Sullivan's parents brought him to Philadelphia when he was two years old, and he received his education at the University of Pennsylvania.

He served in the Mexican-American War, and received the brevet of major for meritorious services.

After retiring to civil life he became one of the official stenographers of the U.S. Senate, and in 1848 went to live in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was admitted to the bar.

[1] On December 11, 1866, President Andrew Johnson nominated Sullivan for appointment to the brevet grade of brigadier general of volunteers to rank from March 13, 1865, and the U.S. Senate confirmed the appointment on February 6, 1867.

Sullivan died at Cincinnati on March 2, 1883, and was buried in Spring Grove Cemetery.