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Below is a family biography included in The History of Lawrence County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1888.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Henry Sullivan, son of John and Catherine (Sullivan) Sullivan, was born March 13, 1819, in Lincoln County, Tenn. His father, John Sullivan, was born in Davidson County, Tenn., and after his marriage moved to Lincoln County, of the same State. His wife was also a native of Davidson County, Tenn., and there lived until her marriage with Mr. Sullivan. The paternal grandparents of Henry Sullivan were natives of North Carolina, and were among the first settlers of Tennessee. The maternal grandparents were both natives of Virginia, but did not move to Tennessee quite as early as his paternal grandparents. John Sullivan, father of Henry, by his marriage became the father of twelve children, only two now living: Henry and James. Those deceased are Thompson, Matilda, Sallie, Nancy, Bettie, Emaline, Polly A., John, David and William. Mr. Sullivan and family moved to Missouri in 1852, and settled in Lawrence County, on Spring River, where he purchased school fund land. He remained there for about five years, and then moved to Christian County, where he purchased a farm and where he lived until his death, which occurred in 1867. His wife had died in 1862, and he then married Miss Jane Garroch. Henry Sullivan was married January 30, 1839, to Lula ____, and by her became the father of twelve children, eight now living: Mary, Martha, George C., Josie, James W., Nancy A., Alexander W. and Catherine; Richard, Margaret and Eliza are deceased. Mr. Sullivan lost his first wife in 1866, and he took for his second wife, August 25, 1871, Miss Margaret Boyer, who bore him these children: Ida, Ada, Etta, Walter, Edie (deceased) and Henry (deceased). Mr. Sullivan came to Missouri in 1851, and settled in Lawrence County, where he remained two years. He then moved to Greene County, but after farming there for three years he sold out and removed to Lawrence County, where he is now living. During the war he was in the Home Guards, but was disbanded after the Wilson’s Creek battle. He then went to Rolla and enlisted in Company F, Twenty-fourth Missouri, and served as second lieutenant. He participated in a number of important engagements, and when his company was reorganized he was made captain of the Forty-sixth Missouri. He was captured between Rolla and Springfield, and, after being imprisoned for three days at the latter place, was exchanged and he re-entered the service. He was discharged at Rolla on account of disability, and was sent home. He was enrolling officer in Christian County for two years, and served the people of that county as sheriff for four years. While in service his hardest fight was with bushwhackers, with whom he fought hand to hand. After retiring from the office of sheriff, Mr. Sullivan refused to accept any official position, and returned to farming and stock raising. He has 236 acres of land in this county, 200 of which are under cultivation. He also has forty acres in Christian County. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the G. A. R., and he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church.

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This family biography is one of 272 biographies included in The History of Lawrence County, Missouri published in 1888.  For the complete description, click here: Lawrence County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Lawrence County, Missouri family biographies, click here

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