Multnomah County OR Archives Biographies.....Sullivan, F. A. 1878 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Ila L. Wakley iwakley@msn.com May 16, 2009, 11:18 am

Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company

     F. A. SULLIVAN had the advantage of an early start in the lumber 
business, which has constituted his life work, and his enterprising spirit and 
well developed powers have made him a commanding figure in industrial circles 
of Portland. He was born in Preston, Minnesota, in 1878 and owes his keen 
mentality and strong physique to his Celtic ancestors. His parents were 
Florence and Katherine (Moran) Sullivan the latter of whom resided in Galena, 
Illinois, and was a neighbor of General U. S. Grant. The paternal grandfather, 
John Sullivan, was a native of Ireland and when a youth of sixteen came to 
America in company with his six brothers. John. Sullivan took up government 
land in Wisconsin and aided in bringing to light the rich agricultural 
resources of that region. His son, Florence Sullivan, followed the trade of a 
blacksmith and cast in his lot with the early settlers of Minnesota. In 1905 
he came to Oregon, establishing his home in Portland, where he lived retired 
until his demise, and his widow is still a resident of the city.

     In the acquirement of an education F. A. Sullivan attended the public 
schools of Wisconsin and began his commercial career in 1898 with the Standard 
Lumber Company of Dubuque, Iowa. From 1902 until 1911 he was connected with 
the Portland Lumber Company and rose to the position of assistant manager. 
Meanwhile he was a student at the University of Oregon, from which he was 
graduated in 1906 with the degree of LL. B., but did not engage in the 
practice of law, finding commercial pursuits more congenial. In 1912 he 
ventured in business for himself, forming the Sullivan Lumber Company, which 
was incorporated in 1913. At that time F. A. Sullivan assumed the duties of 
president and treasurer, which he is still discharging, and since 1918 R. A. 
Sullivan has filled the office of secretary. The company operated its own 
mills until 1927 and now has contracts with other mills. The business is 
conducted on a wholesale basis and the trade relations of the corporation now 
extend to many parts of the United States. The firm sells chiefly to railroads 
and industrials and deals in all grades of western lumber, featuring the 
specialties required by the trade. Only high grade products are handled by the 
company, which has every facility necessary for the maintenance of first-class 
service, and the steady growth of the business is indicative of the ability 
and standing of the men who control it.

     On September 15, 1907, F. A. Sullivan was married in Portland to Miss 
Opthelia Dresser, a daughter of Fred Dresser, a pioneer grocer of the city. To 
this union were born seven children: Ronald, who is attending the University 
of Notre Dame; and Helen, Ruth, Louise, Margaret, Carmel and Loretta, all of 
whom are at home. Mr. Sullivan casts his ballot for the candidates of the 
republican party and is a faithful communicant of the Roman Catholic church. 
He belongs to the local council of the Knights of Columbus and is also a 
member of the Multnomah Athletic Club. In matters of citizenship he is loyal 
and public-spirited, and his career teaches the world the ever valuable lesson 
that true success comes only through tireless effort, guided and inspired by 
singleness of purpose and high standards.

Additional Comments:
History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. II, 
Pages 698-699

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