The day of his death was, February 10, 1890. Workmen were trying to fell a tree near West Side School down from our lovely mansion. Daniel, then 77 years old, went out to help. He tied a rope from the tree around his wrists. The tree fell in an unexpected direction. Daniel Harmon was catapulted into the air and slammed to the ground. Resulting injuries caused his death.

Daniel Harmon had enjoyed financial success and community respect, though he was considered quite a “character”. Sadly, he did not favor our youngest son and daughter in his will. Richard and Nora did not reflect the rigid standards their Father held for himself. This caused a split in our family which endured for many years.

I often wonder if things might have been different had I been a part of the children’s growing up years.

Daniel Harmon Brush quickly remarried, yet years later wrote this tribute to Julia,: “Julia was a perfect and most loveable girl. She was a blessing to me as wife, true and faithful to the end, and in her motherly love for our children she could not be excelled.

She had been born and raised to womanhood in this county and did not have the advantages of education in schools that she deserved.

She had, however, a good Christian mother whose influence in her training was the best, so that her home life was pure in its teaching and perfect in forming an earnest, positive Christian character.

Modest and retiring in her disposition, her home was her theater of action and her motherly love the specter by which she ruled her household.

Twenty-six years she was my helper and the cherished guardian of my home, and then her God took her. Her surviving children may well rise up and call her blessed.”

Daniel and Julia’s Children

Julia and Daniel married in 1841; she died in 1867.

Rowland 1842-47, died of coup, following Scarlet Fever

Lucretia Charlotte, March 16, 1844-1924

George, Dec. 20, 1846, died same day

Daniel Harmon, Jr. 1848-1921

Julia Mariah 1851-1923

Charles Eliphlet- March 17,1855-Oct. 29, 1916

Frances Alathea- Feb. 26, 1853-March 23, 1854

Richard Dunning- June 2, 1858-August, 1929

Nora (Norah) Hanson- July 20, 1863-July, 1929

After both of their parents died, the children of James & Jane (Etherton) Brush were raised by Daniel and Julia

Ages in 1854:

Edgar-12

Elkhanah-10

Samuel-8

George M.-6

Mary-4

James-2

The Brush Children

● Rowland S., 1842 to 47 died of coup, following a Scarlet Fever epidemic.

● Lucretia Charlotte, March 16, 1844 to 1924, became Mrs. Henry Campbell in 1866. She married the oldest son of James Campbell. For many years they lived in a large brick home, built in 1868, at 417 W. Main. When it burned, Charles Brush, her brother built their new home at the southeast corner of West Main and Poplar. This house also burned in the late 1890's. Unfortunately, due to some questionable business dealings, Henry spent time in the penitentiary.

● Daniel Harmon, Jr. , 1848 to 1921, attended the United States Military Academy from 1867 to 1871. He joined the 17th Infantry Unit of the army. In 1874, he married Harriet Rapp, who was born in New York. She was the daughter of Isaac & Georgianna Rapp. Their children were Georgiana Etherton, Harriet Roberts, Daniel Harmon III and Isaac Rapp (also called Dash)

● George, born Dec. 20, 1846, died same day.

● Julia Mariah, 1851 to 1923, married Alonso Bridges qv, in 1872. Their children were Daniel Young, 1873; Ella Althia, 1875 to 1954; Rollin Eugene, 1878 to 1962; Albert Franklin, 1881; and Charlotte, 1889. Julia’s husband died at forty-four. Julia never remarried. Following her father’s death in 1890, the family moved into the Brush homestead. Two Brush grandchildren overheated a stove and the resulting fire rendered the Brush house a total loss.

● Charles Eliphlet, March 17,1855 to Oct. 29, 1916, attended the University of Illinois. In 1877, he graduated with a degree in architecture. He practiced in Carbondale. He built a fine home for his sister who had married Henry Campbell. In 1885, he married Ida Fleming of Fort Wayne Indiana. Charles supervised the building of the U.S. Marine Hospital in Cairo and additions to Menard Penitentiary in Chester. After his marriage, he moved to Kansas City, then to Chicago where he died.

● Frances Alathea, Feb. 26, 1853 to March 23, 1854, died at 13 months of age.

● Richard Dunning, June 2, 1858- to August, 1929, was married in 1882 to Jenny Watson. He became the Park Superintendent in Chicago, Illinois. They had one son, Richard Franklin Brush. Richard Dunning died in 1929.

● Nora (Norah) Hanson, July 20, 1863 to July, 1929, married Charles Barbour and had two sons, George and Charles. She and Charles moved away from Carbondale. After Charles died, as a fairly young man, Nora married H.H. Burton. They had another son, Albert. She was living in Carbondale when she died. Though virtually “disowned” by her father, Nora was described as “having a rarely beautiful disposition. She was the joy and delight of the other members of the family.”