Biographies and Obituaries
In loving memory
Ellen (McCarthy) Madden
History of the Catholic Church in Indiana
Logansport, Ind: A.W.Bowen, 1898
Mrs. Ellen Madden, one of the most highly esteemed ladies of St. Mary's parish, Daviess county, Ind., was born about 1829 in the city of Cork, Ireland, the third in the family of three sons and seven daughters that blessed the marriage of Dennis and Margaret (Healy) McCarthy. Of these ten children three still survive, viz: Mrs. Madden; John, a farmer of Barr township, and a member of St. Mary's congregation; and Isadora, wife of Michael Foley, also a farmer and a member of St. Simon's congregation.Ellen McCarthy was a child but two years old when brought to America by her mother, the father having preceded his family in order to secure them a home prior to their arrival. After a voyage of seven weeks and three days between Cork and New Orleans they landed in safety, and a few weeks later went to Frankfort, Ky., where Ellen was confirmed in the Catholic faith at the age of thirteen years. In or about 1841, the family settled in St. Mary's parish, Barr township, Daviess county, Ind., the township being then a wilderness. April 27, 1858, Miss Ellen was united in matrimony, by Rev. Father Mougin, with John Madden. The late John Madden was born in Baltimore, Md., July 13, 1832, and was reared to hard toil. After coming to Indiana he helped to excavate the canal at Terre Haute, and also to grade the Baltimore & Ohio railroad. On reaching his majority he had no capital, but by thrift and industry succeeded in acquiring a competency, and in this he was largely aided by his willing wife. His first ownership of land was in Martin county, in 1845, which land was purchased for him by his father, and in 1855 he made his first purchase in Daviess county; at his death, which occured march 18, 1896, he possessed 618 acres in Barr and Van Buren townships, all the result of his own good management and the frugality of his helpmate. In politics he was a democrat, and in religion one of the most devout of Catholics, and as a citizen was honored by all who knew him. As a husband and a father he was extremely affectionate, and his loving wife and children have erected a beautiful granite monument, in sacred remembrance of him, over his resting place in St. Mary's cemetery.
The children that blessed the marriage of Mr. & Mrs. Madden were eight in number: three sons and five daughters, and of these the following named have still survived: Jeremiah M. who was confirmed by Bishop de St. Palais, in now a prominent member of St. Mary's congregation, and in politics he is a democrat; Margaret A. was confirmed by Bishop de St. Palais, and is a Sister of Providence at St. Mary's of the Woods; Hannah A. was also confirmed by Bishop de St. Palais, and is the chief reliance of her mother in the care of the homestead; William D. was confirmed by Bishop Chatard, at the age of fourteen years, is a democrat in politics, and manages the home farm; Malachi J., also confirmed by Bishop Chatard, at the age of fifteen, May 24, 1886, is a democrat in politics, and, like his brother, William D., cast his first presidential vote for Grover Cleveland; he, also, makes his home on his mother's homestead.
Mrs. Madden is very liberal in her contributions to the church,and no lady in the parish is held in higher esteem than herself.
Contributed by: John D. McMullen