Edward appears to have been born in County Cavan ( Kilsherdany Parish) to John Brogan and Mary Donogho, ; research ongoing. DNA matches among several cousins, and myself, with shared segments, point to this area having Brogan's at the border of County Cavan at Clones, County Monaghan. This is an estimated 5 miles from Kilsherdany parish. Catharine was born in Killucan Parish, County Westmeath, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Parkinson, daughter of James. ( Michael's parents: Thadeus and Mary Bardon). Edward immigrated to the U.S. from Ireland, arriving in 1830 at New York City (from his naturalization papers, finalized July 9, 1844, same day as his father in law Michael Martin). Edward settled at Madrid, St. Lawrence County which was an area of many Irish immigrants, and made the 363 mile trip north from New York City to his new home.

Edward and Catharine 's farm was just off of Irish Settlement Road about 2 miles from Chase Mills, between the farms of Thomas Murphy and William Daly at the end of Tiernan Road. In 1850 they had 95 acres, 3 horses, 3 milk cows, 3 cattle, 4 sheep, 3 swine and produced 25 bushels of wheat, 15 bushels of indian corn, 50 bushels of oats and 800 pounds of butter. Seven sons and two daughters reached adulthood : Richard, Michael, Robert, John, Elizabeth, Ellin (Hellen), Edward, James and Christopher. After Edward died in 1855 the family (except Michael) came west to Kansas settling initially in the St. Paul area from 1869-1871. John, his mother Catharine Martin Brogan, and Edward soon settled near Moline at Old Boston. (John started purchasing lands at the Old Boston area on August 1, 1871 out of the land office in Independence Kansas.)