Sullivan

(submitted by Audrey Beattie)

James Sullivan (–1914) settled in Warwick Twp. on the west half of Lot 29, Con. 3 SER. James married Emma Martin. They had six children: Lena, Edgar, Carrie, Bertha, Mary, and Paul. Bertha died of consumption at age 15. Mary married Russell Robertson and lived on Zion Line. Paul left school and assisted his father with the apple orchard.

James and Emma were members of the Methodist Church and he was Sunday School Superintendent for 25 years.

After his father died, Paul found himself in charge of the farm and taking care of his mother at 18 years of age. Paul married Pearl McLean in 1922 and they had one daughter, Audrey (1925–). Despite a serious kidney ailment, nephritis, Pearl lived a relatively healthy life until 86 years of age. Paul continued with the apple orchard for many years, buzzed wood for local farmers, made maple syrup, and had chickens.

Audrey’s fiancé Patten Beattie came to help with the maple syrup one year and never left. In 1944, after Audrey finished at Alma College, she and Patten married. The Beatties bought the farm next door, the east half of Lot 29. They had three children: Paul, Stephen, and Brenda. Paul died young after a short illness in 1966.

When Paul needed more help around the farm he hired Sherman Williams, Gordon Aitken, Ray Watson and Clayton Bryson. In the 1950s, when people in Holland wanted to come to Canada, Paul sponsored several families, never once regretting his commitment. Paul and Pat Beattie sold CIL Fertilizer and had 200 to 300 beef cattle. In 1966, the Sullivans retired into Watford, selling the farm to Audrey and Pat. Paul died as the result of a traffic accident in 1971.

Paul kept diaries from 1914 until the day he died. In recent years, the History Department of York University sought permission to acquire them to help complete something missing in Canadian history — a picture of the farming community. It is interesting to note that sometimes our most insignificant endeavours, like diaries, may become our greatest achievements.

Pearl McLean and her husband Paul Sullivan. Courtesy A Beattie.

Chapter 24 of 25 - Sullivan Family

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