Sullivan, Roger C. (1861-1920) Roger C. Sullivan was born in Belvidere, Illinois. After working on a farm for several years, Sullivan came to Chicago in 1879 and began working as a machinist at the West Side Street Railway shops. He was elected Probate clerk in 1890, precipitating a rapid rise into the upper ranks of the Democratic party. He later became the secretary of the Ogden Gas Company and amassed a substantial fortune.