Daniel  T.  Culbertson


         Daniel T. Culbertson, one of the prominent citizens of Fairland, was born in Wayne County, Ind., May 24, 181 7.  He was the sixth of twelve children born to  Robert and  Rebecca (King) Culbertson, the former a native of New Castle County, Delaware, and the latter a native of  Louden County, Virginia, of Scotch and English descent, respectively.  Our subject was reared upon a farm in his native county, and at seventeen years of age he entered White Water College, of Centreville, Wayne County, where he completed a classical course, graduating at twenty-one years of age.  In the meantime he had taken up the avocation of a teacher, having taught two terms before entering college. On completing his education he resumed the business of teaching and thus continued for live years.  During that time he devoted his spare moments to the study of law, and at the age of twenty-two he was admitted to the bar.  He entered upon the practice in Centreville, and continued until 1845, when he located upon a farm and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits.  He thus continued in Wayne County until 1863, when he located in Olive Hill of that county, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits and also acted in the capacity of postmaster and railroad agent.  In 1867, he sold out and after spending some time visiting with relatives in Virginia and Kentucky he came to Shelby County, in 1868, and located in Fairland, a resident of which he has been ever since.  He was married January17, 1839, to  Martha Hoover, a native of Wayne County, and his former school mate.  She was born March 17, 1818, and was the daughter of  Henry and  Susannah (Clark) Hoover, both natives of North Carolina.  The death of Mrs. Culbertson occurred October 22, 1867, and on the 17th day of November, 1868, he was married to  Mrs. Martha Smith, daughter of  Alexander and  Sarah (Tallbot ) Bridgland, and was born in Campbell County, Va., August 3, 1830.  The first marriage of Mr. Culbertson resulted in the birth of five children,  Thomas J.,  Louisa A.,  Martha S.,  John F. and  Anna J., of whom John F. and Anna J. died, each one aged about eighteen years.  He and his present wife are the parents of two children,  Lillie D. and  Carrie M., both living.  Mr. and Mrs. Culbertson are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  In politics, the former is a Democrat. While a resident of Wayne County he served as Justice of the Peace five years.  In the fall of 1852, he was the candidate of his party for the office of County Treasurer, and reduced an opposing majority from 2,500 down to sixty-three which reflects very creditably upon his standing in that county.  In 1876, he was elected one of the Commissioners of Shelby County and served one term, during which time the county court was remodeled and fitted up to its present good condition.  In 1882, he was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace and served four years.  In all of his official capacities he has discharged his duties with credit to himself and satisfaction to the public.  He is now acting as Deputy Prosecutor of Brandy wine and Sugar Creek Townships.  He is now in the seventieth year of his age, and would easily pass for a man of fifty-five.  He is an influential man and he and wife are worthy and esteemed citizens.  In 1880, Mr. Culbertson performed the duties of Census Taker in Brandywine Township, and his report proved to be perfectly true in every particular.
History of Shelby County, Indiana, Chicago: Brant & Fuller, 1887, "Brandywine [Township] Sketches, pages 610-611.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

Biography Index        Main Page