Philip Breon was born 6 November 1807 and was the first born of Jacob and Anna Maria Brion. Philip lived in Centre County, Pennsylvania.

On 16 October 1831, Philip married Mary Magdalena Ribge in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania by the Rev. Myers, a minister of the Gospel. In his early life, he and his wife united with the Lutheran church, but for reasons best known to himself did not long remain with that body.

In 1848, he removed to Iowa, stopping first in Des Moines County near Burlington, where he resided for two years.

Mary Magdalena Ribge Breon died 10 November 1859 in Steady Run Township., Keokuk County, Iowa at the age of 47 years, 5 months, and 7 days. She is buried in the Hook Cemetery, Highland Township., Wapello County, Iowa.

On 5 February 1856, Philip purchased 10 acres of land for the sum of $50.00 which is located in the Northwest corner of Steady Run Township, Keokuk County, Iowa. A more precise description of its location is northwest of Martinsburg, Iowa, near the South Skunk River near the old Beasley Bridge. On 3 February 1867, Philip sold this tract of land for $100.00.

On 23 May 1860, Philip purchased 60 acres of land for the sum of $400.00 which is located in the west side of Competine Township, Wapello County, Iowa, and is the same 60 acres of land where the old Douglas Farm is. It's assumed the reason Philip moved to this location was to be near his son John and John's wife. Philip would have been a widower with six children still at home with the youngest child being four years old and he would have needed the help of John and his wife to care for the children.

1861 is the unconfirmed date of Philip's second marriage which was to Lydia Jennings Breon, who died 13 February 1868 in Competine Township, Wapello County, Iowa at the age of 44 years, 11 months and 26 days. She is buried in the Hook Cemetery, Highland Township, Wapello County, Iowa.

In 1864, Philip's physical condition was poor, as he was afflicted with rheumatism and lumbago, so consequently could not work at manual labor. His income in 1864 did not exceed $150.00 and he was considerably in debt that year. He owned 80 acres of land in Wapello County, Iowa that was not worth more than $500.00 and there was a small mortgage on it then. His personal property was of every kind such as horses, of which he had a team, an old wagon, and a few worn out implements that were not worth over $200.00. Also during this same year, the members of his family residing with him were his wife Lydia, Charles, and Albert (twins) who were 2 years old, Henry who was 16 years old, Phillip who was 12 years old, and George F. who was 8 years old.

On 3 February 1866, Philip sold the 80 acres of land in Wapello County for $1600.00 and moved back to his property in Steady Run Township, Keokuk County, Iowa. It's believed the reason he moved was because of his indebtedness which forced him to sell his land in Wapello County, Iowa and move back to Keokuk County. It's also felt that the loss of his two sons in 1864 in the Civil War, of which Jacob (his third son) was his sole source of support at the time. Jacob entered the war in 1862, which might have added to this decision to move. Knowing his sons would not return to aid him in his farming and himself getting deeper in debt, plus his physical condition probably worsening, Philip probably had no other choice.

It appears Philip resided on the original ten acres of land he purchased in 1856 from 3 February 1866 to 3 February 1867 when he sold almost all this property in 1867. The reason it's said that he sold almost all of his property is that on 3 July 1869, Philip sold the remainder of this property for $3.00, but retained the timber rights as long as he removed the timber in two years. It also appears that Philip married a third time to a woman by the name of Mary since she also signed the document pertaining to the agreement of the timber. At this time it's not known where they were married or what her maiden name was. Philip must have made an agreement with the man he sold this small partial of land to, because it appears he lived on this small tract of land until 28 September 1868, because there is no record of him purchasing any land between these two dates.

On 28 September 1868, Philip purchased 40 acres of land for the sum of $480.00 in West Lancaster Township, Keokuk County, Iowa. This parcel of land is located approximately 1 & ½ miles southeast of Hayesville, Iowa.

On 27 November 1873, Philip sold his 40 acres of land in West Lancaster Township, and along with his wife Mary and family, started their move to the west. It is believed that in 1875, Philip homesteaded in Crystal Plains Township, Smith County, Kansas. In 1889, while Philip was applying for a pension from the United States as a result of the death of his son Jacob, who died in the Civil War in 1864, a letter was furnished to the U. S. Pension Office on Philip's condition. A Mr. W. W. Blanchard and Mr. Willis Burbank stated that Philip was physically unable to obtain his subsistence by manual labors by reason of old age and infirmities. Philip was also poor and had no means of support.

In the spring of 1885, then at the age of 77, yet apparently enjoying good health, after one day having walked a distance of five miles, he was at night stricken with paralysis, from which he never fully recovered. For the first three years after this misfortune he lived among his children, almost helpless and unable to dress himself. During the last three years of his life he lived with his son, Phillip, and was entirely helpless and obliged to lie constantly upon his bed.

Mary (third wife of Philip) died 19 February 1880 at the age of 65 years, and 3 months. She is buried at Crystal Plains Cemetery, Smith County, Kansas.

Philip Breon died 19 April 1891, at the age of 83 years and 5 months. He is buried in Crystal Plains Cemetery, Smith County, Kansas.