Family name is spelled on one census as Connell and as O'Connel on another. Other records show the current spelling.
Little is known about Michael or Elizabeth. The biggest unknowns are when did they immigrate and how, did they come with other family or did he or Elizabeth already have family in America. Elizabeth supposedly immigrated when she was ~16 so it is very likely that she came with other family members. Only Elizabeth's obituary mentions a siblling; her sister from Marshall Missouri.
They had 6 children:
1. John J (1863 or 1864 -1928)
2. William James (1866 - 1945))
3. Catherine "Kate" Elizabeth O'Connell Gottschalg (1869 - 1950
4. David H (1870 - ?) probably died young because there are no records for him after his baptism
5. Michael Jr "Harry Michael" (1873 - 1929)
6. Dennis (1875 - ?)
I do not have any photos. Three of their children John, Harry and Kate look short or average height so it can be assumed that they were not tall.
The only records I have are for when they lived a while in Memphis TN and then Joliet IL. It is not clear if they were both from Memphis. It is not known why they settled in Joliet. Michael worked as a carpenter most of the time. In Joliet they initially lived in the downtown boarding house that Elizabeth operated while Michael was a saloon keeper. In the 1880s they moved to a house south of downtown.
A lawsuit ensued among the family from a property dispute (perhaps over Elizabeth's share after her death). This created a rift in the family. Harry and Dennis left Joliet. Harry may have changed his name from Michael Jr due to this rift. Wm James was living in Cincinnati at the time of her death.
From 1871 to 1888, these other O'Connells were living in Joliet and having children: Charles, Maurice, Patrick and Stephen. But there is no information to indicate if they were related to Michael or not. Source: St. Mary's Catholic Church downtown baptism records.
These other O'Connells are buried in St. Pats Cemetery but again, no information whether they are related or not. Daniel (d1880 age 26), Mary (d1892 age 25), Jerry (d1878) and Richard (d1889 age 54). Source: personal correspondence, St. Pat's records and FindaGrave.
Michael's grandchildren (The Gottschalgs) did not mention any other family but it is possible that any siblings had been dead for decades before the grandchildren were born and therefore not discussed.
The only records I have are for when they lived a while in Memphis TN and then Joliet IL. It is not clear if they were both from Memphis. It is not known why they settled in Joliet. Michael worked as a carpenter most of the time. In Joliet they initially lived in the downtown boarding house that Elizabeth operated while Michael was a saloon keeper. In the 1880s they moved to a house south of downtown.
A lawsuit ensued among the family from a property dispute (perhaps over Elizabeth's share after her death). This created a rift in the family. Harry and Dennis left Joliet. Harry may have changed his name from Michael Jr due to this rift. Wm James was living in Cincinnati at the time of her death.
From 1871 to 1888, these other O'Connells were living in Joliet and having children: Charles, Maurice, Patrick and Stephen. But there is no information to indicate if they were related to Michael or not. Source: St. Mary's Catholic Church downtown baptism records.
These other O'Connells are buried in St. Pats Cemetery but again, no information whether they are related or not. Daniel (d1880 age 26), Mary (d1892 age 25), Jerry (d1878) and Richard (d1889 age 54). Source: personal correspondence, St. Pat's records and FindaGrave.
Michael's grandchildren (The Gottschalgs) did not mention any other family but it is possible that any siblings had been dead for decades before the grandchildren were born and therefore not discussed.
FAMILY RUMORS AND LEGENDS
Michael's father's name was Patrick.
Michael was from County Kerry.
DOCUMENTED TIMELINE
Both born in Ireland. Source: 1870 & 1880 Federal Censuses
Michael's birth date was~1835 to ~1843 Sources: Michael's obituary in Joliet Republican Newspaper and 1870 and 1880 Federal Censuses.
Elizabeth's birth date was ~1835 to ~1839. Her obituary says Bridget but census records and death certificate show Elizabeth. Perhaps Bridget was her middle name. Source: Elizabeth's obituary and 1870 and 1880 Censuses.
Elizabeth's maiden name was Maher. Source: Son Wm James death record
~1855 Elizabeth immigrated to America at ~ age 16. Her obituary mentioned "A residence of 33 years", probably a typo meant to read "resident". There are a handful of "E" ,"Elisa" and "Eliza" Mahers of her approximate age who immigrated in the 1850-1860 timeframe. Source: obituary and familysearch records.
18?? Michael's immigration.
18?? Michael's immigration.
One possible immigration route was from Europe to New Orleans then by paddleboat up the Mississippi to St. Louis. (Then to Memphis?) Then by canal boat up the Illinois and Des Plaines rivers to Joliet.
May 7, 1862 Memphis TN, Marriage of Michael Connell and Elizabeth Maher?? (The family name was shown as Connell on the 1870 Federal Census in Joliet IL.) There were two Michael Connells living in Memphis in 1860. Since his exact age is uncertain, it is difficult to determine if either of them was the groom. The marriage bond is signed Michal not Michael. Sources: TN County Marriages marriage certificate, marriage bond
It is likely married a year or two before John was born in 1863 or 1864. So a marriage date of 1862 seems probable.
