John D. Brewer, deceased, who was among the most prominent and substantial men of Johnson County, and who was a resident of Pleasant Township for a period of forty-eight years, was born in Mercer County, Ky., May 20, 1807. He was the son of Daniel and Theodocia (Derland) Brewer, the former of whom was born in New Jersey in 1770, and the latter was a native of Mercer County, Ky. In 1786 Daniel Brewer accompanied his parents to Mercer County, Ky., where he married Theodocia Derland, and came with her to Johnson County in 1834. They settled in Pleasant Township, and there spent the rest of their lives. Daniel Brewer was the son of Abram and Sarah (Truax) Brewer, both of whom were natives of New Jersey, the former being born in 1742, and was united in marriage on the 30th of June, 1766. They both died in that county, the former in 1825. Abram Brewer was the son of Everardus and Cornelia (DeLanoy) Brewer, the former of whom was born in the vicinity of New York City, in 1689, and was married November 30, 1738. His entire life was spent in the vicinity of his birthplace. Everardus Brewer was the son of Jacob and Annette (Bogardus) Brewer, the former of whom was the son of Adam Brewer, and the latter was the daughter of Anneke Jans, the owner of the celebrated Anneke Jans estate in New York City. Adam Brewer was a native of Holland, but immigrated to America, and located on Manhattan Island, in 1642. (Jacob Brewer and Annette Bogardus were married on January 29, 1682.) The wife of Adam Brewer was Magdalena Verdon. John D. Brewer, the subject of this sketch, was reared on a farm in his native county. He spent several years as a boat-hand on the Kentucky, Ohio and Mississippi rivers. He came to Johnson County in 1833 and entered a quarter section of land in the southern part of Pleasant Township, upon which he built a cabin and immediately set about clearing his land. It was developed into a farm, and later on this was enlarged by purchases and other entries, until he finally owned a farm of 800 acres. He was married January 6, 1841, to Fannie Webb. She was born in Henry County, Ky., January 28, 1821, and was the daughter of James and Hannah (Sanford) Webb, both of whom were natives of Virginia. Her father was the son of William and Catharine Webb, and her mother the daughter of Lawrence and Fannie Sanford. John D. Brewer and wife became the parents of ten children: Samuel E., born June 28, 1842; Hannah S., January 8, 1845, deceased; the next was a son that died unnamed; Sarah D., November 12, 1849; Mary E., July 29, 1851; Etha J., October 6, 1853; Fannie D., September 6, 1855; Belle, February 4, 1859; Maggie E., July 19, 1861; Tellie, June 22, 1863. Mr. Brewer was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and was a democrat in politics. He died August 18, 1881. His surviving widow, who now resides in Whiteland, is also a member of the Presbyterian Church.