Individual Details
(July 21, 1794 - December 6, 1870)
"Jeremiah Sullivan 1794-1870 --- Among The men who impressed themselves upon The morals of The people and the institutiions of the State of Indiana in early days was Jeremiah Sullivan. He had much to do with laying the foundations of the State Government and in giving character to its judiciary and well deserves a place in the list of Indiana's distinguished men. He was born in Rockingham County, Virginia, July 21, 1794, of Irish descent, was educated at William and Mary College, and was a Captain in The War of 1812. He started West on horseback in the company of a young friend, Dr. Robert Cravens, with the intentin of entering the practice of law in Louisville, Kentucky. However, upon arrival in Cincinnati, he learned of the need for an attorney in the rapidly growing town of Madison, and changing his plans, he arrived in Madison in The fall of 1817. Jeremiah Sullivan's public career was immediately successful. He was quickly appointed Prosecuting Attorney in Madison by Governor Jennings, and within three years of his arrival he was elected a member of the State Legislature from his County (1820). In the legislature, it was he who gave Indianapolis its name. He was a judge of the Supreme Court of Indiana from 1836 to 1846. In 1869 a criminal court was created for Jefferson County and he was appointed judge. In his early life, Sullivan was an active Freemason, and in January 1818, he helped to form The Grand Lodge of Indiana at a meeting held in the front room on the second floor of the Robinson-Schofield house on the corner diagonally across the street. Jeremiah's mother was a Methodist; his father a Catholic. He, himself, became a Presbyterian and in 1828 was ordained an elder in The First Presbyterian Church in Madison. He later went with the group that formed the Second Presbyterian Church and built the 1835 building now owned by Historic Madison, Inc. Sullivan made an unsuccessful race for Congress against Governor W. Hendricks, and legend has it that his defeat could be attributed to the complaint of his opponents that "he lived in too fine a house." Certain it is that his home was the recognized rendezvous for all men of national prominence when in this vicinity. On July 23, 1818, Jeremiah Sullivan married Charlotte R. Cutler who was born May 10, 1798. Their children who lived to maturity were Algernon S., Jeremiah, Jr., Thomas, Mary, Charlotte, and Margaret. Of these children, Algernon founded the law firm in New York City now known as Sullivan and Cromwell, today one of the largest and most important in the country. Thomas, also an attorney, became Mayor of Indianapolis in 1889. Jeremiah, Jr. was a Colonel of the 13th Indiana Volunteers and later Brigadier General. Thomas' grandson, Reginald H. Sullivan, now living in Indianapolis, has the rare distinction of having been twice Mayor of Indianapolis." (History of Indianapolis.)
Events
| Birth | July 21, 1794 | Harrisonburg, Rockingham County, Virginia | | | |
| Marriage | July 28, 1818 | Madison, Jefferson County, Indiana - Charlotte R. Cutler | | | |
| Death | December 6, 1870 | Madison, Jefferson County, Indiana | | | |
| Burial | | Springdale Cemetery, Madison, Jefferson County, Indiana | | | |
Families