CULBERTSON, John W. - 1890 Bio (1807-1883)

CULBERTSON, WELCH, EAGLE, ANDERSON, MONTGOMERY

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/2/2007 at 19:35:02

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 333-335

John W. CULBERTSON, deceased, was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., July 7, 1807. His father, Hon. Hugh CULBERTSON, was born in Franklin County, Pa., but reared in Westmoreland County, and was of Scotch (sic) descent. He wedded Miss Jane WELCH, a native of Lancaster County, Pa., and after their marriage they removed to Wayne County, Ohio, in 1823. Both were active members of the Presbyterian Church and their active consistent Christian lives won them the high regard of the entire community. He was an extensive farmer and for many years held the office of County Judge. His death occurred in the eighty-first year of his age and his wife was called to her final rest while in her seventieth year.

Our subject was the fourth in a family of twelve children and in the usual manner of farmer lads his early life was spent. He received a limited education in the district schools of the neighborhood, became familiar with all the details and routine of farm life, but upon reaching manhood he turned his attention to merchandising which he followed in Wooster, Ohio, his family having removed to Wayne County when he was a lad of sixteen summers. For a companion in life's journey he chose Miss Elizabeth A. EAGLE, daughter of William and Rachel (ANDERSON) EAGLE, and on the 22nd of January, 1834, their marriage was celebrated. She was born in Wayne County, February 20, 1811, and her parents were natives of Virginia, her father having been born near Hagerstown and her mother near Crissuptown. Her paternal grandparents were both natives of England, but in youth came to this country and settled in Virginia where they were married. Her grandmother ANDERSON was also a native of England but her husband was of Scotch (sic) extraction. Mrs. CULBERTSON's parents are numbered among the early settlers of the Buckeye State. They were married in Lancaster County and subsequently removed to Wayne County, where Mr. EAGLE followed farming until 1840, which year witnessed the removal of himself and family to Missouri. He died in Kirksville, that State, at the age of eighty-one years and his wife died near Macon City, Mo., in her ninety-third year. As they were worthy citizens deep regret was felt at their loss for they had many warm friends. The husband was a Democrat in politics and in pursuit of fortune followed farming throughout his entire life. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Of their family of seven children, consisting of three sons and four daughters, only three are now living -- Mary, the widow of Jonathan MONTGOMERY, who resides at Macon, Mo.; Hon. Thomas A., who is a medical practitioner by profession, of Macon County, Mo.; and Elizabeth A., wife of our subject.

Mr. and Mrs. CULBERTSON removed to Gilead, Wood County, Ohio, where for some time he engaged in merchandising and also held the office of Postmaster. In 1838, he removed to Lawrence County, Ill., and the following year made a trip to Iowa in search of a location. The country and its prospects were all that he anticipated and being favorably impressed with the surroundings he determined to make Jefferson County his future home. It is needless to say that he had no occasion to regret the step thus taken. Accompanied by his wife he landed in Fairfield on the 6th of February, 1840. He purchased a claim of three hundred and twenty-five acres for $400, entered it when the land came into market and in the course of time had a fine home, highly cultivated and with splendid improvements thereon, additing both to its value and attractiveness. Prosperity attended his footsteps as a reward for his labor and zeal and at his death he left his family well provided for.

To Mr. and Mrs. CULBERTSON were born two children: William B., now a prominent lawyer of Burlington; and Edward B., who died when about twenty-four years of age. The record of this family during the early years of their residence in Jefferson County, is one of interest and serves to illustrate the general condition of affairs at that time. When Mr. CULBERTSON and his wife came to Fairfield they stopped first at the tavern, a house 20x20 feet with puncheons overhead to furnish a sleeping apartment. Between twenty and thirty boarders were accommodated, or rather lodged, for such close quarters could hardly be designated accommodations. Not relishing such a life Mr. CULBERTSON rented a little log cabin but the shelter it afforded was very inefficient. His wife was in delicate health and the wonder is that she ever survived the winter. One night she awakened and said to her husband that it must be snowing, whereupon he sprang from his bed and found himself several inches in snow. For the use of that cabin they paid $5 per month. They soon, however, built a two roomed house but it became too cold to complete the work, so they tacked clapboards over the cracks as best they could and moved in. There was no furniture in Fairfield, so they went to Burlington and bought all of the saleable furniture the place contained, amounting to a bed, table, and a set of chairs but the people were every neighborly and would share with one another any available thing. Mrs. CULBERTSON had a small copper kettle in which the entire community made preserves. Mrs. M. E. Woods possessed a large brass kettle, which all used in washing and Mrs. D. Moberly furnished the neighborhood with a large iron soap kettle. A feeling of kindliness and friendliness then existed, such as is uncommon at this day, and no one felt they could selfishly keep for his own use any article which his neighbors were not fortunate enough to possess.

Time brings changes of which even the most farsighted did not dream and the once sparsely settled region has been transformed into a county in in (sic) many respects second to none in the State, which is inhabited by a contented and intelligent people, whose well cultivated farms and comfortable homes speak of thrift and industry. Changes came also to Mr. and Mrs. CULBERTSON and success crowned their efforts, yielding them a comfortable income of which they ever gave liberally for charitable and benevolent purposes and for the advancement of such enterprises as are calculated to benefit the community. Mr. CULBERTSON was also called upon to serve in official positions. He was receiver at the land office at Fairfield until its removal from the city, was County Clerk for a number of years and was a member of the Territorial Legislature. In politics he affiliated with the Democratic party and socially was an Odd Fellow. He died May 8, 1883, lamented by a grateful people. Mrs. CULBERTSON still lives, honored and loved by all who knew her. For sixty-two years she has been connected with the Methodist Church, being one of the five charter members of that denomination in Fairfield, and the only one yet living.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.