The Sullivan Family of Adair County, Iowa

JAHU B. SULLIVAN.

Jahu B. Sullivan, one of the leading and best known citizens of Bridgewater, where he has lived retired for the past ten years, has been a resident of Adair county for more than six decades and still holds title to eleven hundred acres of valuable land in Jackson and Washington townships. His birth occurred in Monroe county, Indiana, on the 11th of November, 1836. His parents, Henry S. and Sarah (Hunter) Sullivan, removed from Kentucky to Indiana at an early day and were among the first settlers of Monroe county, locating there when bears and panthers were still plentiful in the timber. There they spent the remainder of their lives and are buried on the old home farm. The father died when our subject was a child of less than three years and his mother's death occurred when he was but eleven. He was then placed in the home of Jehu Buckner, a neighboring farmer, with whom he remained about two and one-half years or until an older brother, John P. Sullivan, who was the guardian of the family, was married. In the latter's home he was taken, together with his brother, M. S., and there he grew to manhood. His education was acquired in the pioneer subscription schools and in the later public schools of his district. Only two of a family of twelve children still survive, namely: John P., who now resides in Logan, Kansas; and Jahu B., of this review. The former is a veteran of the Mexican war, serving throughout the entire period of hostilities. Two other brothers also enlisted, but peace was declared ere their commands reached the front.

In the summer of 1852, when not yet sixteen years of age, Jahu B. Sullivan became a wage earner, working in a brickyard at Bloomington, Indiana, while during the following summer he was employed by the month as a farm hand. In the fall of 1853, accompanied by two brothers, John P. and M. S., and a sister-in-law who was the widow of another brother, William H., he came by wagon to Iowa. The parents of his sister-in-law lived in Clarke county and there the party of immigrants stopped, Jahu B. Sullivan there spending the winter and the following summer.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Jav Sullivan, postmaster of Fontanelle, to which position he was appointed by President Wilson in 1914, is one of the native sons of Adair county, his birth living occurred here on the loth of May, 1856. He is a son of Titus H. and Christina (Lentz) Sullivan, both of whom were natives of Indiana. In the year 1855 they arrived in Iowa and in the spring of 1856 took up their above upon a tract of land in Adair county, which Mr. Sullivan entered from the government. It was in its primitive condition, being covered with the native prairie grasses, not a furrow having been turned nor an improvement made. The arduous task of developing a new farm confronted him and he built a log cabin covered with clapboard roof and with a clapboard door with the customary latchstring. There was also a stick chimney and other indications of frontier life. But hospitality reigned in that pioneer home and the latchstring always hung on the outside of the door.

Vol. n— 5

As the years passed Mr. Sullivan carefully improved his farm, breaking the prairie and then harrowing and planting the land, so that in time good crops were gathered. The father died in 1872 but the mother survives at the age of eighty-four years, and is yet enjoying good health.

Jay Sullivan is one of a family of eight children, five of whom yet survive. He remained at home until he attained his majority and through attendance at the public schools acquired a good education, completing the high-school course. He started out in the business world as a clerk in a store at Fontanelle and was thus employed for eight years, during which period he carefully saved his earnings until his industry and economy had brought him a sum sufficient to enable him to engage in business on his own account. He then established a grocery store, in which he continued for a number of years and subsequently he worked in a lumberyard for two years. At different times he has been called to public office, occupying several municipal offices, in which he has made an excellent record by reason of his capability and his loyalty. For seven years he filled the position of town marshal of Fontanelle and in 1917 was appointed to the office of postmaster by President Wilson, being the present incumbent in that position. He has likewise been officially connected With the schools, serving on the board at Fontanelle for several years. His influence in such matters is always on the side of progress and improvement and his labors have been effective and far-reaching. His appointment to his present position indicates his political preference, his support always having been given to the democratic party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise.

