SULLIVAN, DAVID B. FAMILY

by Donalee (Sullivan) Barner

Entry F410 from the History of Hooker County Nebraska
with permission of the Hooker County Historical Society

David B. and Ann Sullivan.

David B. Sullivan Family. Back Row: Theresa, Jerry, Don, Bob,
Mary and Laura. Front: Rosalie, Ann, Eleanor.

David Brandon Sullivan was born August
20, 1888 to David Connor O'Sullivan and his
wife Katie McDonnell O'Sullivan at Bartley,
Nebraska. In 1901, at the age of 13, he moved
with his parents and 4 brothers to their
homestead in South Cherry County. He
attended country school and a year or two of
high school in Mullen, but had to quit to help
out at home.

In 1917, David served in World War I. He
was wounded in France and came home in
1919. At this time, his brother Denny and
family were back for a visit. Their housekeep-
er and babysitter, Ann McDonald was with
them. Grandma remembered David asking
her to go for a ride with him. While out,
something happened with the car and they
were forced to spend the night at the Prentice
house. She said the family teased her a lot
about it and she'd get embarrassed all over
again telling about it. They were married
Nov. 20, 1920 in Billings Montana.

Ann Vivian McDonald was born July 21,
1895 in New Holstein, Wisconsin. Her moth-
er Mary Khatorina Banderob McDonald had
also been born there, Nov. 26, 1868. Her
father was born, April 15, 1865 in Ireland and
immigrated to the U.S. They returned to
Euclare, Ireland and were married, Nov. 1,
1892. They had 4 children, Johanna, Ann,
Gertrude and Bill. Their father James Albert
McDonald worked on construction and was
killed when he fell during construction of a
bridge, August 12, 1902. Their family lived in
Chicago for a time where Mary worked for a
wealthy family.

In April, 1906, they moved to Sage Creek
Flats, Montana, where Mary's brother's
family lived. They rode a train from Chicago
to Bowler, Montana. Chicago was in a heat
wave when they left and it was blizzarding
when they arrived. They traveled by bob sled
to the brother's place.

In 1907, the McDonald's and Banderobs
moved to a new homestead near Huntley,
Montana. There they lived in a log house.
They had grade school and attended high
school to the 10th grade in Huntley.

After their marriage, David and Ann lived
in Cherry County in what was called the
Larson house - now located northwest of Erik
Ericksen's place. They then moved into
Grandad Sullivan's sod house until 1925.
Eleanor was born 1921 in Mullen.
Mary, 1923 and Thomas, June 28,
1924 and Laura, 1926. All born in
town. From 1925 to 1930 they lived in
Sunburst, Montana. Thomas died, April 19,
1925 from flu and is buried in Laurel,
Montana. In Sunburst, David was born
1928 and Bob, 1929.

In 1930, they moved back to Cherry County
and again lived in the sod house. Don was
born 1931 there. In 1931 they built
a new house south of the sod house. Jerry and
Theresa were born there, 1932 and
Rosalie, 1934. This house burned
down around 1953. In 1942, they moved to the
house where Rick and Kay Ericksen now live.
And in 1945, moved to the ranch 5 miles north
of Mullen which they purchased from Fiels
and Alice Boyer. There were two houses on
this place, Boyers and one that Littles lived
in. It was later moved to town and is
Neumeyer's house now.

The four oldest children attended country
school and traveled to Valentine for eighth
grade exams. Then Grandma moved to town
with them to attend high school. They lived
in the house that now belongs to Floyd Carrs.
In 1945 the 3 youngest began attending the
grade school on the hill east of John Krayes.
Fern Reigle was the teacher. Other families
were Cotants, Dooleys, Christies, and Elliots.
They then traded off with Christies to drive
in for high school.

On April 4, 1947, David died from a fall off
a scaffold while working on their house. On
May 15, 1952, their son David was killed in
action in Korea. Grandma died Feb. 4, 1984
after a broken hip and finally a stroke. She
was very active all her life, still running up
the stairs in her 70's, walking the pastures to
check water. She kept up her house and
garden and spoiled many, many grandkids
with coffee, cream and sugar and frosted
crackers or cookies.

Of their children, Eleanor still lives at the
ranch north of Mullen. Mary married James
Davis, August 10th, 1944 and they had 4
children. They lived in Ogden, Utah many
years and now live in Fort Collins, Co.

Laura married Jack Jensen (deceased) and
had 3 daughters. She now lives in Ogden,
Utah.

Bob had a son and daughter from his first
marriage, then Bob, Audrey and Kathleen
from the second marriage. He now lives in
Omaha with his wife Darlene, who also has
a daughter.

Don owns the ranch north of Mullen. He
was married to Virginia Boren and had 4
children. Dave married Catherine Barron
and they have 2 children, Patrick and Alana.
Mary Ann married Jim Rittenhouse and live
at Lewellen, Ne. Donalee, her husband; Bill
Barner and two children, Trevor and Cami
live and work on the ranch. Dennis is in North
Platte. Don married Sherron Cox, Nov. 6,
1982 and they live in Mullen.

Jerry and his wife Kathy lived in Mullen
several years. They have 3 daughters and one
son and live in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

Theresa married Fred Kraye and they have
1 daughter and 3 sons who all live around
Mullen.

Rosalie married Sid Bullington and spent
many years around Mullen. They now live at
Hyannis and had 5 daughters and 4 sons.