Roger C. Sullivan, 59 years old, Democratic leader of Cook county and prominent in state and national politics for 30 years died at his home in Chicago Wednesday at 4:15 p.m., as a result of a sudden attack of heart failure, superinduced by bronchial pneumonia. For some months past he had been in failing health and had spent considerable time at Palm Beach, Fla., and Hot Springs, Ark., and other health resorts. Besides the widow he is survived by one son and four daughters. Funeral services were held Saturday.
Millionaires, policemen, ward heelers, widows, bankers, and statesmen joined in expression of sympathy over the death of this financier and politician who rose from farm hand to political “boss” of his state.
Roger Sullivan had been a participant in every Democratic convention since 1892, and in at least three of the seven he attended, he had been a commanding figure. His clashes with Bryan and with the Carter Harrison and William H. Hearst faction of the party in his home state, which brought him the title of “boss” from his political enemies, made Sullivan known throughout the country.
Only one large office attracted the attention and aroused the ambition of Sullivan and that was the Senatorship. This is the one thing that he went out for. He canvassed the State thoroughly and in characteristic fashion, but he was defeated by the downstate vote for Senator Lawrence Sherman (Rep.) whose term expires next March.
Sullivan made possible the nomination and the election of president Wilson. The long fight for that nomination is still vividly recalled.
Financially he evidently was a success, though born poor he was reputed to be a millionaire at the time of his death, making his money from the manufacture of gass, and soda crackers mixed with politics.