John Culbertson

John Culbertson, son of William and Elizabeth Culbertson, was born in Pennsylvania, December 19, 1800. His earlier years were passed in a manner common to boys at the beginning of this century; but as his years increased he manifested his desire for independence, and resolved to learn the saddler's and harness trade. Tin's resolve he carried out, and for years he followed the trade with the same close attention which marked his later life in commercial circles, in 1841 he settled in this county and engaged in mercantile trade. His strict attention to business and square dealing, insured the success of his new venture, so that in a short time he commanded a very heavy trade around Toulon, and indeed throughout this section of the country. He established a flouring mill and woolen factory here, which was operated under his own supervision, and gave employment to a number of persons, some of whom were skilled workmen. His investments in real-estate round Toulon were very extensive, and at one time it was said he intended to purchase the whole township and adjoining one of Goshen. In religious affairs both he and Mrs. Culbertson were Baptists, and in the history of that church their connection with it is shown— he having built the present house and presented it to the society. On February 17, 1822, he married Miss Pleasant Bateman. They were the parents of four children—Louisa, who married Lucius Miner; William and John, deceased; and James, a physician of Toulon. Mr. Culbertson died June 5, 1869, just at the time when he planned the expenditure of some of his great wealth on improving the town in which he accumulated it.