It is named for Michael L. Sullivant, who in the 1860s was reputedly "the world's most successful farmer."

[citation needed] Sullivant owned 80,000 acres (324 km2) in Champaign, Ford, Piatt, and Livingston counties and used his land to raise corn and to graze large herds of cattle; he was one of a select group of wealthy men who dominated the state's booming livestock industry in the middle to late 19th century.

[citation needed] An 1876 map of Ford County by Warner and Beers of the Union Atlas Co. shows Sullivant owning 42,000 acres (170 km2) in Ford County, including all of Sullivant Township.

There were 231 housing units at an average density of 4.87 per square mile (1.88/km2).

37.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.