My Genealogy Hound

AUGUSTUS COLBERN SULLIVAN has made his home in Johnson County for the past thirty-five years, and when he first came here there were very few people indeed within its boundaries, and his nearest neighbor was G. W. Houts. He bought eighty acres of land from his wife’s brother, John Kenton, and since that time has added to his original farm until he now owns one hundred and seventy-nine acres in one body. The homestead, which is well improved with good buildings, is located on section 15, township 45, range 26.

A native of Saline County, Mr. Sullivan was born near Miami, on the Missouri River, May 17, 1835, his parents being Samuel W. and Mary A. (Mayfield) Sullivan, natives of Pennsylvania and Kentucky, respectively. The father moved from his native state to Rockingham County, Va., and from there to Saline County, Mo., about 1821, making the entire trip from the Old Dominion in wagons. His first wife was Miss Kittie Carter, and her death occurred in Virginia. His second wife died in 1866, aged about sixty-two years, while his own death occurred in 1860, when he was in his eighty-sixth year. He was a hero of the War of 1812. He had learned the trade of forgeman, and after coming to this state frequently made trips to the mines in southeastern Missouri, where he found work for a time. Not long before the Sullivan family arrived here Indians were very troublesome, and there was still a scattered remnant here for a few years. Samuel Sullivan became a well-to-do farmer, and was respected by all. He gave liberally to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, to which his wife belonged, and in his political convictions was a Whig.

By the first marriage of Samuel W. Sullivan, one child was born, but it died in infancy. By his second union he became the father of six sons and five daughters, all of whom lived to maturity. They were as follows: Samuel W., who operates the old homestead in Saline County; Henry M., a farmer of this neighborhood; Augustus C.; Mary A., who is the wife of William Hyland, a farmer of Saline County; Harriet, Mrs. Francis F. Haudsley, of Carroll County; Tempest T., who died in 1867, in Saline County; James, who died in 1872, in Kansas; Charles, who departed this life in California in 1866; Hester A., who became the wife of Henry Craig, and died in Saline County, Mo., in 1840; Hannah, Mrs. William C. Gwinn, who died in 1868; and Milfred, deceased, formerly the wife of James Millsaps.

August 11, 1862, A. C. Sullivan joined Company A, Seventh Missouri Cavalry, under Capt. Joseph Peak. He took part in many battles along the Missouri River, and often encountered Price and the numerous bands of guerrillas. He was in a very dangerous part of the service, but was never wounded or taken prisoner. He was promoted to the rank of Corporal and later to that of Sergeant, continuing to be a member of the Seventh Regiment until finally mustered out at St. Louis, August 10, 1865.

The boyhood and youth of Mr. Sullivan passed quietly in his native county, and there he was married October 15, 1854, the lady of his choice being Margaret J., daughter of Thomas Kenton and a descendant of the old pioneer, Simon Kenton. Our subject was only nineteen years of age, and his wife celebrated the sixteenth anniversary of her birth by their marriage. She was also a native of Saline County, her birth having occurred on the site of the Mormon War. The young couple started out in life with high hopes and ambitions, many of which they have realized by their untiring zeal and energy. Six years after their wedding they moved to this county, having purchased a farm here two years previously.

Of the children who came to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan, all but one survive. They are as follows: Theodore, an enterprising farmer of this district; Lewis, who is living at home; Elizabeth, widow of Rufus Hayes; Fred Lincoln, of Cornelia, this county; Charles B., who is farming just west of his father’s homestead; Joseph, Faith, Missouri E. and Jacob, who are at home; and William, who died in 1870, aged a year and a-half.

For the past eleven years Mr. Sullivan has served as Road Overseer, and for a like period of time has been School Director. He and his five brothers were Democrats until the war, when three of the number espoused the cause of the Republican party, while the others declared themselves in sympathy with the South; but our subject was the only one of the brothers to enter the army. Mrs. Sullivan is a member of the Methodist Church, belonging to the congregation that meets at Houts’ Chapel.