Dubuque-Jackson County IA Archives Obituaries.....Sullivan, John D. April 3, 1865
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Ken Wright wright@prestontel.com December 4, 2010, 4:04 am

Dubuque Herald, April 4, 1865
Dubuque Herald, April 4, 1865

SUDDEN DEATH OF ANOTHER OLD CITIZEN
Accidental shooting of John D. Sullivan

Again we are called upon to announce the sudden death of another of Dubuque’s 
oldest and most respected citizens. It was but a few days since that our 
community was startled by the sudden demise of James L. Langworthy and now the 
same melancholy announcement is made of the unexpected death of Mr. John D. 
Sullivan. Truly the words of the Gospel, “That in the midst of life we are in 
death,” are being verified in our midst, and soon our oldest citizens will 
live only in the remembrance of friends and relatives left to mourn their loss.

The circumstances attendant on Mr. Sullivan’s death are as melancholy in the 
extreme and well calculated to elicit our deepest sympathies in behalf of 
himself and his bereaved family. On Saturday last in accompany with Mr. Edward 
Smith, a relative, we believe, he started on a business tour for Ozark, 
Jackson County. Supposing he might have an opportunity of shooting some game 
on the way, he carried with him his double barreled shot gun. Arrived at their 
destination, and after having enjoyed themselves for some time in shooting, 
the party ate a hearty dinner preparatory to starting homeward. After dinner 
Mr. Smith proceeded to the stable to harness the horses, while Mr. Sullivan 
went to the wagon, which was standing some yards from the stable, for the 
purpose of rendering it more comfortable for the ride. He had placed the gun 
on the bottom of the wagon, and it is supposed while in the act of driving a 
nail or removing the gun, the hammer accidentally caught in a splinter and 
discharged its entire contents into his right breast.

Mr. Smith heard the discharge while harnessing the horses, but supposed that 
he had shot a bird, while a Mr. Brown, who also was in company, started for 
the wagon, where he found Mr. Sullivan lying in front and between the wheels. 
At first Mr. Brown did not observe that he was shot, and jocosely that he was 
taking it easy, but in a moment after discovered his mistake and ran to give 
the alarm to Smith. Mr. Smith then hastened to the spot and found him lying as 
above described. He caught him up and endeavored to stop the flow of blood and 
called upon him to answer or recognize him by word or sign, but all in vain. 
Although he was breathing when taken up, in less than twenty-five minutes he 
was a corpse.

Word was given to the neighbors and in the course of an hour or so a number of 
them had collected, a Justice of the Peace and jury summoned and an inquest 
held. This over, the corpse was placed in another wagon, and accompanied by 
several of the neighbors was brought home to his afflicted and disconsolate 
family.

Mr. Sullivan was a native of Ireland and in his fifty-first year. He came from 
Troy, New York, in company with his mother and several brothers and sisters 
and settled in Dubuque, in 1838. He was one of the most competent and 
energetic master bricklayers and plasterers Dubuque ever had. In 1850 he built 
the Court House and the following year the Julien House (then the Waples 
House), the Peosta House (then called Democratic Row), and from that time up 
to 1849 was concerned in the erection of the most prominent buildings which 
now adorn Dubuque. He was an exceedingly industrious and energetic man; and 
notwithstanding he had accumulated a handsome competence, his untiring energy 
would not permit him to retire from business until about six years ago. Since 
that time he has not been actively engaged in business. In his habits he was a 
model man; he was not given to excess of any kind; drinking and gambling 
saloons were strangers to him, and to all his business transactions he was 
prompt, honest and true. He never aspired to office and took but little 
interest in politics and politicians. He was an excellent husband and parent; 
he provided liberally for all the wants of his family, and was ever solicitous 
for and attentive to the education of his children. He leaves a wife and five 
children to mourn his loss and a host of sorrowing friends, who will cherish 
his memory to the last. May he rest in peace, and his afflicted family receive 
those consolations which an All-wise and Over-ruling Providence never fails to 
bestow. 


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