In 1882 Mr. Sullivan was united in marriage to Miss Emma Vest, a native of Indiana, and a daughter of John and Maria (Smith) Vest, in whose family were three children, all of whom survive. Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan have two children: Guv v.. who was graduated from the high school at Fontanelle and is now assistant postmaster; and Pearl J., who is the wife of F. C. Eaton, of this county. She, too, is a high-school graduate and for some years she successfully engaged in teaching school. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan are members of the Christian church, in the work of which they are helpfully and actively interested. Mr. Sullivan owns a residence in the village and their home partakes of the old-time pioneer hospitality. He is a representative of one of the old families of the county and has been a lifelong resident here, having for fifty-nine years been a witness of the growth of the county and the changes which have occurred, bringing it to its present prosperous condition.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

WILLIAM I. SULLIVAN.

William I. Sullivan is engaged in general farming in Summerset township and is making a specialty of the raising of hogs, which branch of his business is proving satisfactorily profitable. He was born in Washington township, Adair county, Iowa, April 13, 1860, a son of T. H. and Christina Sullivan, mention of whom is made in connection with the sketch of his brother, Jay Sullivan, on another page of this work. He remained at home until he attained his majority and then began farming on his own account by renting land for a number of years. During this period he carefully saved his earnings and thus became enabled to purchase a part of the old homestead, acquiring the ownership of eighty acres, which he has splendidly improved since that time. He cultivates his farm according to the most modern methods and has an excellent equipment for stock-raising, making a specialty of hogs. The stock which he raises is of high grade and brings gratifying prices when placed upon the market.

On September 9, 1883, Mr. Sullivan was united in marriage to Miss Ollie Odle, a native of Missouri and a daughter of James C. and Christianna (Tartar) Odle, both of whom were natives of Illinois. They went to Missouri at an early day and afterward the mother passed away in Kansas, but the father survives and now makes his home in Colorado. Mrs. Sullivan is one of a family of nine children, of whom six are yet living, and by her marriage she has become the mother of three children: Alta C, now the wife of O. E. Heacock of Waurika, Oklahoma; Crissie M., the wife of Warren Goodman of Greenfield, Iowa; and Velma W., the wife of A. E. Brown of this county.

The parents are members of the Christian church of Fontanelle, Iowa, and Mr. Sullivan holds membership in the Odd Fellows lodge at Fontanelle. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party, and although he does not seek nor desire office, he is interested in all that pertains to the public welfare. His has been an active career, crowned with a substantial measure of success. His entire life has been passed in Adair county and among his acquaintances — and they are many — he is held in the highest esteem.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOHN R. SULLIVAN.

John R. Sullivan, of Washington township, is well known as a breeder of registered Poland China hogs and is one of the well-to-do citizens of Adair county, owning four hundred acres of fine land. He is a native son of this county, his birth having occurred in a log cabin in Washington township, on the 29th of April, 1857, and he is a son of Elijali B. and Sarah B. (Julien) Sullivan, both of whom were born in Indiana. In 1851 the father came to Iowa with his brother, Titus Sullivan, and they remained for a short time in Clarke county, but in the fall of that year came to Adair county, where each entered a quarter section of land on section 16, Washington township, their farms adjoining. Each erected a log cabin and in the following spring brought his family to this county. Elijah B. Sullivan continued to reside upon his farm until his demise, which occurred on the-1th of January, 1907, after a continuous residence upon his farm of fifty-two years. He was successful financially and from time to time added to his holdings, acquiring in all six hundred and sixty acres of land in Washington township] He was a democrat and for many years was a factor in local political circles, holding various township offices and working loyally for the advancement of his iJi'ty- His wife died on the 16th of March, 1880.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

ISAAC N. SULLIVAN.

Isaac N. Sullivan, who owns and operates four hundred and fifty acres of fine land in Washington township but is residing in Bridgewater, is one of the native sons of the county. He was born in a log cabin in Washington township on the 31st of August, 1862, and is a son of Elijah B. and Sarah B. (Julien) Sullivan, mention of whom is made in the sketch of John R. Sullivan, a brother of our subject.

