Madigan-Cherry 50th Wedding Celebration

50th Wedding Anniversary Gathering

1862-1912

Michael T. Madigan (1841-1915) 

and 

Bridget Cherry (1843-1923)

7606 S. Lowe, Chicago, Illinois

This wonderful photo, taken in 1912, celebrates the 50th wedding anniversary of Michael T. Madigan and Bridget Cherry, both born in Ireland. 

Michael T. Madigan was born in the townland of Coonagh in the Civil Parish of Killeely in County Limerick. He was baptized on 08 August 1841 in the Catholic Parish of Parteen and Meelick.

Bridget Cheery was born at Fane Farm in the Civil Parish of St. Patrick in County Clare. She was baptized on 01 November 1843 in the same Catholic Parish of Parteen and Meelick. The Parteen and Meelick church serves an area bordering the two counties.

Michael and Bridget were married 01 February 1862 in St. Munchin's Church, Limerick City. The couple immigrated to the United States in the mid-1860s along with 3 of their children. Once in the US Bridget gave birth to 10 more children. In Chicago, Michael was a laborer and sewer builder.

Michael T. Madigan is the brother of Patrick Madigan (1850-1890). Their parents were Patrick Madigan (c1809-1884) and Margaret Fitzgerald (c1806-1886). The parents, Patrick and Bridget, died in Chicago, Illinois. and are buried in Calvary Cemetery, Evanston, Illinois. The two sons, Michael and Patrick, along with their respective wives, Bridget and Margaret, are also buried in Calvary Cemetery, Evanston.

Although for purposes of this photo only blood descendants are included. It is hoped the in-laws were also invited to the party!!

Pictured in Photo:

Top row, left to right

1.      Lillian Carey (1896-1982), daughter of Nora Madigan (1870-1909) and Joseph P. Carey (c1871-1918), married (unknown date) William McGrath (1897-1966)

2.      Bernice Carey (1902-       ), daughter of Nora Madigan Carey (1870-1909) and Joseph P. Carey (c1871-1918), married (unknown date) Unknown Garner

3.      Clementine Carey (1903-1969), daughter of Nora Madigan Carey (1870-1909) and Joseph P. Carey (c1871-1918), became Sr. Genevieve Therese, O.P., an Adrian Dominican Sister

4.      Theresa Madigan (1884-1955), daughter of  Michael T. Madigan (1841-1915) and Bridget Cherry (1843-1923) did not marry

5.      Maurice Madigan (1879-1940), son of Michael T. Madigan (1841-1915) and Bridget Cherry (1843-1923), married (1907) Julia Hoey (1880-1934)

6.      Collette Madigan [Held by Maurice] (1910-1981), daughter of Maurice Madigan (1879-1940) and Julia Hoey (1880-1934), married (1935) Joseph C. Bingen (1906-1975)

7.      Mary Madigan (c1904-1961), daughter of  Michael P. Madigan (1872-1945) and Margaret M. Drew (c1875-1934), married (1928) Thomas Owens

8.      James Madigan (1873-1915), son of Michael T. Madigan (1841-1915) and Bridget Cherry (1843-1923), never married

9.      Theresa Carey (1896-1991), daughter of Nora Madigan (1870-1909) and Joseph P. Carey (c1871-1918), never married

10.   Clementine Madigan (1880-1940), daughter of Michael T. Madigan (1841-1915) and Bridget Cherry (1843-1923), married (1914) Hugh F. McNally (1881-1962)

Bottom row, left to right

1.      Michael P. Madigan (1872-1945), son of Michael T. Madigan (1841-1915) and Bridget Cherry (1843-1923), married (1903) Margaret M. Drew (c1875-b1945)

2.      John Madigan [Held by Michael] (c1908-1972), son of Michael P. Madigan (1872-1945) and Margaret M. Drew (c1875-1934), married (1934) Lillian Vanderberg

3.      Mildred Madigan [Held by Michael] (1910-1913), daughter of Michael P. Madigan (1872-1945) and Margaret M. Drew (c1875-1934),

4.      Michael J. Madigan (c1906-1966), son of Michael P. Madigan (1872-1945) and Margaret M. Drew (c1875-1934), married (1941) Mary Rita Rice (1912-2003)

5.      Michael T. Madigan (1841-1915), son of Patrick Madigan (c1809-1884) and Margaret Fitzgerald (c1806-1886), married (1862) Bridget Cherry (1843-1923)

6.      Marion Carey (1906-1979), daughter of Nora Madigan Carey (1870-1909) and Joseph P. Carey (c1871-1918), married (unknown date) John F. McNicholas (1904-1983)

7.      Bridget Cherry Madigan (1843-1923), daughter of Michael Cherry (        -          ) and Mary Ryan (        -          ), Married (1862) Michael T. Madigan (1841-1915)

8.      Delia Madigan Hincks (1882-1918), daughter of Michael T. Madigan (1841-1915) and Bridget Cherry (1843-1923), married (1907) Matthew Hincks (c1885-1954)

9.      Francis Hincks [Held by Delia] (c1910-1947), son of Delia Madigan (1882-1918) and Matthew Hincks (c1885-1954)

Sources: 

Digital photo courtesy of Marita Madigan McGivney

Photo information from Marita McGivney and Patricia Bulger

Other information Elaine McIntyre Beaudoin website www.McIntyreGenealogy.com

Ellen Madigan, Birth Certificate, 1880

Ellen Madigan was born on May 29, 1880. She was the second child of Bridget Thompson and Patrick Madigan. She was born at home at 3644 Dashield and delivered by mid-wife, Anna Hay. Perhaps, given the midwife was named "Anna," it is the reason Ellen/Nell was "named" Anna on her birth certificate.

Thomas Madigan, 1883-1898

Thomas Madigan, born September 27, 1883, was the fourth child of Patrick and Bridget Madigan. He was born at home at 3644 Dashield Street in Chicago. At the age of 15 he was working as a clerk. Thomas had a pulmonary hemorrhage and died on December 12, 1898 at 93 Sibley Street in Chicago, possibly his place of employment. Because he died in the winter, his body was held in the cemetery vault awaiting the spring thaw. Bridget Thompson Madigan purchased an 8 x 10 gravesite, Lot 15, block 6, section Z, in Calvary Cemtery, Evanston, Illinois on March 15, 1899 so Thomas could be laid to rest. Along with Thomas in the gravesite is his Mom, Bridget Thompson Madigan, and brothers James and Harry (Patrick).

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.

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."

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 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.