Her death record states she was a resident of Illinois for 24 years. That would place her in Joliet since ~1864, about the time John was born. But, she and Michael were in Memphis in 1866 at the time of William James' birth. Source: death record
It is likely married a year or two before John was born in 1863 or 1864. So a marriage date of 1862 seems probable.
Her death record states she was a resident of Illinois for 24 years. That would place her in Joliet since ~1864, about the time John was born. But, she and Michael were in Memphis in 1866 at the time of William James' birth. Source: death record
Nov 12, 1863 or 1864 son John was born. Location is not clear except that it was in the USA. Federal 1870 & 1880 censuses show him 1 to 2 years older than Wm J (b 1866), so an 1870 birth date on John's death record does not appear correct. Combination of Sources: 1870 & 1880 Censuses and John's first marriage record.
18?? Memphis TN, Michael's occupation was "civil servant". Source: special post-civil war census on Ancenstry.com? (no copy)
Jun 12, 1866 Memphis TN, son William James was born. Sources: Wm J death record (shows year) and death record of Wm J's son, David (shows Memphis).
Aug 21,1869 Joliet IL, daughter Catherine Elizabeth (Kate) Gottschalg was born. Source: Find a Grave
Jun 28,1870 Joliet, IL son David H born. St. Mary's record shows baptism on July 24th. This child is not listed on June 30th Federal Census nor mentioned in any subsequent records nor mentioned by Kate's children (who knew their uncles), so it can be assumed that he died young. Source: St. Mary's Catholic Church.
1870 Joliet IL, Michael is "keeping saloon" and Elizabeth is "keeping house" and running a boarding house with 1 helper and 8 boarders. Source: 1870 Federal Census.
Sep 27, 1873 Joliet IL, son Michael Jr (Harry) born. Source: Harry's death record.
Apr 11, 1875 Joliet IL, son Dennis born. Source: St. Mary's Catholic Church.
1880 at 65 Scott St, Joliet IL, occupation "carpenter". They were living next door to a John Gleason family but it is unclear if they are somehow related to John O'Connell's wife, Lizzie Gleason. It is not her parents or brother. Source: 1880 Federal Census. Also see Lizzie Gleason's history.
1883 Joliet IL, bought land in Joliet. Source: Will County deed records (no copy)
Dec 10, 1888 at 724 S Joliet St, Joliet IL, Elizabeth dies "age 49" at home. The flowery prose of her obituary is worth reading. People don't write like that anymore. Source: obituary
She died of "Bright's disease" complicated by a heart problem. She was sick about a year before she died. She was buried Dec 12th in St. Patrick's Cemetery. Source: death record
She died of "Bright's disease" complicated by a heart problem. She was sick about a year before she died. She was buried Dec 12th in St. Patrick's Cemetery. Source: death record
1889-1890. 724 S Joliet St, Michael's occupation is "carpenter". Michael Jr, occupation "printer" lives next door at 722 S Joliet St. Source: Joliet City Directory (no copy)
???? Joliet IL, lawsuit filed. Source: Will County records (no copy)
1892 Joliet IL, Michael's location is "boards Joliet house" and occupation is "works". Source Joliet City directory
1895 Joliet IL, Michael sold land he previously bought. Source: Will County deed records (no copy)
???? Joliet, IL builds house at 133 Willow Ave across the street from St. Patricks School. May have borrowed money from a Mr. Haley to do so. Michael does not appear to live in this house until starting ~1906, 4 years before he dies in it. His son William James and his family live there for several decades. Source: Will County deed records (no copy)
1900 Joliet, IL Michael is NOT listed as living at 133 Willow Ave in Federal Census.
1901-1902, 611 S. Ottawa St. Joliet IL, Michael's occupation is "laborer" and he is a boarder. Source: Joliet City Directory (no copy)
1906-1907, 133 Willow Ave Joliet IL, No occupation shown for Michael. He is boarding with his son William James and his family. Source: Joliet City Directory (no copy)
1901-1902, 611 S. Ottawa St. Joliet IL, Michael's occupation is "laborer" and he is a boarder. Source: Joliet City Directory (no copy)
1906-1907, 133 Willow Ave Joliet IL, No occupation shown for Michael. He is boarding with his son William James and his family. Source: Joliet City Directory (no copy)
May 2, 1910 Joliet IL, Michael dies at 133 Willow Ave, home of son William James and was buried St. Patrick's Cemetery. Source: obituary in Joliet Republican newspaper.
There is no known grave markers for Michael or Elizabeth in St. Pat's Cemetery. Here is the link to there memorials on FindaGrave. Michael's grave, Elizabeth's grave. Only Willliam James has a marker that is for his family. William's grave. It is unknown if Michael and Elizabeth are buried in that vicinity.
There is no known grave markers for Michael or Elizabeth in St. Pat's Cemetery. Here is the link to there memorials on FindaGrave. Michael's grave, Elizabeth's grave. Only Willliam James has a marker that is for his family. William's grave. It is unknown if Michael and Elizabeth are buried in that vicinity.
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