Isaac N. Sullivan was reared under parental roof and acquired his education through attendance at the district schools. In his early manhood he taught school for one term but in the spring of 1884 he went west, where he remained for ten years, residing during the greater part of that time in Wyoming. While there he engaged in various pursuits and made one trip to Texas, driving cattle from that state to shipping points. He also made one trip to Oregon and drove a bunch of horses from Oregon to Wyoming. In the fall of 1894 he returned to Adair county and in the following year began farming on land which had been allotted him by his father. Following his marriage in 1898 he located on what is known as the old Bart King farm, on section 10, Washington township, which was then owned by the father of our subject. In 1903 Mr. Sullivan of this review purchased his mother-in-law's farm on section 10 and in the spring of 1901 removed to that place, where he continued to live until 1910, when he took up his residence in Bridgewater, where he has since resided. He holds title to four hundred and fifty acres of excellent land and gives his personal attention to the operation of the greater part of his holdings. He is one of the most successful agriculturists of the township]) and receives a handsome annual income from his farm.

Mr. Sullivan was married on the 5th of May, 1898, to Miss Ida J. Witt, of Washington township, a daughter of Bailey Witt, one of the pioneers of that township, and a native of New York state. He removed to Iowa from Wisconsin. To Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan have been born four children, three of whom are still living, namely, Ila M., Don O. and Ruth Mildred.

Mr. Sullivan gives his political support to the republican party and works loyally for its success at the polls. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is not only identified with the agricultural development of his county but is also interested in the Adair County Mutual Telephone Company. He is one of the representative men of the county and commands the sincere respect of all who know him.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

P. P. SULLIVAN.

P. P. Sullivan, of Bridgewater, is a native of Adair county, as he was born November 30, 1868, on the old homestead on section 3i, Jackson township, on which his parents, Jahu B. and Margaret J. Sullivan, located on emigrating to Iowa from Indiana in the early '50s. They suffered the usual hardships and privations incident to frontier life, but amidst all their privations they never overlooked the religious and educational training of their children.

The subject of this review received his early education in the rural schools and at the age of eighteen years spent one winter in teaching a country school. However, he had visions of greater possibilities and as soon as his school closed in the spring he entered Drake University, at Des Moines, Iowa, enrolling in the commercial department of that institution on the 28th day of March. 1888. After com])letting his course therein he enrolled in the College of Liberal Arts and in June, 189i, he graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science. While in college he took a very active part in the various college organizations. He was a member of the Athenian Literary Society and was for two terms president and for one year treasurer of that organization. ' He served one year as president of his class, one year as president of the University Oratorical Association, and one year as vice president of the Iowa State Athletic Association. In 1901 he was elected a member of the university board of trustees and has been a member of that board continuously since.

In September after his graduation Mr. Sullivan became superintendent of the public schools of Menlo, Iowa, and remained in that position for two years, after which he discontinued school work for a year but in 1897 he took charge of the schools of his home town, Bridgewater, Iowa. In 1 899 he was elected superintendent of the public schools of Orient and served in that capacity for two years, after which he went to Fontanelle, where he remained for four years, and thence to Greenfield, where he continued for three years, resigning at the end of that time to take charge of the BridgeMater Savings Bank. He did much to promote the advancement of the school systems with which he was connected. At Orient and Fontanelle he added one year's work to the courses, at Fontanelle he secured the erection of a new primary building, and soon after his election as superintendent of the Greenfield schools he began a successful campaign for a new high-school building, securing a twenty-five thousand dollar building which was ready for use about the middle of his second year.

In 1908 Mr. Sullivan purchased the controlling interest in the Bridgewater Savings Bank of E. S. Harlan, of Atlantic, Iowa, and removed from Greenfield to Bridgewater to assume the management of the institution. The business of the bank grew steadily until it had more than trebled in volume and, the original quarters becoming inadequate, a two story brick building was erected on the site of the old frame one in 1914. The new building, which is an ornament to the town, is constructed of white enameled brick, has a beautiful interior and is well ajDpointed.

Mr. Sullivan has always supported the democratic party and has taken quite an active part in local politics. He was twice given 'the nomination for the office of county superintendent of schools and although in the minority party was defeated each time by a very small majority. Hs is a member of the Church of Christ, is much interested in all church work and has been a leader in the advancement of the Sunday-school movement in the county, having served continuously as president or in some other office in the county association since 1901. In 1909 he became a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Bridgewater and he has held the principal offices in that order. During the year 1913-1914 he was president of the Cumberland Branch Association, an organization numbering over six hundred members.

