Nanette Madigan (1881-1963), First Holy Communion 1894

Nanette Madigan, the third child of Patrick and Bessie, made her First Holy Communion in 1894. She would have been 13 years old.

On Nanette's birth certificate (November 23, 1881), she is named Anna but called Nanette in her later years.  Nan married George Rooney on August 2, 1903 in Chicago, Illinois.  George worked for the railroad and his job took them to Colorado and California to live.  Their only child, Ruth M. Rooney, was born October 6, 1905.

ROONEY --Nanette Rooney, beloved wife of the late George W. Rooney, fond mother of Ruth; dear sister of Nell Sullivan and John Madigan, the late Mae Harbison and Harry Madigan.  Funeral Saturday, 9 a.m., from Hursen Chapel, 929 Belmont avenue, to Our Lady of Mount Carmel church.  Mass 9:30 a.m.. Internment All Saints.
Chicago Tribune, May 3, 1963

G. W. Rooney Rites Tuesday -- Funeral services will be held Tuesday morning for George W. Rooney, 58, for more than a decade San Francisco general agent of the Denver, Rio Grande and Western Railroad, who died here Friday, following a short illness.
Mr. Rooney, a native of Michigan and a railroad man most of his life, had been in San Francisco for eleven years.  His wife, Mrs. Nanette Rooney, a daughter Miss Ruth Rooney of Chicago, and a brother, John W. Rooney of Oxnard, survive.  The family home is at 411 Fifteenth Avenue.
Tuesday's services will begin at 9 a.m., at the McAvoy-O'Hara Chapel, Geary Boulevard and Ninth Avenue, with a requiem mass at Start of the Sea Church at 9:30.  Interment will be in Chicago.  The San Francisco Examiner, March 24, 1940.

Fillmore Avenue, c1915

Sitting in the dining room at 3511 W. Fillmore, Chicago are Nell Madigan Sullivan, Mae Madigan Cooley and their Mom, Bessie Thompson Madigan. Nell lived with her family, Al, Tom and Helen on the second floor and Bessie, with two of her sons, John and Harry, lived on the first floor of the two flat she owned. The Sullivans lived at this address until about 1917 when they moved to 18 N. Latrobe, Chicago.

Parteen-Meelick-Coonagh Parish

Patrick Madigan was, as were his siblings, baptized at Parteen-Meelick Parish in Ireland.  As reported on the Parteen-Meelick-Coonagh Parish Diocesan Heritage Project site at Limerick Diocese Heritage, the parish is situated mostly in County Clare, with the exception of Coonagh, which is in County Limerick.  Patrick's siblings, excluding James who is identified as being from Meelick Gate, all lived in Coonagh when they were baptized. 

"There are presently two churches in use in the parish, one in the village of Parteen, and the other in Meelick village.... Parteen church is dedicated to St. Patrick and was built between 1831 and 1835.... Meelick church is dedicated to St. John the Baptist and was built in the early 1830s."  So both churches were in existence when the Madigan children were born and baptized.

"The name Parteen is derived from the Irish An Póirtin meaning the little port or landing place.  Meelick is from the Irish Miliuc, which in turn is derived from Máighe Fhliuch, or the low marshy land.  The Irish for Coonagh is Cuanach, a place indented with bays and harbors."

The Limerick portion of the Parteen-Meelick Parish is in the civil Parish of Killeely which borders the water.

Madigan-Thompson Marriage License, 1878

Patrick Madigan and Bridget Thompson were married by Fr. John Waldoon at St. John's church on February 24, 1878. James Grimes and Margaret Conway were witnesses. A Helena Grimes was Patrick Madigan's baptismal sponsor. Several other Grimes were baptismal sponsors for Patrick Madigan's siblings. I have not come across the name Grimes as a family name yet.

Bessie Madigan, Death Certificate, 1935

Bessie Madigan was living at 4826 W. Quincy in Chicago when she died on December 31, 1935. Her son, Harry, was the informant on the death certificate. She died at home, one that she owned. He lists her father as John Thomas. Somewhere near the end of the 19th century, the Thompsons changed their last name to Thomas. When her father died in 1904 he is listed as John Thomas on his death certificate.  Her mother is listed as Meg La Rue on Bessie's death certificate.  However, on her siblings' death certificates her mother is listed as Margaret Reidy/Ready.  There is a story in the family told by both Helen McIntyre and Ruth Rooney that we had in the family a "crazy aunt" who was French. I have not been able to determine who that is, perhaps the name La Rue is a clue.   Harry also states that Bessie was born in Chicago, but we know from earlier censuses, she was born in Ireland.  All this just goes to prove you can't believe everything you read on a death certificate.

