Ellen B. “Nellie” McCanna Sheridan
Ellen B. "Nellie" McCanna Sheridan
Ellen B. McCanna—known all her life as Nellie—was the sixth child of Charles and Susan (Hamill) McCanna. Born in Joliet, Illinois, on January 12, 1868, she would live her entire 69 years in the city where her Irish immigrant parents had settled. Her story encompasses marriage, motherhood, divorce, and a career that made her a businesswoman in an era when few women held such positions.
Nellie's baptism record at St. Patrick's Church identifies her as "McKenna, Ellen," born January 2, 1868, to Charles McKenna and Susan Hammond—the Hamill name rendered in yet another phonetic variation. Her baptismal sponsor was Ellen McKenna, likely a relative from the extended McCanna family network.
For many years, Nellie served as manager of the National Hotel in Joliet—a position of considerable responsibility in the city's hospitality industry. Her obituary noted that she had retired "ten years ago," suggesting a career that spanned decades. When she died in 1937, she was remembered as a member of the Altar & Rosary Society and the Third Order of St. Francis, a woman who had navigated adversity with resilience and maintained her connection to faith and community.
Verified Identity — Ellen B. "Nellie" McCanna Sheridan
| Full Name | Ellen B. McCanna (known as Nellie) |
| Birth | January 12, 1868 — Joliet, Will County, Illinois |
| Death | March 26, 1937 — Joliet, Will County, Illinois (age 69) |
| Burial | March 29, 1937 — St. Patrick's Cemetery, Joliet |
| Parents | Charles McCanna (Ireland) and Susan Hammill (Ireland) |
| Spouse | Patrick John Sheridan (1865–1942) — married December 20, 1886 in Chicago, divorced 1897 |
| Children | 3 sons: James F. (1886–1953), John Patrick (1889–1954), Patrick (1891–1895) |
| Occupation | Manager, National Hotel, Joliet |
| Residence | 908 N. Hickory Street, Joliet (at time of death) |
Part I: Childhood in the McCanna Household
Joliet, Illinois, 1868–1885
Ellen was born into a bustling household on North Broadway in Joliet. By the time of the 1870 census, taken when she was two years old, she was one of seven children living with Charles (48, laborer) and Susan (33). The family had established themselves in Joliet's Irish immigrant community, with Charles owning $400 worth of real estate—a modest but significant achievement for a laboring family.
The 1880 census provides an interesting detail: Ellen appears as "Agnes," age 12, listed as attending school. Whether this was a census error, a middle name, or a brief use of an alternate given name, she would be known as Ellen—and more commonly as Nellie—for the rest of her life. By 1880, the McCanna household had grown to nine children, with Charles still working as a laborer at age 60.
Her baptismal record from January 1868 shows the family's Catholic roots firmly established at St. Patrick's Church in Joliet. The record identifies her sponsor as Ellen McKenna—suggesting that young Ellen may have been named for this relative. The priest who officiated, Father P. Farrelly, served the parish throughout this period, baptizing multiple McCanna children.
Ellen's baptismal record shows her born "January 2, 1868" to "Charles McKenna & Susan Hammond"—with the Hamill surname rendered as "Hammond," another phonetic variation that occurred when Irish names were recorded by ear. The sponsor "Ellen McKenna" suggests the child was named for this relative, continuing the Irish tradition of naming children after sponsors or family members.
Part II: Marriage and Motherhood
The Sheridan Years, 1885–1897
Nellie married Patrick John Sheridan on December 20, 1886, in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. The marriage record from the Illinois Marriage Index identifies her as "Nellie B. McCanna," age 19, and Patrick Sheridan, age 22—both listed as single. Why they married in Chicago rather than at St. Patrick's in Joliet remains unknown, but the choice may have reflected family connections or simply practical circumstances.
The couple's first son, James F., was born in 1886—the same year as their December wedding. John Patrick followed in 1889, and Patrick Jr. in 1891. The family was growing quickly in the early years of the marriage.
Tragedy struck the young family when their youngest son, Patrick, died in 1895 at just three years of age. This loss was followed by the dissolution of Nellie's marriage. According to family records preserved on Find A Grave, her marriage to Patrick Sheridan "ended in divorce in 1897." This was an unusual step for a Catholic woman in the 1890s, suggesting circumstances severe enough to warrant such a drastic measure despite the social stigma involved.
The 1900 census provides a glimpse of the aftermath: Nellie's two surviving sons, James (age 11) and John (age 10), appear on the same census page as their grandmother Susan McCanna's household, listed as "Sherdon James" (son-in-law entry error) and "John"—a "grandson" in Susan's enumeration. Whether Nellie was living nearby or the boys were staying with their grandmother, the family maintained close ties.
The Illinois Marriage Index confirms the wedding: Nellie B. McCanna, age 19, married Patrick Sheridan, age 22, on December 20, 1886, in Chicago, Cook County. The record notes both parties as "Single" and provides the FHL Film Number 1030160. This marriage took place in Chicago rather than at Nellie's home parish in Joliet—a detail that raises questions about family connections or circumstances that led to the Chicago venue.
Children of Ellen "Nellie" McCanna and Patrick John Sheridan
Part III: A Career Woman
The National Hotel and Independence, 1897–1927
After her divorce, Nellie faced the challenge of supporting herself and her two young sons as a single mother in late nineteenth-century America. Her response was remarkable: she built a career in hotel management that would span decades.
