Holy Famly Church - Parish Pew Rental - 1896 and Parishioners

Pews and Pewholders

"After a lapse of thirty-three years it is interesting again to study briefly the pew situation, and call to mind, not only the location and schedule of rentals, which we are enabled to do through a diagram prepared under the direction of the pastor, but also again to take note of the principal parishioners represented in the pewholders. This diagram, made accessible through publication in the church Calendar and Sodality Bulletin, illustrates graphically the capacity of the church, the location of the aisles and pillars, and various vacant spaces, Rev. M. P. Dowling, S. J., had the diagram prepared and directed its publication in March, 1896.... Father Dowling estimated that there was only one pew rented to every two hundred of the members of the parish.... At the time this diagram was made, the pew rents ranged from $52.00 a year, for the best pews in the middle aisle, down to $8.00 for the least desirable.
"On the diagram, the schedule of prices marked sets forth the charge made for one sitting for three months.
"At this time the pewholders and the pews occupied by them were as follows:
PEW HOLDERS IN THE HOLY FAMILY CHURCH, 1896."
On page 193, it notes that Philip Sullivan occupied pew #243 in section 7. On the chart it says "243, $2.50, Taken."  Pages 189-193.

Elsewhere in the book on the Holy Family Church are several entries that mention the Sullivan Family:

"Rev. Charles P. Sullivan, S. J., was born October 22, 1883, and entered the Society of Jesus, February 3, 1905.  At present Father Sullivan is doing very proficient work as a professor in Rockhurst College, Kansas City, Mo."  Page 407.

"Peter A. Sullivan of Sholto Street served as usher for a few years from 1904 to 1906.  His people moved out to Evanston, which obliged him to follow.  There were five brothers of this family at one time altar boys, namely: Perter, the usher; Alexander, Michael, Charles, now Rev. Charles Sullivan, S. J., and Phillip."  Pages 660-661.

"Mr. and Mrs. Philip Sullivan, 90 Sholto street, kept a store from 1871 to 1900. Mr. Sullivan's store was very popular in the neighborhood owing to the kindness and charity of the family.  Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan were very much attached to the Church and contributed, as far as their means would permit, to all and every necessity of the church and parish.  There was a large family, five of the boys were at one time serving as Acolytes, one of them Our Lord selected to follow Him as a priest in the Society of Jesus, the Rev. Charles Sullivan, S. J.  This store was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Flanagan, who ran it for several years."  Page 736-737.

In one section of the book the author names parishioners, by street which provides a look at the Sullivan neighbors at the turn of the last century:

"On Sholto street lived William Murphy at the corner of Eleventh street, opposite the Planing Mill.  Theresa Murphy was identified with W. C. O. F.  Her brother, James E., was an exceptional artist as an expert wood engraver.  William was a letter carrier, and Elizabeth Goodbody is a teacher in the Chicago Public Schools.  The following also lived on Sholto: Daniel Short, John Ward, Thomas Kenneally, John Kelly, Frank Gibson, Owen Rooney, Patrick Martin,... Phil Sullivan, Patrick Burke, John Callahan, Thomas Kennedy." Page 948.

Mulkerins, Bro. Thomas M., Holy Family Parish: Priest and People 1857-1923, Chicago, 1923.

Sullivan Tombstone, Calvary Cemetery

 Buried at the Sullivan headstone in Calvary Cemetery, Evanston, Illinois are a number of Sullivan family members. Located at Lot 37, Block 16, Section N, the gravesite was purchased by James Sullivan, nephew of Philip J. Sullivan, on September 18, 1881. The name of the person interred, date of burial and relationship are noted:

- Andrew Sullivan, September 14, 1881, brother of Philip J.
- James P. Sullivan, July 23, 1887, son of Andrew and Margaret (McCaffery)
- Thomas A. Sullivan, April 24, 1895, son of Andrew and Margaret (McCaffery)
- Peter Sullivan, May 26, 1895, son of Andrew and Margaret (McCaffery)
- Michael A. Sullivan, February 10, 1902, son of Philip J. and Ellen
- Philip J. Sullivan, May 28, 1915
- Ellen Connor Sullivan, December 6, 1919, wife of Philip J.
- Jennie Duggan Sullivan, August 1, 1927, second wife of Andrew
- Catherine Sullivan, April 2, 1919, granddaughter of Philip J. and Ellen, daughter of Philip M.
- James Sullivan, April 1, 1929, son of Philip J. and Ellen
- Catherine Sullivan, March 28, 1952, daughter of Andrew and Margaret (McCaffery)
- Philip M. Sullivan, June 22, 1959, son of Philip J. and Ellen
- Nonie Mahony Sullivan, June 8, 1971, wife of Philip M. Sullivan
- Thomas L. Sullivan, March 12, 1990, son of Philip M. and Nonie

In Lot 42, Block 16, Section N (the backside of the stone) are buried Andrew and Philip's brother, Patrick.

Philip J. Sullivan, Will 1909

The handwritten will reads:
This is the last will and testament of one Philip Sullivan made this eighth day of December A. D. 1909 in Evanston, County of Cook, and State of Illinois. As follows.
I bequeath all my property real estate and personal whatsoever and whensoever to my Wife Ellen Sullivan and appoint my said wife executrix of this my will and thereby revoke all other wills.
In witness where of I here unto set my hand and seal, the day and year above mentioned. Signed: Philip Sullivan
The wills in 1909 were short and to the point!
The two witnesses to the will, Charles J. Connor and William Connor, are sons of James C. Connor, the brother of Ellen.

Philip J. Sullivan, Application for Letters Testamentary

This document, an Application for Letters Testamentary, is from the estate file of Philip J. Sullivan. It nominates Ellen Connor Sullivan as executrix of his will. Of significance is the listing of who survives Philip. The list includes his wife and all of his living children along with their addresses in 1915.

Sullivan Evanston Home

The Evanston Historical Society (Evanston History Center) holds building permit #152 issued to Mr. P. Sullivan to erect a 2 story and basement flat of 12 rooms, 30 feet front: 52 feet deep by 36 feet from ground level to highest point. The architect is listed as S. A. Jennings and the builder is given as Connor & McCann. Cost of the building was $4,500. It was approved for habitation on September 14, 1893. Address: 833-35 Madison. Photo from 1973, Evanston Historical Society.

Ellen Connor Sullivan, Death Certificate

Ellen Connor Sullivan died on December 3, 1919, just four years after her husband, Philip. While she was ill, she was staying with her daughter, Mary Sullivan Hoy who lived at 3917 Gladys Avenue in Chicago where she died. Ellen was 71 at the time of her death. Similar to her husband, she also died of heart trouble. Her death certificate states she died of cardiac exhaustion with pulmonary edema, e.g., fluid accumulation in the lungs. A contributing factor was arteriosclerosis. She is buried with her husband in Calvary Cemetery, Evanston.

Philip Sullivan, Death Certificate

Philip J. Sullivan died at age 75 in Evanston, Illinois on May 25, 1915. For most of his life in Illinois, he was a grocery merchant. His death certificate states he worked at this occupation from 1860 to 1909. Prior to living in Evanston, he lived at 90 Sholto Street in Chicago. Sholto Street is now called Union Avenue. His death certificate states that his mother's maiden name was McCabe, but on other documents it is listed as either Leddy or Corcoran. Since the informant of the death certificate, his son Philip M., did not know the first name of either parent, I have less confidence in McCabe being the maiden name of Philip J. Sullivan's mother. He died from a cerebral hemorrhage complicated by arteriosclerosis. Philip is buried at Calvary Cemetery in Evanston.