Alex and Nell (Madigan) Sullivan

Alex and Nell (Madigan) Sullivan
Alex and Nell (Madigan) Sullivan in backyard of 18 N. Latrobe, Chicago, Illinois c1937

About Alex Sullivan and Nell Madigan

About Alex Sullivan and Nell Madigan

Alexander Aloysius Sullivan was born on March 24, 1880 in Chicago, Illinois. He was the seventh of ten children born to Philip J. Sullivan (1840-1915) and Ellen Connor (1848-1919). Ellen "Nell" Theresa Madigan was also born in Chicago, the second of seven children born to Patrick Madigan (c1850-1890) and Bridget "Bessie" Thompson (1855-1935). They married at St. Agatha's Catholic Church on August 20, 1907. They raised two children, Thomas Aloysius born July 7, 1908 (See also Sullivan/Carmody Blog) and Helen Mae born March 11, 1914 (See also McIntyre/Sullivan Blog), on the west side of Chicago. Alex, or "Al" as Nell called him, was a steamfitter his whole life. Al worked for Mehring and Hanson located at Jefferson and Randolph in Chicago. Mehring and Hanson eventually became Hill Mechanical which is still in business in Chicago today. Nell raised the two children and was a homemaker her entire life. Al was almost six feet tall, which for his time was quite tall. Nell, on the other hand, was only about five-feet-two inches and in her older years much shorter than that! Al and Nell both died at their home located at 18 North Latrobe in Chicago, Al on January 26, 1956 and Nell, ten years later, on January 21, 1966.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Happy 131st Birthday, Nell Madigan Sullivan

Ellen "Nell" Madigan would have been 131 on May 29, 2011. Since her birthday often fell over Memorial Day, the family always celebrated her special day on that weekend. Here are some photos from her life.

Nell, c late 1890s, probably in South Haven, Michigan
where she would often go for summer visits with Laura Carmody.

Al and Nell, c early 1930s, with daughter, Helen

Nell with grandson, Tom,
in backyard of 18 N. Latrobe, c1937

She was a wonderful lady who was a super cook (oh those roast beefs), a fun grandmother and a devout Catholic, attending Mass everyday.  Happy Birthday!