Humeston numbers among its most public-spirited, active and progressive citizens the present postmaster, A. D. McCULLOCH, who since 1906 has been acceptably discharging the duties of his office. Since 1888 he has been a resident of the city and during the intervening period has been carried forward by the force of his ability and energy into important relations with the general business life of the community in which he has been an active force and a dominating factor.

Mr. McCULLOCH was born in Holmes county, Ohio, January 24, 1851, a son of Joseph and Nancy (Miller) McCulloch, natives of Pennsylvania, the former of whom died in Ohio at an early date. The mother long survived her husband, passing away in that state at the age of seventy-nine. In their family were fourteen children: One who died in infancy; Hugh, deceased; James, who died in Oskaloosa, Iowa; Miller R., who was a captain in the Second Kentucky Cavalry and was killed at the battle of Murfreesboro in the Civil war; David and Mrs. Nancy Jane PAINTER, who have also passed away; Albertus P., a veteran of the Civil war, who served during that conflict as a member of an Ohio regiment; Mrs. Martha Ann SHERLOCK, residing in Indiana; Joseph, who died in infancy; George, a prominent physician of Humeston; Alfred D., of this review; Joseph C., whose home is in Cleveland, Ohio; Mrs. Ella SLAGLE, of Millersburg, Ohio; and Isaac, who died at Brooklyn, Iowa.

In the acquirement of an education Alfred D. McCULLOUCH attended the public schools in Holmes county and there grew to manhood. After laying aside his books he followed farming and engaged extensively in stock shipping for a number of years, varying his activities at times by teaching school. In 1888 he came with his family to Humeston, Iowa, where he has since resided. For some time he assisted his brother, Dr. George McCULLOCH, in the management of farming lands and in this way acquired valuable property holdings, owning at the present time four hundred acres in this locality, three hundred and twenty acres in Union township, Wayne county, and eighty acres in Riehman township, this county, all with good improvements. Afterward Mr. McCULLOCH of this review became interested in dealing in live stock and for a number of years shipped high-grade horses, cattle, hogs and sheep to the eastern markets, where his animals commanded a high price and a ready sale. In 1891 he entered the hardware field and remained in that connection until 1911, making his business one of the most progressive enterprises in the town. In 1896 he was elected sheriff of Wayne county and since that time has been influentially connected with local public life, evidencing in this relation loyalty, patriotism and conscientiousness of a high order. For one term he was justice of the peace and for some time a member of the town council, resigning the latter office when he was appointed to his present position of postmaster. He has served creditably in this office since April, 1906, fulfilling his duties in a systematic, capable and efficient manner. Mr. McCULLOCH has extensive property interests in Humeston, owning a beautiful and well furnished home in a fine residence district and being the proprietor also of the building in which the postoffice is located. He is interested as a stockholder in the Allerton State Bank, of which he has been a director since its organization. He is a man of keen business ability, resourceful, capable and energetic, and his qualities of initiative and independence have ever been manifested in the excellent results he has achieved.

In Holmes county, Ohio, Mr. McCULLOCH was united in marriage to Miss Rosa A. FINLEY, who was born in that section, a daughter of David and Nancy (ELLIOTT) FINLEY, natives of Ohio. In this family were six children: Mrs. Celia GRAY, residing in Kellerton, Iowa; Calvin, whose home is at Cleveland. Ohio; Oliver, of Millersburg, Ohio; Rosa A., the wife of the subject of this review; Elmer, also a resident of Millersburg, Ohio; and Mrs. Ida FARVER, who has passed away. All of these children were born in Holmes county, Ohio.

Mr. and Mrs. McCULLOCH have four children. Bert, born in Holmes county. Ohio, was graduated from the Corydon high school and is now acting as cashier of the Home Savings Bank at Humeston. Harry I., whose birth also occurred in Holmes county, was graduated from the Iowa State College at Ames and is now practicing as a veterinary surgeon at New Sharon, Iowa. Nannie D.. a native of Wayne county, attended the State Teachers' College at Cedar Falls and Drake University of Des Moines and for the past three years has been teaching in the primary department of the Humeston public schools. Franklin, who completes the family, is attending high school in Humeston.

Mr. McCULLOCH has extensive fraternal relations, being a member of Fidelity Lodge, No. 288, F. & A. M., to which his two oldest sons also belong. He holds membership in the chapter at Corydon, the commandery at Centerville and is affiliated also with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He belongs to Chappaqua Lodge, I. 0. 0. F., of Humeston, and Blue Grass Camp, Modern Woodmen of America. He has gained a position of distinction in the latter organization and at one time served as delegate to the head camp at Indianapolis. Indiana. He is also a member of the Yeomen of Humeston and both he and Mrs. McCULLOCH belong to the Order of the Eastern Star, she having been worthy matron for three terms. Mr. McCULLOCH gives his allegiance to the republican party and has been active in support of its principles and policies for many years. No movement for the public good seeks his aid in vain and he has never shirked the responsibilities of citizenship, working loyally always for the good of his community. Especially is he interested in school matters and his business ability has been a helpful factor in the cause of school expansion, for he was president of the board of education when the present school building was completed. He is the oldest business man in Humeston, as well as one of the leading and representative ones and his ability has been broadened and developed by travel through all parts of the United States. He is interested in history and has made it his aim to visit points of historic interest. Being in all things broad-minded and liberally cultured, he is an upright and straightforward business man and a kindly and courteous gentleman.

SOURCE: Past and Present of Lucas and Wayne Counties Vol. II., 3rd Series Pp. 222-23. S.J. Clarke Publ. Co. Chicago. 1912.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, June of 2009