Sullivan, William 1827-1902

SULLIVAN, HENRY

Posted By: Heidi Girton (email)
Date: 4/26/2005 at 22:07:52

May 3, 1902:
DEATH OF WILLIAM SULLIVAN
An Old and Respected Citizen Passes Peacefully Away

Last Tuesday morning at 10:30 occurred the death of Wm. Sullivan at his home, surrounded by many of his old time friends. He had been indisposed the greater part of the winter, but when the weather began to warm up this spring he began to improve in health, and on pleasant days was out enjoying the sunshine.

Last Wednesday afternoon he was in an exceptionally cheerful mood, returned to his home in the evening and at the supper table was suddenly attacked by a stroke of apoplexy, from the result of which he died as above stated.

He was born in St. Louis, Mo., May 2, 1827, where he lived till twelve years of age. His father died when William was a mere child, his mother again married and the family moved to Mineral Point, Wis., where they lived during the Black Hawk war. The family afterward moved to Dubuque and from there to Illinois.

Mr. Sullivan left home when about fifteen years of age and brushed up against the world. He first went to New Orleans as a cook on a flat boat, and followed the river till the breaking out of the Mexican war. He then enlisted in the service of the United States and participated in the battle of Buena Vista and several other important engagements.

After the close of the war he returned to Alton, Ills., where he married Miss Catherine Henry.

They moved to Guttenberg July 27, 1848, and Mr Sullivan has been closely identified with the business interests of the town from that time until about four years age when he retired from active business life.

His only known relatives living ar a daughter living in Minneapolis, Minn. and a grand-daughter, Flossie Sullivan, living at Sioux Falls, SD.

He was unquestionably the best known man in Guttenberg. A little humerous incident occurred many years age that has been repeatedly told wherever Mr. Sullivan is known. A steamboat landed at the wharf here one day and an old citizen who has long since passed away, stood on the bank leasurely smoking his pipe, watching the darkies run out the lines, tie up the boat and unload freight. A neat genteel looking man walked down the gang plank approached our old German friend and enquired how many inhabitants the town had. The old gentleman not understanding the English language very well replied: "Two, one is an Irishman and one a negro".

Mr. Sullivan was a member of the first city council of Guttenberg, the election being held April 12, 1851. With one exception the entire list of officers at that time are dead. He was the first member taken into Prairie-la-Port Lodge No. 117 A.F.& A.M., receiving his third degree Nov. 19, 1859 when the lodge was working under dispensation, and has been a very enthusiastic member ever since.

His body is now lying in state in the Masonic Hall from which place the funeral will be held Friday afternoon at 3 o'clock.

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Added by Joy Moore 1/8/2020:

Source: Decorah Republican Apr. 10, 1902 Page 2 Col 1

—William Sullivan, a pioneer who had lived at Guttenberg since 1847, died on the 1st, aged 75 years.