Her obituary noted that "for many years she was manager of the National Hotel, retiring ten years ago." Given her death in 1937, this places her retirement around 1927 and suggests a career that may have begun shortly after her divorce in 1897. Managing a hotel required business acumen, personnel management skills, and the ability to navigate a male-dominated commercial world—all achievements that speak to Nellie's determination and capability.
The 1920 census shows Nellie at age 52, living at 908 N. Hickory Street along with her brother James McCanna (age 54, laborer) and sister Kathryn/Catherine McCanna. The household arrangement suggests mutual support among the unmarried McCanna siblings. By 1930, the same household at 908 N. Hickory continued: Nellie (listed as Ellen, age 62), James (age 64, laborer, "Water Dept, City of Joliet"), and Catherine (age 62). This living arrangement—three siblings sharing a home into their sixties—would persist until Nellie's death.
"For many years she was manager of the National Hotel, retiring ten years ago."
Part IV: Death and Legacy
March 1937
Nellie McCanna Sheridan died on the morning of March 26, 1937, at her home at 908 N. Hickory Street in Joliet. She was 69 years old and had been suffering from "a lingering illness." Her death certificate records her marital status as "W" (widowed)—though her ex-husband Patrick Sheridan would live until 1942—and her occupation simply as "At Home."
The obituary in the Joliet Evening Herald News celebrated her as a "Joliet Native" who "was born in Joliet, the daughter of Mrs. Charles McCanna, and lived in the city all her life." This framing—identifying her through her mother rather than her father—is unusual for the era and may reflect Susan McCanna's prominence in the community during her long widowhood, or simply the fact that Susan's obituary from 1917 was still within living memory.
Nellie was survived by two sons—James and John Sheridan—one sister, Mrs. Catherine McCanna, and two brothers, Frank and William, "all of Joliet." The funeral was held from her home on Monday morning, with services at St. Raymond's Church at 9:30. She was buried in St. Patrick's Cemetery, reunited in death with her parents Charles and Susan McCanna.
"Mrs. Nellie McCanna Sheridan, 69 years old, 908 N. Hickory Street, died this morning at her home after a lingering illness. She was born in Joliet, the daughter of Mrs. Charles McCanna, and lived in the city all her life. For many years she was manager of the National Hotel, retiring ten years ago. Surviving are two sons, James and John Sheridan, one sister, Mrs. Catherine McCanna, and two brothers, Frank and William, all of Joliet. Funeral will be from the home Monday at 9 o'clock to St. Raymond's church at 9:30 o'clock. Burial will be in St. Patrick's cemetery. Mrs. Sheridan was a member of the Altar & Rosary Society and also the Third Order of St. Francis."
Five DNA-Tested Descendants
Ellen "Nellie" McCanna Sheridan has the most DNA-tested descendants of any McCanna child in our research. Five confirmed descendants have tested and share genetic matches with other Donaghmoyne Network families:
Through James F. Sheridan (1886–1953): Multiple tested descendants
Through John Patrick Sheridan (1889–1954): Multiple tested descendants, including mother-daughter pair
These DNA matches provide crucial triangulation evidence linking the McCanna/Hamill line to the broader Donaghmoyne Network, including connections to descendants of Owen Hammel & Ann King (married 1846) and other documented Donaghmoyne couples.
Full DNA analysis and match data are presented in Episode 5: DNA Analysis and Conclusions.
Chicago Wedding: Why did Nellie and Patrick marry in Chicago rather than at St. Patrick's Church in Joliet where her family worshipped? Did the Sheridan family have connections in Chicago, or were there other circumstances?
Divorce Circumstances: What led to the divorce in 1897—an unusual step for a Catholic woman? Are there court records that might shed light on the circumstances?
The "B" in Ellen B.: The marriage record confirms her middle initial as "B." What does it stand for? No records have yet revealed her full middle name.
National Hotel History: Can we document Nellie's career at the National Hotel through city directories, newspaper advertisements, or other sources?
Timeline
From McCanna Daughter to Independent Businesswoman
January 12: Ellen "Nellie" McCanna born in Joliet, Illinois, to Charles and Susan (Hamill) McCanna. Baptized at St. Patrick's Church; sponsor Ellen McKenna
June 16: Census shows Ellen age 2 in McCanna household, North Broadway, Joliet
June 7: Census shows "Agnes" (Ellen) age 12, attending school
December 20: Nellie B. McCanna (age 19) marries Patrick Sheridan (age 22) in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
Son James F. Sheridan born
Son John Patrick Sheridan born
Son Patrick Sheridan born
Son Patrick Sheridan dies at age three
Divorce: Marriage to Patrick Sheridan ends; Ellen begins career supporting herself and two sons
December: Father Charles McCanna dies in Joliet
June 2: Census shows sons James (11) and John (10) near grandmother Susan McCanna's household
December 15: Mother Susan (Hamill) McCanna dies at 1000 N. Broadway, Joliet
Census shows Nellie (age 52) at 908 N. Hickory Street with siblings James and Catherine McCanna
Retires as manager of the National Hotel after decades of service
Census shows Ellen (age 62) still at 908 N. Hickory with James (64, Water Dept.) and Catherine (62)
March 26: Ellen "Nellie" McCanna Sheridan dies at 908 N. Hickory Street, age 69
March 29: Buried St. Patrick's Cemetery, Joliet
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