Sullivan, Jere A. (1862-1931) | Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives

Jere Andrew Sullivan was born to Patrick and Catherine (Brennan) Sullivan on January 6, 1862. He attended many private schools in Richmond, Kentucky and then began attending Central University in 1876. When he graduated in 1880, he did so with the highest honors of his class. Eventually, he was appointed deputy clerk of the Madison County Clerk. Afterward, he began studying law under Judge Thomas J. Scott. Sullivan began attending law school in September 1883 at the University of Virginia. He was nominated, and ran, for the county attorney position in Madison County not once, but twice; first in 1885 and again in 1890. However, at the end of his second term as county attorney, he declined another opportunity to become a candidate again in order to devote his time to private practice.

Sullivan did go on in 1907 to serve as the Madison County Representative in the Kentucky State Legislature. With such a position, he used it to better, not only public, but higher education. He wrote the bill, which was passed by the Kentucky legislature, which established Eastern and Western Kentucky State Teachers College. He also wrote the "county school administration law," which would require there to be at least one high school in each county of Kentucky. He was on the House Committee on Rules and was chairman of the Agricultural and Mechanical College and State Normal School. He served on the Board of Regents of Eastern Kentucky State Normal School Teacher's College from 1906-1930.

Throughout his life, Jere Sullivan did not marry and he had no children. Therefore, when he passed away on September 12, 1931, the only members of his family that survived him were his nieces and nephews and his two sisters: Mary Sullivan and Sister Mary Florentia, who was a member of the Sisters of Charity in Louisville and a teacher there.

Lawyers and Lawmakers of Kentucky

Jere Sullivan Obituary