JOHN EDWARD SULLIVAN.
For fifty-five years John Edward Sullivan has resided in Atchison county, Kansas, and can be readily classed with the old-timers of the county. His parents came from Iowa to Kansas when he was but one year old, and his father, with the assistance of his sons, Roger P. and John Edward, was enabled to rise from poverty to become the owner of half a section of land in Grasshopper township. The account of this family is similar to that of several other prosperous Irish families in Atchison county.
John E. Sullivan was born May 15, 1859, in Keokuk, Iowa, a son of Michael and Bridget (Tobin) Sullivan, both of whom were born in Ireland. Michael Sullivan was born in 1826 in Ireland, and lived in his native land until he was twelve years of age, and then made his way, alone and unaided, to America. His travels for seeking fortune in the new country took him ever onward, and he was married in Keokuk, Iowa, to Bridget Tobin, who was his faithful helpmeet when he was rising from poverty to affluence. Mr. Sullivan came to Atchison, Kan., in 1860, and for some time was engaged in the railroad contract work, and assisted in the grading of the Central Branch railroad. With the money saved in his railroad contract work he became the owner of a home in Atchison, which he exchanged for eighty acres of land in Grasshopper township, upon which he settled and soon developed into a fine farm. Mr. Sullivan, in the course of a few years, was enabled to buy an additional quarter section, and with the help of his sturdy sons, he increased his holdings to 320 acres of well improved farm land. When old age crept upon Michael Sullivan and his wife they turned the farm over to their two sons, who cared for them in their declining years, which were spent in peace and comfort. Mr. Sullivan died at the home of his son, John Edward, December 24, 1904. He was the father of three children: John Edward, the subject of this review; Roger Patrick, a prosperous farmer of Benton township, Atchison county, and Mary, deceased.
John Edward Sullivan attended the public schools of Atchison until he was fourteen years of age, and after his parents removed to the farm in Grasshopper township he remained at home and assisted his father on the home farm until he was thirty years old. He then purchased his present farm of 160 acres, made improvements upon it, and has brought the land up to a high state of cultivation. Mr. Sullivan has his farm stocked with well graded horses and cattle, and has frequently exhibited his fine draft colts and mules at the county fairs, held at Effingham, Kan.
Mr. Sullivan was married in 1890 to Anna Small, and to this union were born eight children, namely: Mary E., deceased: Anna, John, Lauretta, Leo, and Lucy, all at home with their parents; Grace, deceased; one child died in infancy. Mrs. Sullivan was born October 29, 1864, in Ireland, a daughter of Patrick and Elizabeth (McVay) Small, who immigrated to America, settling in Pennsylvania, and came to Atchison, Kan., in 1879; they were engaged in farming for some years, and are now living at Effingham, Kan. Mrs. Sullivan died November 23, 1906. She was a well educated woman, being an accomplished musician and a teacher of music. Mr. Sullivan is a stockholder and director of the Farmers State Bank of Muscotah. He is not allied with any political parties, and casts his vote independently at election time for the candidates of his choice, who seem best fitted to perform the duties of the office sought. He is a member of the Catholic church, and is fraternally allied with the Knights of Columbus of Atchison.