Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 424 - 425

JOHN SULLARD. As an enterprising and wide-awake business man of Wichita, and one who, through his own efforts, has established himself among the prominent and wealthy men of the city, we take pleasure in giving a brief biography of the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this sketch. He is a general tradesman, and lives on the corner of Mosely and Second streets. He is a native of New Jersey, born in 1855, being a son of John and Margaret (Winnans) Sullard, both natives of New Jersey. His father was a harness-maker by trade, who spent his early life in his native State. When the Rhode Island Company sought to establish a colony in Tazewell County, he joined them, and moved with his family to that State. He thus became a pioneer of that county, and laid out the town of Delavan. He died in Champaign County, Ill. To him and his wife were born six children, four of whom are now living, namely: Mary, Mrs. Karoher; John, Charles, and Hannah, Mrs. Bottjer.

        The subject of this sketch has always been a shrewd financier, ready to seize any opportunity for making a penny, commencing when a young lad to earn his own spending money by selling papers on the New Jersey Central Railway, being thus engaged for three years. He was of an adventurous spirit, alert and fearless; he became an expert in the use of the rifle, and early won a reputation as a bold hunter. After spending a few years in Illinois, his desire for a new field of action determined him to join the throng of pioneers of the unsettled West. Accordingly, in 1870, he came to Wichita and soon after obtained employment as a hunter, receiving the sum of $65 a month. He continued in that occupation two years, traveling through the Indian Territory and Arkansas in his successful pursuit of the buffalo. In 1876 he killed a buffalo within eight miles of the city limits of Wichita, it being the last one killed in the county. He was afterward employed for awhile in the free and exciting life of a cowboy, driving cattle on the route from San Antonio, Tex., to Abilene, Kan., meeting during that time with many adventures and hairbreadth escapes. In 1873 he engaged in the liquor traffic in Wichita, opening the first store of that kind in the city, east of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad, and continuing in that trade until 1886. At that time he gave up his liquor saloon and established himself in the drug business at No. 706 East Douglas avenue, where he has since been engaged. He also deals largely in real estate, and has amassed a competency. He has always taken an active interest in the advancement of the city, and has aided all beneficial enterprises, and is the owner of much city property.

        Mr. Sullard was married, Oct. 26, 1876, to Abicenia Johnston, a native of Clinton County, Mo., theirs being the first marriage certificate written by Fred Schattner, the present City Clerk. Her parents are James and Mary J. (Rose) Johnston. Mr. Johnston is extensively engaged in stock-raising. He and his wife have three children, namely: Margaret, Mrs. Christler; Abicenia, Mrs. Sullard, and James.

        Mr. Sullard and his bride were among the first settlers of Illinois Township, and put in the first claim house. It was a dugout, and Mr. Sullard purchased the lumber from the old variety theatre to cover the roof. For two years after settlement they lived very happily, and comfortably in that abode, having for company David Jenen, the teacher of the first school ever taught in the township, who boarded with them during the school session.

        Our subject and his wife have two children living - James G. and Harry H. Mr. Sullard is a member of the Kansas Freemen, and politically he is a strong Republican and anti-Prohibitionist, having been at the polls at every election since the organization of the county.

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