(Taken from his obituary and family records and transcribed by Michael Bowen, MRB, #47351043)

Waverly Democrat, April 10, 1924 The funeral services for John Sullivan of Rockford, IL, formerly of Waverly, were held in St. Mary's Catholic church in this city on Thursday morning of last week, the funeral party coming in a special car over the Illinois Central. Requiem High Mass was sung by Rev. Florence Sullivan, son of the deceased, a Jesuit priest from Loyola University in New Orleans. Father Weineke of Cedar Falls was deacon; Father Edward Flynn of Mason City, nephew of the deceased, was sub deacon. Rev. Father Collins, pastor of the local church, acted as master of ceremonies and also delivered the sermon. Other priests in attendance were Rev. J. J. Hanley and Rev. E. J. Dougherty of Dubuque and Rev. Father Hogan of Greene. Rev. M. C. Sullivan, formerly of Waverly pastor and a brother of the deceased, was also her but took no part in the service. He is now vicar general of this arch diocese. Mr. Sullivan is survived by his wife, the following children; Misses Nellie and Mary at home, Sister Mary St. Clara, Mt. St. Joseph college, Dubuque, Rev. Forence D. Sullivan, S. J., Loyola University, New Orleans, John, Omaha, NE, Charles, Cleveland, OH, Dennis, Perry, IA, and Joseph, New Orleans. All were present at the funeral with the exception of Sister Mary St. Clara and Joseph. Four brothers, Vicar General M. C. Sullivan, Dubuque, Patrick of Cherokee, IA, F. D., Madison, WI, and C. J. of Marshfield, WI and three sisters, Mrs. Mary Holland, Floyd, IA, Mrs. Hanna Holland, Janesville, IA, and Mrs. Murray, Sheldon, IA. All these were here excepting Mrs. Mary Holland of Floyd. Three years ago, Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan observed their golden wedding anniversary. In the death of Mr. Sullivan his family suffers the loss of an ideal husband and father. His life merited the high esteem in which he was held by countless friends. He exerted a powerful example by his deep religious faith and kindness to all. The deceased was born in Ireland, February 2, 1848, and came to this country with his parents when a boy. He entered the railroad service, October 15, 1865, at Earlville, with Dubuque and Sioux City railroad. His efficiency and integrity won the respect of his employers and his advancement continued throughout his long years of service. After three years at Earlville he was made foreman at Floyd, where he remained three years and was transferred in the same capacity to Dubuque. The family resided here six years, then removing to LeMars, and a few years later, Mr. Sullivan was named road master, which promotion brought him back to Dubuque. He held this position at Cherokee, New Orleans, Clinton, IL and at Freeport where he was employed from 1902 until his retirement January 1, 1916. For the past few years family home has been in Rockford. Since leaving Waverly many years ago he and his wife and children frequently visited their relatives and old friends here, and they were always heartily welcomed. During the half century he was employed by the Illinois Central, he won hundreds of friends among his associates, many of who came from considerable distances to attend the funeral. Other relatives who came were Mrs. Patrick J. Sullivan and Mrs. John Hogan of Cherokee, Miss Alice Bowen and Mrs. Ed Taylor of Fort Dodge, the Misses Margaret and Florence Flynn of Cedar Falls, and Louis Flynn of Dubuque, Dennis and Ed Holland of Floyd, John Eckes and Will Connell of Nashua, Mrs. John T. Sullivan, Miss Katherine Connell and George H. Scully of Waterloo, Frank Cronin of Sibley, and John Connell of Raymond.

Some of the relavtives attending John Sullivan's funeral are descendents of Bridget O'Connell's siblings, Patrick O'Connell, David O'Connell and John O'Connell as follows: Mrs. Patrick Sullivan and her daughter, Mrs. John Hogan; Mrs. Patrick Sullivan is Bridget O'Connell, daughter of Patrick O'Connell. Also John Sullivan and Patrick Sullivan are brothers.

Alice Bowen and Mrs. Ed Taylor (Kathyrn Bowen) are the daughters of Nora O'Connell, daughter of Patrick O'Connell.

John Eckes is the husband of Ellen O'Connell, daughter of David O'Connell. Will Connell is the son of David O'Connell. Miss Katherine Connell is the daughter of David O'Connell. John Connell is the son of David O'Connell.

George Scully is the son of Bridget O'Connell and William Scully; Bridget Scully is the daughter of John O'Connell.

John Sullivan married Hanora Cronin at Waverly, Bremer, Iowa on October 7, 1871. Hanora (Nora) Cronin was the daughter of Bridget (O'Connell) and Owen Cronin. John J. Sullivan was the son of Timothy and Bridget (Crowley) Sullivan.

The 1900 US census shows John (Feb 1848, Ireland) and Nora (Jun 1852, Pennsylvania) Sullivan living in DeWitt County, Illinois. They are married 28 years and have 8 living children, five with them Nellie (Aug 1872), Dennis (Oct 1881), Mary (Jan 1887), Charles (Feb 1891) and Frances (Aug 1892).