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

Joseph Sullivant,  the youngest and only surviving son of Lucas
Sullivant and Sarah Starling,  was born in Franklinton,   in 1809.  In
his early years he was distinguished by an ardent love of books,  and
like most boys having this passion,  devoured everything which came in
his way.  Having a retentive memory,  he mastered the ordinary school
tasks of his time with little difficulty,  and after attending the first
two classical schools which his father was active in establishing in
Columbus,   he was sent to the boys boarding school in Worthington, 
under the management of Rev.  Philander Chase,  bishop of Ohio.  From
this school he carried away,  and retained in later life,  added,  it is
believed,  to steady progress in book lore,  a keen appreciation of the
motherly kindness of "that most estimable woman",  the wife of the
bishop.  From Worthington,  he was transferred to Ohio University,  and
from thence,  about a year after his fathers death,  in 1823,  and at
the early age of fifteen,  he entered Center College,  Danville, 
Kentucky,  where his course of study was completed.  Having,  as he says
of himself,  at an early age imbibed a taste for,  and an interest in
the natural sciences from his father,  who was a "dear lover of nature" 
he devoted himself to their study,  and before the age of twenty-one, 
was appointed by the legislature,  one of the corporators of the
Philosophical and Historical Society of Ohio,  and was corresponding
secretary and curator thereof for several years.

The limits of our article do not permit the indulgence of our wish in
the free use of the abundant material for an extended biographical
sketch of Mr. Sullivant;  suffice it to say,  that he has been for the
last forty years one of the leading spirits in all of the scientific and
literary enterprises which have given the city of Columbus its present
enviable standing among the centers of intelligence and culture in the
west.

For many years he devoted much time and attention to the public schools
of the city,  being first a member,  and for several years president of
the board of education.  Since his final retirement from that position, 
as a token of the esteem and regard of the large body of teachers
connected with the schools,  a bust of Mr. Sullivant has been placed in
the hall of the beautiful high school building,  and later,  his old
colleagues have erected the largest and finest ward school building in
the city,  and in recognition of his long,  gratuitous and efficient
services,  have named it Sullivant School,  an acknowledgment and at the
same time,  a monument,  of which anyone might justly feel proud.

Many years ago elected a member of the American Scientific Association, 
a member and treasurer of the Ohio State Board of Agriculture;  a
trustee of Starling Medical College;  and serving a second term as
trustee and secretary of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of
Ohio;  a member of the executive committee,  giving valuable service in
the late re-organization of that institution under its present charter
as the Ohio State University,  he has held various positions of honor
and trust,  some involving much time and labor,  but none of emolument.

Nor have the labors of Mr. Sullivant been confined to merely scientific
and literary enterprises,  a pamphlet prepared by him on "A Water Supply
for the City of Columbus,"  being greatly influential in arousing
attention to this important matter.  He was also the projector of
Greenlawn Cemetery,  selected its site,  was a member of its first board
of trustees,  and for several years,  president of the corporation.

With all these evidences of the high estimation of the community in
which his life has been spent,  no honor is so dear to him (according to
his own affectionate confession) as the remembrance of the community of
tastes and pursuits which rendered especially close the chain linking
him with his distinguished brother,  whose fame will increase in
proportion as knowledge and culture are increased.

Mr. Sullivant has been thrice married,  and has a family of several
children


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