William Daly, was born at Killarney, County of Kerry Ireland, on March 25, 1819. His parents, John and Mary Daly, emigrated to this country, coming direct to Detroit, where they arrived in June. 1837. William received his education in Ireland, and for a short time before he came to this country attended college. After his arrival in Detroit, during 1837 and 1838 he worked for Mayor Kearslcy. In 1839 he went to Chicago, and helped to grade up the first street in that city. In 1841. he begansailing on the steamboat "Eric," and" while on the Detroit River, the boiler exploded. Five or six men were killed, and he had a narrow escape from death, being badly scalded and burned. He was married on November 26, 1842, to Mary Lester, a native of Kilkenny Ireland, the same year he settled in Dearborn, and engaged in farming, and is still living on the same farm of 160 acres

Mr. Daly has always taken an active part in the public affairs of the township in which he lives, and has held every office within the disposal of his fellow-citizens In 1843 he was elected Poor Director, and continued to hold the office for twenty years. In 1844. he was made Highway Commissioner, remaining in that office for eighteen years. For twenty-four years in succession he fulfilled the duties of Justice of the Peace, being first elected in 1858 In 1863, he was elected Supervisor of the township, and held the office for eighteen years. He was also County Superintendent of the Poor for six years, and School Director for twenty years. That he gave satisfaction as a public official is abundantly evidenced by the number of offices he has filled, and by the length of time he held each office.

Mr Daly has always been a Democrat in politics, and has done much active work in furthering the interests of the party. He is a Catholic in his religious views, and amongst his most pleasant recollections is the fact that he helped to build the first Catholic Church in Dearborn, drawing the timber with his own team and hewing it himself. His wife died April 6, 1887, leaving four sons, Patrick, John, James and Thomas, and one daughter. Mrs. Gleason. of Detroit. The sons arc all respected, and have large farms of their own in the immediate neighborhood of the old homestead. Personally Mr. Daly has a genial disposition, is generous of heart, and firm in bis friendships. His love for his adopted country is only equaled by his pride in her greatness and prosperity. By his thrift and economy he has laid up a comfortable home for himself and his children, and his integrity and good qualities have secured to him the esteem of his fellow-citizens, who have shown their high regard by conferring upon him year after year all the honors at their command.

History of Detroit: A chronicle of its progress, its industries ..., Volume 2 By Paul Leake 1912