Search Tip: Denis' first name is spelled "Denis" or "Dennis", and varies among the records.

We believe Denis Sullivan was the son of John Sullivan and Catherine Mahoney based on a marriage record for Denis Sullivan and his wife Ellen from La Salle, Illinois.

Both Denis Sullivan and his wife, Ellen (Donahoe or Donaghue) Sullivan, were born in Ireland. According to his obituary, Dennis Sullivan was born in 1832 in Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland in 1832. He came to America as a young man in 1850, and first lived in Dayton, Ohio.

Dennis Sullivan married Ellen (Donahoe or Donaghue) Sullivan pm August 23rd, 1857.

In 1858, Dennis and Ellen were living in La Salle, Illinois. It was there that their first daughter, Mary E. (Sullivan) Hayes Finton/Fenton was born. Based on the 1880 Census that follows and information about where each of the children was born, it appears that the family may have moved between Illinois and Nebraska before settling permanently in Platte Center, Nebraska.

To the union of Denis and Ellen, eleven children were born (six sons and five daughters). The names of nine of the children are known to us. In addition to these nine, and additional son whose name was James has been identified in church records. It appears he was baptized in La Salle, Illinois, and may have been born just after Timothy.

In 1860, a Dennis Sullivan is shown on the US Census record to have been at Fort Randall in the Nebraska Territory. His age was recorded at 28 years (transcription). This may or may not be "our Dennis", although the age is right. The search continues for any additional information that might help us confirm.

St. Joseph's Catholic Church published a wonderful centennial book: Century of Blessings, St. Joseph Centennial, Platte Center, Nebraska (1884-1984). In it, there is a reference to the arrival of Dennis Sullivan in 1871 when he joined other settlers in the area.

The US Census in 1880 records Denis Sullivan as a resident of Shell Creek, Platte County, Nebraska. Denis was 50 years old, married, and a farmer. At the time of this survey, Denis' wife, Ellen, was said to be 45 years old. The oldest of Denis' children is a daughter, Mary (Sullivan) Hayes Finton/Fenton who was born in Illinois. Catherine "Caty" may have followed in Nebraska (assuming the records are accurate). Her birth year will require additional research since it is unlikely that both Mary and Catherine were both born in 1858. Denis' son's, Timothy and John James, were said to have been born in Illinois. Nelly was also said to have been born in Illinois. Denis Jr., Dan, and James were then said to have been born in Nebraska.