Surrounded by high prairie grass and wild animals, the first settlers of Breese arrived by way of the Goshen Road, which passes through the north part of the township. The first two land entries were those of George Green and Joseph Johnson during the year 1816. Other settlers soon arrived and developed toll bridges across the Shoal Creek waterway. A store and post office was developed at the Toll Bridge on Old State Road in the year 1828.

German farmers began to settle in the area around 1835. The prairie land settlers battled malarial diseases which thrived in the poorly drained flatlands. The worried farmers built crosses on their properties in the hopes of protecting their families from disease. Some of these crosses still stand today.

Growth was slow for Breese until the completion of the Mississippi and Ohio Railroad in 1855. The railroad brought new settlers and business for the area now that travelers no longer had to battle the enormous prairie land grasses which slowed travel. The town was laid out into twenty-four blocks in February of 1855. The Shoal Creek Post Office was moved into the Robert Donne home, which was the first house built in the township.

Soon more and more businesses were developing in the township. Churches and schools were built as the railroad continued to bring travelers into Breese. A volunteer fire department, committee for town improvements, water works plant, and electric light & power plant were quickly developed to meet the needs of the population.

The City of Breese, named in honor of Judge Sidney Breese, who was a Justice of the Supreme Court of Illinois, was incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois on January 19, 1905. Breese has since continued growing and developing at a steady rate to its current population of 3,567 people.