My Genealogy Hound

Cornelius Sullivan, who is known to his friends in Union county and they are many — as Neal Sullivan, resides on section 4, Sand Creek township, where he owns and cultivates a good farm. He is widely recognized as one of the practical and progressive agriculturists of this locality and while he is so conducting his business affairs that he obtains substantial benefits therefrom, he yet finds time and opportunities to further the public interests and is now serving as a member of the county board of supervisors. He is a typical product of the west and his life exemplifies the spirit of energy and determination which have been manifest in the upbuilding and development of this country. He was born in Henry county, Iowa, December 15, 1858, and is of Irish lineage.

His father, Jeremiah Sullivan, was a native of Ireland and in early life came to the United States, believing that he might enjoy superior business advantages in the new world. While in the state of New York he married Miss Margaret Callahan, also a native of Ireland. Removing westward, he cast in his lot with the early settlers of Henry county, Iowa, where he secured a tract of land and opened up a new farm, aiding in the meantime in all the labors incident to the development of a new district and sharing in the hardships and trials which come to those who establish homes on the frontier. He lived in Henry county, Iowa, until 1875, when he removed to Union county and purchased four hundred acres of land on section 4 and 5, Sand Creek township. This he at once began to cultivate and the evidence of his labors was seen in waving fields of grain and rich meadow land. He has continued to reside upon his farm to the present day and has now reached the venerable age of eighty-four years. His wife died in 1875, at the age of forty-seven years. They were the parents of four children, three sons and a daughter.

Neal Sullivan, the youngest of the sons, was but a boy when brought by his parents to Union county and was here reared upon the old homestead. He continued under the parental roof until he had attained his majority and the common schools of Iowa afforded him his educational privileges, while in the school of experience he has learned many valuable lessons. He was married April 29, 1885, to Miss Nancy Sullivan, a native of Iowa City, Johnson county, and a daughter of John Sullivan The young couple began their domestic life upon a farm which Mr. Sullivan rented for five years and their careful expenditure and well directed labor during that period brought them capital sufficient to justify their purchase of a farm. Mr. Sullivan invested in one hundred and twenty acres where he now lives on section 4, Sand Creek township and energetically began the development and improvement of this tract. He later bought forty acres additional, so that he now has one hundred and sixty acres. Here he has erected a good residence with all modern improvements and the farm is lacking in none of the accessories and conveniences of a model farm of the twentieth century. He has upon the place two good barns and other substantial outbuildings, so that grain and stock are sheltered from inclement weather. In his live-stock interests he makes a specialty of the raising of shorthorn cattle and feeds about two carloads each year. He also raises and feeds Poland China hogs and the sales of his stock materially increase his bank account each year.

Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan have but one child, Edward, who has been a student in the high school at Afton and in the high school at Arispe. He is now assisting his father in carrying on the home farm. The family are communicants of the Catholic church at Afton and Mr. Sullivan, while casting an independent local ballot supports the men and measures of the democracy where state and national issues are involved. He has been justice of the peace for a number of terms and township trustee for several years. In 1906 he was elected to the board of supervisors, on which he is now serving; is also treasurer of the school board and for several years was its president. Whatever tends to promote the interests of the community receives his endorsement and to a large extent his cooperation. His progressive spirit has been manifest not only in his individual affairs but in citizenship as well. He is widely known in this part of the state and the substantial qualities of reliability and progressiveness which he has always displayed have gained for him an enviable position in the regard and esteem of his fellowmen.