Rev. Edward Everett Sullens, M.G. (1865-1940) -- Circuit Rider. Edward was born July 3, 1865 in Brazito, Cole County, Mo. to Peter Washington Green and Sarah Ann (Johnston) Sullens. Edward began preaching for the Lord when he was about 19 years of age.
He married Viola Catherine (Loveall) (1866-1940), daughter of Daniel David Loveall and Frances Ann "Annie" (Sweaney), May 18, 1887 in Tuscumbia, MO. They had 9 children. He performed two of his children's marriages and two of his daughters married ministers – Alva married Rev. Harrison Gordon Butler and Flossie married Rev. Clifford Moody.
Edward organized the Jim Henry Methodist Church in the late 1800s. The church and furniture were built by himself and his brother, Enos Asbury Sullens (1867-1934). James M. Rush donated a hilly part of the Rush land for the church and cemetery. It was known as the Jim Henry Methodist church for many years because of the location – Jim Henry was an Osage Indian who lived in the area between Tuscumbia and Mary's Home. The township now carries his name. Later the name of the cemetery was changed to Rush Chapel in memory of the early Rush pioneers who are buried there.
The Jim Henry church was one of Rev. Sullen's early pastorates. The rickety building was torn down about 1962. All that remains is the cemetery and a small picnic shelter that was built in the 1980s. The Rush family continues to meet there on Decoration (Memorial) Day once a year to decorate their loved ones graves and celebrate with a picnic lunch. A descendant of Ephraim, James M's brother, continues to care for the cemetery and picnic grounds.
Edward died August 26, 1940 in Hitchcock, OK and Viola died 3 months and one week later the same year in Eakley, Ok. Both are buried in Hobart, OK.
More to Read:
!. Peter Sullens and Mary Carson & Two Hundred Years of Descendants. By Maude Sullens Hoffman, 1971.
2. The Rush Report. Compiled by Gaynelle Jenkins Moore. Research Assistance: David W. Rush. March 2003.
3. The Loveall Report. Compiled by Gaynelle Jenkins Moore. April 2010.
4. Walt Eis' Wiki-tree page for Rev. Sullens.
5. Findagrave #23903612
Places to Visit in MO.
1. Rush Chapel Cemetery, Jim Henry or Rush Road, Mary's Home, MO.
2. Miller County Museum, 2005 Highway 52, Tuscumbia, MO.
Thanks so much for sharing the information about E. Sullens and the Jim Henry Methodist Church. Some members of the Rush family had a reunion today and were wondering about the church. I also gave them the link to your rush-family-news blog post.
ReplyDeleteI just came across your site. Edward Sullens was my great, great grand father. Thanks for doing this excellent work! I've added your write-up to his page on Wikitree (along with appropriate citation).
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteHi again, I see you have a picture of Rev Sullens. Could I add that to his Wikitree profile?
ReplyDeleteSure, you may have a screen shot, if you give me or one of my blogs credit -- have you checked out our genealogy blog -- Rush Family News? I've been working there, updating links and completing a Google library shelf for family to preview our genealogy books mentioned both on Rush news and here on the History Nut. Yesterday, we were in Miller County at a family funeral at Mary's Home, MO. This person was to be buried at Rush Chapel cemetery where Edward was the pastor.
ReplyDelete