On the 11th of August, 1895, Mr. Sullivan was united in marriage to Miss Lute Jones, of Des Moines, Iowa, who was born near Keosauqua, Van Buren county, Iowa, September 6, 1869. the eldest child of Isaac and Eva Jones. Mr. Jones was one of the first to enlist in the war of the Rebellion, being a member of Company G, Third Iowa Cavalry, and served through the entire war, and his children received much of their history of that great conflict direct from an eyewitness who saw a great deal of hard fighting and who bears numerous cars from shot and shell. Miss Jones graduated from the Keosauqua high school in 1888 and after teaching one year entered the College of Liberal Arts of Drake University in September,

1889. She spent one year in college and then accepted the princiiJalship of the Keosauqua high school, in which capacity she served for two years. In September, 1892, her parents removed to Des Moines in order that their children might have the advantages of a higher education, and she reentered the university, from which she was graduated with the class of 1891 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. She took a very active part in the affairs incident to college life. She was a member of the Athenian Literary Society and held the various offices, including the presidency, of that organization and was also prominent in the work of the college Young Woman's Christian Association, serving much of the time as its president. After her graduation she was elected principal of the high school at Brooklyn, Iowa, but resigned that position in 1895 and was married to Mr. Sullivan at her home in Des Moines. She joined the P. E. O. order at Keosauqua and has been active in that society. She is a great reader and a careful student of current events and although she is not permitted to cast a ballot she is alive to political conditions, is for Woodrow Wilson first, last and all the time, and is ready to give the reason for her position on public issues. Since she has been a resident of Adair county she has been repeatedly solicited to accept the nomination for county superintendent of schools but has never done so.

To Mr. and Mrs. P. P. Sullivan have been born two sons and one daughter, as follows. Harold Eugene, who was born at Menlo, Iowa, September 29, 1896, was graduated from the Greenfield high school in 1914 and entered the freshman class in the College of Liberal Arts of Drake University in the following September. Lawrence Francis, who was born at Fontanelle, October 15, 1902, completed his grammar-school work at Bridgewater in May, 1915, and expects to enter high school in September. Margaret Evelyn, the youngest of the family, was born at Sunnyside Farm, January 30, 1911.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

OSCAR J. SULLIVAN.

Oscar J. Sullivan, a prosperous farmer and stock-raiser, residing on section 31, Jackson township, is well known throughout the county as a breeder of graded Percheron horses. He was born in the house which is still his residence on the 27th of February, 1879, a son of Jahu B. and Margaret J. (Roberts) Sullivan. At the usual age he entered the public schools and he and his brothers and sisters all went to school to James Pierson, one of the most widely known teachers of early days. Subsequently our subject attended the schools taught by his two brothers and two sisters and after completing his public-school course he entered Drake University and there continued his study. When twenty years of age he began teaching but after devoting his time to that profession during two winter terms he turned his attention to farming and stock-raising, in which he is still engaged. He owns two hundred acres of land but in addition to that operates two hundred and eighty acres of leased land, his labors returning to him a gratifying annual income. He specializes in breeding graded Percheron horses and is the owner of the Percheron stallion, Bengal Edgewood. He has at present twenty-eight graded horses upon the farm, all of which he has raised. In addition to his agricultural interests he owns stock in the Bridgewater Savings Bank and is a director of that institution.

In 1903 Mr. Sullivan married Miss Hannah J. Warrior, a daughter of Thomas Warrior, one of the well known citizens of Bridgewater, who is now living retired.

To Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan have been born three children, Euclid J., Richard R. and Thomas H.

Mr. Sullivan cases his ballot in support of the candidates and measures of the democratic party and is now serving as a member of the school board. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Christian church and contribute of their means to the support of its work. The success which he has attained is the natural result of his industry and progressiveness, and he is justly ranked among the enterprising farmers and stock-raisers of Adair county.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.