Family: Ellen (Nellie) E Madden

circa 1937/8 Jane, Aunt Nell, Tom, Pat and Jim
(Children of Francis Martin Madden)

1858 Albany, NY - 1945 Minneapolis, MN

Besides their three sons, Thomas, John and James and the three children that did not live more than a few years each, Willie, Marie and Margaret, James and Anna had two daughters.

The oldest, Ellen E Madden, better known as Nell, was born in 1858 according to childhood census records.  As she aged the year of birth moved a little later in time.

Nellie and  Betty Madden circa 1942/5

In 1880, Nellie is living with her father and two youngest brothers and keeping house.(1)   Nellie is listed in the Albany City Directories at least until 1883 as a dressmaker living at 165 Colonie which was the family house.  It seems probable that she lived with James up to the time of his death in 1893.

There is a possible listing in New York City in 1894 for Nellie.  Her sister Sarah was a resident at that time.

In 1900 she was living with her brother James and his wife Lillian. A common name and some fudging her age over the years makes it difficult to find Nellie in census records.  In 1903 she was still living in Ashland, whether in James' house or elsewhere is unknown.  It seems possible that she was living in Chicago on her "own income" in 1910.  In 1930 she is living in New York City with her widowed brother-in-law Winfield Morris Scott. No other records have been found until shortly before her death..  I'm sure they exist but are in the "hidden world of missing links."  We do know that she visited family and perhaps for extended stays.

Photo taken by Grand-niece Jane Madden Marqueling

On 7 Mar 1943 Nell moved into St. Otto's Home, which was run by Franciscan Nuns in Little Falls, MN.  She remained there until the day before her death,  26 Jun 1945.  She died in the home of her nephew Carl Madden, 5433 Clinton St., Minneapolis on 27 Jun 1945.(2)  Nellie is buried in St. Patrick's Cemetery in Bay City, MI.



(1) Tenth Census of the United States, 1880.   Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.  Micropublication T9-805, pg 375A, Albany, NY.

(2)Minnestora Death Index Online 1908-2002, St, Paul, Minnesota Historical Society 2001 #020705