Patrick Madigan, Death Certificate, 1890

Patrick Madigan was only 39 years old when he died on January 15, 1890 after a one-week bout with pneumonia.  He left his wife pregnant and with six other children under the age of 11. He died at 2853 Emerald Avenue per his death certificate.  He was buried in Calvary Cemetery initially on January 17, 1890 at Lot 272, Block 11, section T, but ultimately interred on April 29, 1901 in Lot 2, block 26, section P.  Also buried in the lot are Catherine Hennessy, Richard McCabe, Francis Hennessy, George E. Hennessy, Lizzie Monroe, Thomas Rowan, John Hennessey, and Catherine Driscoll, many of them young children.  Patrick's relationship to them is unknown. On the gravesite is a flat marker for Richard McCabe which reads: "Pray for the Soul of Our beloved brother, Richard McCabe, Sept. 20. 1853, Jan. 20, 1916, R. I. P."

At the Beach, c1930

Bessie Thompson Madigan with her son-in-law Alex Sullivan and granddaughter Helen Sullivan at the beach.

Bessie Thompson Madigan 1855-1936

Bridget "Bessie" Thompson Madigan was born October 8, 1855 in County Limerick, Ireland. She immigrated to the U.S. with her parents and siblings c1860. I have not been able to locate passenger list papers proving this date. When her husband Patrick died, she had seven children under 12 years old which she cared for and operated a grocery story on Chicago's southside. Eventually, she purchased a home on Chicago's west side located at 3511 W. Fillmore, then 5227 W. Congress and eventually 4826 W. Quincy. Her daughter, Ellen (Nell) and family lived on the top floor of her two flat on Fillmore for several years before moving to 18 N. Latrobe. Bessie was very energetic, says her granddaughter Helen McIntyre. Bessie had Thanksgiving every year and the whole family would come. She broke her leg when she fell down the stairs at her home and she never fully recovered. Bessie died of mycarditis on New Year's Eve, 1935 at the age of 80. She is buried at Calvary Cemetery in Evanston.

MADIGAN -- Bessie Thomas Madigan beloved wife of the late Patrick, devoted mother of May Harbison, Nell Sullivan, Nan Rooney of San Francisco, Cal., Harry and John Madigan.  Funeral Saturday at 9:30 a.m. from late residence, 4826 W. Quincey st., to Resurrection church.  Interment Calvary, Mansfield 2119.  Chicago Daily News, January 2, 1936, page 32.

May Madigan, 1879 -1955

May Madigan, oldest child of Patrick and Bessie was born April 17, 1879 in Chicago. She married Claude Cooley at St. Agatha's Church in Chicago on February 11, 1907. Unfortunately, Claude cut his leg on a railroad car and died from septicemia, an infection. Claude was an extremely good looking gentleman. They had no children. May lived with her mother-in-law, May Sherwood for a number of years, marrying Burdette Harbison on May 30, 1934. May died from coronary thrombosis due to arteriosclerotic heart disease in September 29, 1955. She is buried with Burdette in St. Joseph cemetery in River Grove, Illinois.

This photo of Burdette, Elaine McIntyre and May was taken c1953. May was an excellent seamstress and she made Elaine's tap dance costume she is wearing.

HARBISON -- May Madigan Harbison, beloved wife of Burdette, fond sister of Nell Sullivan, Nan Rooney, Harry and John Madigan.  Funeral Monday, 9 a.m., from chapel, 5911 W. Madison street, to St. Matthew's church.  Interment St. Joseph's. EStebrook 8-7500.  Chicago Tribune, October 2, 1955

COOLEY -- Claude Alva Cooley, beloved husband of Mrs. Mae Madigan Cooley and son of Mrs. M. S. Cooley and the late William H. Cooley, at his residence, 2918 Flornoy st. Member of Siloam lodge, St. Cecilia chapter, and St. Cecilia commandery, Knights Templar.  Templar service, Friday, Jan. 25, at 1 o'clock, at West Side Masonic Temple. Chicago Tribune, January 25, 1918.

