Prominently identified with the local bar for thirty years, Edward M. Sullivan, of Providence, holds the esteem of all who have been observant of his progressive activities in the interest of the community. He has always been a worker and in seeking his own advancement has ever had in mind the welfare of the whole people, inasmuch as his keen mind puts full value in cooperation of individuals to promote the prosperity and happiness of all. These characteristics are not solely the cause of his popularity, for he is the fortunate possessor of a personality that establishes confidence of those he meets in his daily life. Proof of this lies in his selection for important public office, which he has administered with credit and success, and by the large clientele that he has built up during the years of his activities.
He was born in Cranston, Rhode Island, April 3, 1875, a son of Michael, born in Ireland and occupied in this country as a bridge builder and stone mason until his death, and Mary (Healy) Sullivan, also a native of Ireland and now deceased. He received his education in the Cranston public schools and finished at the high school in Providence. He then entered the newspaper profession and for five years was connected with the Providence daily “Telegram.” He abandoned this and entered the Boston University Law School, from which he was graduated with the class of 1899 and received the degree of Bachelor of Laws. In September of that year he was admitted to practice at the bar of Rhode Island and has since been so engaged, with offices at No. 17 Exchange Street, Providence. He is a Democrat in politics and in 1910 was elected mayor of the city of Cranston, having been the first mayor of that municipality upon its change from town to city government. He served in the office for four years. He is a member of the American Bar Association and of the Oaklawn Grange. He attends St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church.
Edward M. Sullivan married, in 1911, Mary E. Hines, who was born in Cranston, and they are the parents of Edward Hines Sullivan.
Source: Carroll, Charles. Rhode Island: Three Centuries of Democracy, vol 3 of 4. New York: Lewis historical Pub. Co., 1932.