In 1881, he married Miss Laura (Tipton), the daughter of a prosperous farmer of Jamestown, MO., where he was at that time employed. To this union, eleven children were born. The oldest, Rev. William Earnest Sullens, filled the pulpit at the Jasper M.E. Church at Jasper, MO.; the second son, Roy A. Sullens, aged twenty-four, studied medicine at Kansas City, MO., and Clarence Sullens, the third son, of Webb City, MO., was engaged in the mercantile business at the time of their father's death.
In September 1889, James joined the Southwest Missouri Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, being ordained a minister at Marshall, MO, and was appointed to Prairie Home Circuit. He was ordained an elder by Bishop Haygood at Boonville in 1893. He served pastorates at Onaville, Siloh, Slater Station, Clinton Station and Monett, before going to Webb City in 1901, where he stayed four years. He came to Springfield from Morrisville in June 1907, to accept the call from the Campbell Street Methodist Episcopal Church. During the time he filled the charge at Slater, Dr. C.H. Briggs, pastor of St. Paul Church, Springfield (f. 1832), was presiding elder of the district.
Dr. Briggs said Rev. Sullens was one of the most earnest and energetic pastors he has ever met in his long years in the ministry, and he was deeply affected when informed of his shocking death. Rev. Sullens was shot while hunting near Glidewell (a village eight miles northwest of Springfield) by the accidental discharge of a shotgun in the hands of J.T. Jared, of Jared Bros. of 212 West Commercial St. on December 16, 1908.
Dr. Briggs said Rev. Sullens was one of the most earnest and energetic pastors he has ever met in his long years in the ministry, and he was deeply affected when informed of his shocking death. Rev. Sullens was shot while hunting near Glidewell (a village eight miles northwest of Springfield) by the accidental discharge of a shotgun in the hands of J.T. Jared, of Jared Bros. of 212 West Commercial St. on December 16, 1908.
More to Read:
1. "Springfield Leader" newspaper obituary, Springfield, Greene County.
2. Peter Sullens and Mary Carson and Two Hundred Years of Descendants. By Maude Sullens Hoffman. 1971.
3. See the "Leaf" labeled biographies for more information.
4. Findagrave #41910150
3. See the "Leaf" labeled biographies for more information.
4. Findagrave #41910150
