Ellen Sexton Nolan (1860–1936) was the Minnesota‑born daughter of Irish immigrants William Sexton and Frances Sweeney, and the longtime wife of your ancestor James S. Nolan (1856–1934).

🧬 Who Ellen Sexton Was — A Clear, Evidence‑Based Profile

Identity

• Full name: Ellen (Lucentia) Sexton Nolan

• Born: 20 Oct 1861 (some records say 24 Apr 1862 or Oct 1860 — typical 19th‑century variation)

• Birthplace: Lake City / West Albany, Wabasha County, Minnesota

• Died: 5 May 1936, Minneapolis, Minnesota

• Burial: St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Minneapolis

Parents

• Father: William Sexton (c.1826–1891), born in Ireland

• Mother: Frances Sweeney (c.1828–1912), born in Belfast, Ireland

Both parents immigrated from Ireland and settled in Wabasha County, Minnesota — a major early Irish Catholic settlement along the Mississippi River.

Siblings

Ellen grew up in a large Irish Catholic family with the following documented siblings:

• Thomas M. Sexton (1855–1888)

• John M. Sexton (1858–1909)

• William H. Sexton (1864–1943)

• Edward F. Sexton

• Daniel Sexton (1866–1947)

• Michael H. Sexton

• Mary Frances Sexton (1870–1934)

This aligns with the Sexton family structure you already have for your lineage site.

📚 Education & Early Life

Ellen attended Villa Maria Academy in Frontenac, Minnesota — a Catholic girls’ school run by the Ursuline Sisters.

This is a strong indicator of the Sexton family’s social standing and commitment to Catholic education.

💍 Marriage to James S. Nolan

• Married: 27 September 1887

• Location: Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Minneapolis

This marriage united two Irish Catholic immigrant families — the Sextons (Minnesota Irish) and the Nolans (Pennsylvania Irish).

Children with James S. Nolan

You already have these documented, but for completeness:

• William Leo Nolan (1888–1968)

• Mathew J. Nolan (1889–1929)

• Aloysius Thomas Nolan (1894–1948)

🏠 Later Life

By the 1900s–1930s, Ellen lived in Minneapolis for over 55 years, with her final residence recorded as 1767 Irving Ave S.

Her death certificate lists her son A.T. Nolan (Aloysius Thomas) as the informant.

🧭 Summary

Ellen Sexton Nolan was:

• A Minnesota‑born daughter of Irish immigrants

• Raised in a large Wabasha County Irish Catholic family

• Educated at a respected Catholic academy

• Married into the Nolan–Shea Pennsylvania‑Irish line

• A lifelong Minneapolis resident and matriarch of your direct Nolan branch