FRANKLIN COUNTY OHIO - BIO: SULLIVANT, Michael L. (published 1880)
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History of Franklin and Pickaway Counties,  Ohio
Pub by Williams Bros,  1880

Michael L. Sullivant,  second son of Lucas Sullivant and Sarah
Starling,  was born August 6,  1807,  in the village of Franklinton, 
and educated at the Ohio University,  and Center College,  Kentucky. 
Very early in life,  Michael manifested a very decided predilection for
rural affairs,  and after leaving college,  instead of studying a
profession he determined to marry,  and deliberately chose farming for
his life long vocation.  The fine body of land which he inherited in the
immediate vicinity of Columbus,  afforded an opportunity for him to
carry out his purpose on a then unusually large scale.

He engaged in farming at a time when there was but a limited price,  as
well as a limited demand and a circumscribed market for all kinds of
farming products,  and he at once saw that the only remunerative method
was to consume the corn,  hay and grass,  through the medium of stock.  
He consequently became a grazier and stock feeder,  "stall feeding"  as
it was termed,  many hundred fat cattle during the fall and winter
months.  This was,  however,  a laborious,  and often uncertain
business;  for cattle,  when ready for market,  must be driven over the
mountains to Baltimore,  Philadelphia,  or New York,  and the
fluctuations in price from the time of starting until the journey was
ended,  was often of  a most vexatious kind,  making all the difference
between a handsomer profit and an unhandsome loss.   These cattle had
generally been grazed in the "Barrens",  or Sandusky plains,  in Ohio, 
or even on the prairies of Indiana and Illinois,  where they were picked
up in lots by the enterprising feeders in Ohio,  principally located in
the Scioto valley.

Mr. Sullivant remained in his native state,  occupying his ample
inheritance,  until about the year 1854,  always showing himself
independent and progressive,  a man of large views,  and taking the lead
in many innovations upon fossilized ideas.  He was one of the
originators of the Ohio Stock Importing company,  and one of the
organizers of the Ohio State Board of Agriculture,  of which he was
twice the president.  He introduced new methods and machinery on his
farm here,  being the first to buy and put in operation a power
threshing machine in Franklin county;  also a reaper and a mower,  and
was always interested in everything that concerned agriculture.

Seeking a wider field of operations,  if not marked out by destiny to
inaugurate a stupendous experiment,  he disposed of his large estate in
Ohio,  and removing to Illinois,  where he had secured a vast domain at
government prices,  he gave his attention to establishing the great farm
of "Broadlands,"  which in connection with that of "Burr Oaks,  has
given him fame wherever there is an English speaking people

"One of the most striking traits in the character of Mr. Sullivant," 
says one who knew him well,  "was the tenacity of purpose with which he
pursued his scheme,  when once it was deliberately planned."

He was twice married,  and his domestic relations were always happy, 
for,  says the same friend,  he was good tempered,  and of a liberal and
generous disposition.  Mr.  Michael Sullivant died February 29,  1879, 
leaving a widow and several children.


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