Daniel was born to Captain Joseph Budd and Joanna Swayze in 1809 at Chester, New Jersey. He remained on the farm with his mother as long as she lived, his father having died when Daniel was only 18. Until at least about 1853, he continued ownership of the farm; during the 1850s, he resided in the present French rerstaurant which he purchased.

He was Justice of the Peace, a Freeholder in Chester, a leader of the Morris County Democratic Party, and was elected to the State Assembly. During his life he had been a farmer, forgeman, manufacturer of iron, a surveyor, and a colonel in the New Jersey cavalry. He owned a brickyard, half of an apple distillery, a general store, a factory at Main and Warren Streets, the Budd Forge at Hacklebarney, the present day Chester Inn and French Restaurant, and was a supporter of the Presbyterian Church.

In the 1850s, Daniel was instrumental in establishing the Chester Institute for academic training. In 1869, the school moved to New Street (Route 206 now), in a 26 room building he built as a home for the school and for his family. The school closed in 1885 and in 1974 was demolished to make room for a shopping plaza.

Daniel was married to Mary Keturah Hunt (1818-1917), and before his death in June of 1873, he fathered five children with her. They were:

1. Anna Hunt Budd, who married John Evans and had:
   • Daniel Evans
   • Alfred Evans
   • Ralph Evans
   • Samuel Evans
   • Mabel Amelia Evans, who married Albert W. Driver.
2. Mary Louise Budd (1850-1858)
3. Joanna Budd (1852-1862)
4. Joseph Daniel Budd. He married Jennie Nelson Spencer and had:
   • Mary Hunt Budd, who married J.O. Skimer of New York City
   • Daniel Budd
5. Harriet "Hattie" Budd