Comments on: The Most Exclusive Residence for Sale

By: Eddy

Eddy — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Dan, the modern 42nd is downtown (the old 1st and southern edge of the old 42 after the 92 remap) the modern 43 is Nort Ave.

Borders change over time, the 19th was once on the west side and known as the “bloody 19th” moved to the far south side to irratate the Dutch and other prostents.

Where are the 42/43 modern wards.

Sweep

By: Dan Kelley

Dan Kelley — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

You are quite right about the recent changes occasioned by redistricting. For many years, the historic 42nd and 43rd Wards were immediately North of the Chicago River along the lakefront and bounded by the North Branch of the Chicago River. In former days, before election remap litigation, the ward boundaries did not change so often and when they did the changes were minimal.

By: Dan Kelley

Dan Kelley — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In answer to a question from a reader, O’Banion’s full name was Dean Charles O’Banion, but for whatever reason the newspapers always printed his name as “Dion O’Banion.” Similarly, his birthplace was in Maroa, Illinois, but the press frequently printed “Aurora, Illinois” instead. Nevertheless, he was always “Dean” to his friends and family members and that is the name engraved on his head stone at Mount Carmel.

By: John Powers

John Powers — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Maroa? Home of many illustrious Central Illinois Irishmen, including members of my own family.

O’Banion’s had a barber shop, if I recall, it has been closed a long time.

JBP

By: Dan Kelley

Dan Kelley — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Absolutely correct, John.

The best explaination for the repetitive error in all of the newspaper accounts is that a reporter misheard “Aurora” when O’Banion’s father provided the name “Maroa” to a coroner’s jury.

In almost every account published afterwards, Aurora was listed as O’Banion’s birthplace and hometown. His father once worked as a barber before moving to Chicago. O’Banion’s mother, who died of tuberculosis, is buried in Maroa. When he came into ill gotten money, Dean O’Banion purchased a more expensive headstone for her grave. You will need to seek out Rose Keefe’s book “Guns and Roses” for more details.

By: Finn K

Finn K — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

You mentioned how the Cardinal at the time reassigned the priest to central america for his actions. Could you imagine where father Pfleger (excuse me if I am spelling his name wrong) would have been reassined to based on his actions and defiance of the current cardinal. Mars perhaps?

By: :)

:) — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Dan,

If they map Mell any further North will he still be in the city limits of Chicago?

How much longer will it be before the carve a second downtown ward as the did when 34 move South to adjust for population growth?