ESTHER S. (BACKE) McELENY

(NO GRAVESTONE)

B. February 22, 1884 in Oslo, Oslo commune, Oslo fylke, Norway
D. September 9, 1961 in Waukegan, Lake County, IL
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  • Father: Axel Volmar Backe
  • Mother: Thrine (Nelson) Backe (aka Catherine Baker) born about 1857 in Norway; immigrated to U.S. about 1895 (NOTE: According to the 1910 U.S. Census, Catherine Baker was living with her daughter and son-in-law, Marie and William Taylor) (NOTE: According to the 1920 U.S. Census, Thrine Backer was the head of the household and living with her was her daughter, Marie Taylor, who was widowed)
  • Husband: Frank Wilbur McEleny born October 2, 1883 in Clinton, Clinton County, OH, son of Michael McElaney and Ellen (Moore) McEleney; married Esther S. Baker on January 25, 1909 in Chicago, Cook County, IL; Frank died June 28, 1944 in Round Lake, Lake County, IL (See section pertaining to Frank Wilbur McEleny buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery)
  • Children:
    1. Allen Wayne McEleny (aka Allen Wilbur McEleny) born March 12, 1910 in Chicago, Cook County, IL; Veteran (August 4, 1942 – September 8, 1966) PHCM U.S. Navy, World War II, Korea, Vietnam; married (1) Dorothy M. Jones on December 13, 1935 in Cook County, IL; married (2) Thelma Lee Hanen on November 17, 1990 in Escambia County, FL; Allen died August 31, 1997; buried in Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola, Escambia County, FL

According to the Pensacola News Journal (Pensacola FL) Sunday, September 7, 1997, page 28:

“A. Wayne “Mr. Mac”
McEleny

   A. Wayne “Mr. Mac” McEleny, passed away in a nursing home Sunday, August 31, 1997.
   Mr. Mac was born in Round Lake Park, Ill.  He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving for 26 years during World War II, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War.  He received many awards and medals, including the Purple Heart and the Presidential Citation with a “V” and stars.  He retired from the military in 1966.  His memberships included the Shriners of the Al Bahr Lodge of San Diego, the V.F.W. Lodge #4407 of which he was a life member, and the Elks Lodge #2787.
   He is survived by his wife, Lee Hanen McEleny of Gulf Breeze.
   Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 10, 1997, at Barrancas National Cemetery.
   Oak Lawn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
   Friends may call at the funeral home from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday.
   In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the building fund of the Elks Lodge #2787, P.O. Box 5387, Navarre 32566.”

  • Siblings:
    • Marie (Baker) Taylor born about 1890 in Norway; married William Taylor

Additional Information:

According to the 1900 U.S. Census for City of Chicago, West Town, Cook County, IL, living at 39 Iowa Street, the household members were:

“Thrine Becker, head, born December 1857, age 42, widowed, 6 children born, 4 children living, born in Norway, parents born in Norway, Immigration Year: 1896, Number of Years in the U.S.: 4, Occupation: Cuff & Collar maker; Esther Becker, daughter, born January 1884, age 16, single, born in Norway, Immigration Year: 1896, Number of Years in the U.S.: 4, Occupation; Button-hole maker; Marie Becker, daughter, born September 1888, age 11, single, born in Norway, Immigration Year: 1896, Number of Years in the U.S.: 4; Sigfried Hindall, boarder, born  October 1877, age 22, married, Years married: 3, 1 child born, 1 child living, born in Norway, parents born in Norway, Immigration Year: 1892, Number of Years in the U.S.: 8, Le Roy Hindall, boarder, born October 1897, age 2, single, born in Illinois”

According to the 1910 U.S. Census for Chicago City, Cook County, IL living on 1930 on North 40th Avenue, the household members were:

“Frank McEleny, head, age 26, married for 1 year, born in Iowa, parents born in Massachusetts, occupation: toolmaker; Esther McEleny, wife, age 25, married for 1 year, 1 child born, 1 child living, born in Norway, parents born in Norway, immigrated in 1897; Ella McEleny (sic – Allen), daughter (sic – son), age 1/12, born in Illinois”

According to the 1920 U.S. Census for Chicago City, Town of Jefferson, Cook County, IL living at 5111 Berenice Avnue, the household members were:

“Frank W. McElroy (sic), head, age 36, married, born in Iowa, parents born in Ireland, Occupation; Tool & Die Maker – Steele Corp; Esther McElroy (sic) wife, age 35, married, Immigration Year: “un”; Naturalized, born in Norway, parents born in Norway; Allen W. McElroy (sic) son, age 9 10/12, single, born in Illinois”

According to the U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995: 1921-1927 (Seattle, Washington, City Directories):

(1921 Directory) “McEleny Frank W (Esther) too mkr h310 W 72d”
(1922 Directory) “McEleny Frank W (Esther) toolmkr h310 W 72d”
(1925 Directory) “McEleny Frank W (Esther) tool mkr hB 2527 Alki av”
(1926 Directory) “McEleny Frank W (Esther A) toolmkr h3214 Alki av”
(1927 Directory) “McEleny Frank W (Esther) toolmkr h2527 Alki av”

According to the U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 (1928 Chicago Street and Avenue Guide):

“McEleny Frank (Esther) tool die maker Thor Elec Co r 6569 Ebinger Drive”

According to the 1930 U.S. Census for Niles Village, Niles Township, Cook County, IL living on 6569 Ebinger Drive, the household members were:

“Frank W. McEleny, head, age 46, married at age 25, born in Iowa, parents born in Ireland, occupation: tool & die – electrical; Ester S. McEleny, wife, age 45, married at age 24, born in Norway, parents born in Norway, immigrated 1894; Allen W. McEleny, son, age 20, single, born in Illinois; occupation: cabinet maker – radio”

According to the Lake County Illinois Genealogical Society. “Strang Funeral Home – Grayslake, Illinois – 1908-1964”. Mundelein IL. 2015:

“Surname: McELENY; Name: Sarah; BirthDate/Place: 22 Feb 1884, Oslo NOR; Death Date/Place: 09 Sep 1961, Waukegan; Cause of Death: Bowel Obstruction; Widow; Occupation: (blank); Minister – Funeral Home: Rev. LIDDICOAT, Chapel; Burial Place – Next of Kin: Fort Hill, Axel Volmar BACKE-Father, Thrine NELSON-Mother”