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Carney, Ellen

From the "The Village of Harlem: Its People, Homes and Business – 50^th Anniversary Souvenir 1856 to 1906"

"A woman of culture, refinement, and one held in high esteem by her neighbors and friends is Mrs. Ellen Carney who was born in Ireland in 1858 and came to Chicago in 1878.  She was married in that city in 1884 to Mr. Peter Carney, the son of Mr. Joseph Carney, who was one of the earliest settlers of Cook County, and one of the largest land holders on the West Side.  In 1853 Mr. Peter Carney's father purchased a 40-acre tract of land on the site of the present village.  The land was low and unpromising, but by diligent labor he drained it, improved it and finally made it the finest truck farming land west of Chicago.  Mr. Carney's father died in 1872.  The property came into possession of Mr. Peter Carney.  He continued to use it as a truck farm until 1887 when it was subdivided and made into town lots.  The property was south of Madison St., between Hannah St. and Harlem Ave.  Mr. Peter Carney died in 1896 which was a great loss, not only to his family but also to the village.

"Since Mr. Carney death, Mrs. Carney has managed the estate and educated her children.  She is a loving mother, and has one of the most pleasant and ideal homes in the village at Madison and Merengo Sts.  She and her family are devout members of St. Luke's Catholic Church, River Forest.  She has five children who live with her -- Joseph, John, Mary, Peter and William."