HARBISON -- Burdette W. Harbison, beloved husband of the late May Madigan Harbison, fond brother of Lela Eddy and late Frances McCullough. Funeral Tuesday, 10:30 a.m. from chapel, 5911 W. Madison street, to St. Bernadine's church, Forest park.  Interment St. Joseph's. ES 8-7500.  Chicago Tribune, August 17, 1959.

Harry Madigan, 1885-1956

Harry Madigan has a colorful past. A tavern owner up to and through prohibition he was involved in several incidents related to Chicago mafia corruption. Although never convicted, some of the stories seem to convey  possible connection with Al Capone, et. al. For a short summary of one of the incidents view Homicide in Chicago, 1870 - 1930.

During the investigation into the murder of Assistant State's Attorney of Cook County, William McSwiggin, in front of Harry Madigan's tavern, Harry is quoted in the book Capone: The Life and World of Al Capone by John Kobler saying: "When I wanted to start a saloon in Cicero more than a year ago, Capone wouldn't let me," Madigan told Chief of Detectives Schoemaker.  "I finally obtained strong political pressure and was able to open.  Then Capone came to me and said I would have to buy his beer, so I did. A few months ago Doherty and Myles O'Donnell came to me and said they cold sell me better beer than Capone beer, which was then needled.  They did and it cost fifty dollars a barrel, where Capone charged me sixty.  I changed, and upon my recommendation so did several other Cicero saloonkeepers."

Patrick Harry Madigan was born March 8, 1885 at 3644 Dashield, the fifth child of Patrick and Bessie Madigan.  Harry married late in life to Margaret Saunders, nee McHugh.  They married at Chicago's Mount Carmel Church on February 25, 1945 when Harry was 59 years old.  Harry died on November 27, 1956 of arteriosclerotic heart disease.  He is buried at Calvary Cemetery with his mother Bessie and two single brothers James and Thomas in Lot 15, block 6, section Z.

MADIGAN
--Harry P. Madigan of 221 S. Central Park avenue, beloved husband of Margaret Saunders Madigan, nee McHugh; brother of Nell Sullivan, Nan Rooney, John J., and the late Mayme Harvison (sic). At funeral home, 17 Madison street, Oak Park. Funeral Saturday, Dec. 1, 9:30 a.m., to Our Lady of Sorrows church. Mass 10 a.m. Interment Calvary. Member of Pipe Fitters union, local No. 597.
Chicago Tribune, November 30, 1956

Ellen Madigan c1900

Ellen Theresa Madigan was born May 29, 1880. She was the second daughter and child of Patrick and Bessie. On her birth certificate her name is listed as Anna. Ellen married Alexander Sullivan on August 17, 1907 at Old St. John's Church.  For more information on Ellen Madigan see Sullivan/Madigan Genealogy.

James Madigan, 1890-1898

James Madigan, the youngest son, was born in September, 1890 nearly 9 months after the death of his Father. In 1909, he had an operation for a gangrenous obstruction in his bowel at St. Anthony's Hospital and died on January 23, 1909. He is buried at Calvary Cemetery with his mother, Bessie, and his brother Thomas who preceded him in death on December 12, 1898.

Harry Madigan WWI Registration Card, 1918

Harry Patrick Madigan in 1918 was the owner of a saloon located at 4701 W. Harrison in Chicago. He was living with his mother at 3511 W. Fillmore Avenue, Chicago.

1900 U.S. Census

 

The 1900 US Census shows Bessie Madigan a widow with her children: Mary, Nellie, Annie (Nanette), Harry, John and James. They lived at 364 Loomis in Chicago in a rented apartment.  The three oldest children were working in a book bindery.

John J. Madigan, 1887-1983

Their son, John J. Madigan served in WWI. This photo c1917 shows John (to the far right) somewhere in France. His niece, Helen Sullivan McIntyre, said he used to speak French to her and eat pig tails which he would wave at her and scare her. 

John was born April 17, 1887 at home at 3644 Dashield Street.  He applied for a Social Security Account on December 30, 1937.  At the time he states he was working for Harry P. Madigan whose establishment was located at 3936 W. Madison Street in Chicago.  John lived with his mother Bessie and brother Harry for many years. He was a steamfitter and plumber. He worked with his brother Harry at several of Harry's taverns. He eventually married, Mary (last name unknown) c 1938, around the age of 50. Helen remembered that Mary also worked at one of the taverns. He and Mary moved to Hayward, Wisconsin where he eventually died in April of 1983.

Photo from the collection of Helen M. McIntyre.