Joseph Sullivan 1824-1908
Pick and Gad, Shullsburg, WI
April 30, 1908
Joseph Sullivan, the subject of this sketch, was born at Shawneetown, Wayne County, Illinois, January 21, 1824, and died at his home in the town of Seymour Tuesday, April 21, 1908. The funeral took place Thursday forenoon with Requiem mass and funeral services by Rev. Father Morris at St. Matthew's church, and the remains were laid to rest in the cemetery adjoining the church.
Deceased was one of the early pioneers of the Lead Mines. He came with his parents to Wisconsin in 1828, the family locating at Dublin, as the first settlement at Shullsburg was then called, and which consisted of only a few scattered cabins on the north side of the ridge, north of the branch. Here the family remained until 1831, when they moved to what is called the Drybone, where they were living when the Blackhawk war began in 1832. The Sullivan family and others were forced to seek the protection of the Fort at Galena, returning to Shullsburg when the Fort there had been completed. In 1834 Mr. Sullivan's parents moved to what is now Seymour, and they were the first settlers and built the first house in the township.
On February 4, 1851, he was married at Shullsburg to Miss Anna Morgan, who with four children, Joseph O., Thomas J., Mrs. John L. O'Brien and Mrs. M. A. O'Brien survive him, all of whom reside in Seymour and were with him during his illness, which was a brief duration, although he had been in poor health for nearly two years. The deceased had a pleasant kind disposition, which saw only the bright side of things, and always made the most of any situation. He possessed a strong rugged constitution, which with an exemplary life and good habits prolonged his years far beyond the allotted time for man.
Mr. Sullivan was a carpenter by trade and at times engaged in mining, but most of his life was spent on the farm in the comfortable home which his labor and industry had created; and where in the midst of pleasant environments he delighted to meet and greet his friends. He was devoted to his wife and family with a devotion for which no sacrifice was too great, and was loved and honored by them in return.
Reared and amid the hardships of pioneer life, he knew and appreciated its vicissitudes, and was always ready to encourage and assist others. He liked to talk of early times and cherished his early friendships with which differences of opinion never for a moment interfered, steadfast in his own faith and views he always conceded the same right to others. He was held in the highest esteem by his neighbors and the community and retained their respect and regard without a single exception to the last.
Mr. Sullivan was treasurer of Elk Grove when Seymour was part of that township, and in 1874 and 1875 and again in 1879 and 1880 was Chairman of the Town Board of Seymour.
He was a lifelong member of the Catholic church and died fortified by the full rites of that faith. By his death the community has lost one of its best citizens, one who in every capacity met every requirement of a man. Scrupulously honest in all things, he was a man of the strictest integrity and held every debt or trust as a sacred obligation. Thus has passed away another old settler, a true Christian, a good man, honored and respected in life. May he rest in peace.
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~Submitter: Rose