Oliver Sullivan is successfully engaged in business as a grain dealer at Rex, and his prosperity has come as the reward of his own efforts. His life has been well spent and his honorable and useful career is worthy of emulation. His course has been guided by that practical common sense which never runs to extremes, and this, supplemented by his unflagging industry, has won him a place among the substantial citizens of Miami county.

Mr. Sullivan was born in the neighboring county of Montgomery, his birth having occurred at Taylorsville, seven miles north of Dayton, on the 5th of September, 1845. His father, Samuel Sullivan, was one of the early settlers of that locality, having located there in 1833. In 1858 he removed with his family to Bethel township, Miami county, taking up his residence upon a farm, when Oliver Sullivan was about thirteen years of age. He spent his boyhood days under the parental roof, in fact, remained with his father until thirty-one years of age, and was actively associated with him in the management and operation of the farm. Subsequently he formed a partnership with his father and began the manufacture of linseed oil and flour in Tippecanoe City, the business relationship being maintained for ten years. The son gave to the business his personal attention and on the expiration of that period he built an elevator at Tadmor Station, near his father's home, the latter joining him in that business. Subsequently, however, Mr. Sullivan, of this review, entered the regular mail service, with which he was connected for seven years, running between Indianapolis and Pittsburg. He then spent twelve years in the railroad service as an employee of the Rock Island and Northwestern Companies, running out of Chicago. In September, 1897, however, he severed his relations with that business, and in 1898 he purchased his present elevator at Rex. Here he handles all kinds of grain and has built up a good business, which has not only brought to him prosperity but has proved of material benefit to the community by furnishing a market for the farmers who sell to him their grain. He has equipped the elevator with new machinery of modern construction, including a twenty-horse-power engine. He has an excellent corn sheller and is supplied with all the appliances known to the modern grain merchant who carries on business along progressive lines.

On the 26th of March, 1868, Mr. Sullivan was married, in Dayton, Ohio, to Miss Alma A. Smith, a daughter of John Smith, a teacher of this city. Mrs. Sullivan also engaged in teaching and is lady of marked culture and literary ability. Their union was blessed with two children: Grace M. is now the wife of W. T. Sherman and resides with her parents. She has one child, Howard Cook Sherman. Fanny, the younger daughter, is still at home and in Bethel and Troy high schools has acquired a liberal education. Mr. Sullivan well deserves mention among the prominent business men of Miami county and should find a place in the history of those whose enterprise has contributed to the welfare and progress of the community. His force of character, sterling integrity and ability to control circumstances have won to him a well-merited prosperity.