Patrick Madigan

Patrick Madigan
Sketch made of Patrick Madigan c1890

About Patrick Madigan and Bridget Thompson

About Patrick Madigan and Bridget Thompson

Patrick Madigan and his wife were both born in Ireland. Patrick was born April 1, 1850 in Coonagh, Killeely Civil Parish, County Limerick, Ireland, the son of Patrick Madigan (c1809-1884) and Margaret Fitzgerald (c1806-1886). Bridget, known for most of her life as Bessie, was born October 8, 1852 most likely in or near Limerick City, County Limerick, Ireland, the daughter of John (Thompson) Thomas (1831-1904) and Bridget Reidy (1831-1900). They both immigrated with their families to Chicago, Patrick in 1872 and Bridget in 1866. They married at Old St. John Church in Chicago on February 24, 1878. Together, they had seven children: Mary (Mayme) (1879-1955); Ellen [Sullivan/Madigan Blog] (1880-1966); Nanette (1881-1963); Thomas (1883-1898); Patrick (Harry) (1885-1956), John (1887-1983); and, James (1890-1909). Patrick was a laborer who died January 15, 1890 when he was only 39 and just a few months before the birth of his last child. Bessie ran a grocery store while raising the seven children as a single parent. She managed to own her own home on the west side of Chicago. She died from myocarditis on December 31, 1935.

Friday, March 12, 2010

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.

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