Sacramento County Biographies

JAMES H. SULLIVAN

Transcribed by: Nancy Pratt Melton

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

      

SACRAMENTO TOWNSHIP.
Page 290-291.
 
	a contractor, of Sacramento; was born in Montreal, Canada, 
in 1830. In 1833 moved with parents to Monmouth county, New Jersey, and in 1835, 
to New York, he learned and worked at the cooper trade until 1849, when he came 
to California around the Horn, arriving September 14. Carried on coopering on 
Montgomery street, San Francisco, until 1850, burning out twice in that short 
time. In September started back to New York, on bark "Golinda," and was wrecked 
this side of Acapulco. Aided by Capt. Lane and Capt. Mace, who were also 
passengers, they saved the vessel after it was given up as lost by captain and 
crew, and made harbor without the loss of a life. After a few months' stay in 
Nicaragua where he was engaged in transfer of passengers and treasure, by that 
route, he gave up intention of going to the States, and returned to California 
and started again in business of coopering at Sacramento, which he carried on 
until 1857, when he abandoned it, to fill the office of City Treasurer. In 1858, 
he went to Victoria, B. C., but returned in a short time and carried on 
coopering as before, until appointed Deputy State Controller. In 1859, returned 
again to cooper business, and in 1862 lost nearly everything in the flood of 
that year. Then in company with John Rooney, built by contract all the levee to 
Sutterville, and afterwards changed the channel of American River near its 
mouth, so as to render it less dangerous to the city. In 1863 and 1864, was 
Superintendent of Pond mine at Aurora. In 1864, in company with John Rooney, 
contracted with the State, and completed a canal 30 feet wide on bottom, and 28 
miles long, across part of Solano and Yolo counties. In 1866 and 1867, served as 
Deputy Sheriff under James Lansing. In 1868, and 1869, in same office, under 
Sheriff White, and in 1870, and 1871, had charge of Sheriff's office under J. S. 
Woods. Since then has engaged in contracting and ranching. His ranch of 183 
acres is seven miles east of Sacramento, on the American river. Mr. Sullivan, 
married August 9, 1859, Emma Anderson, a native of Australia. There were born to 
them seven children, of which one son and four daughters, are now living. 

Source: History of Sacramento County, California With Illustrations 1880 by 
Thompson & West.