Biography of Hugh R. Culbertson, pages 456/457/458.  History of DeKalb 
County, Indiana; B. F. Bowen & Company, Inc., Indianapolis, 1914.



Hugh R. Culbertson



	The gentleman to a review of whose life the reader’s attention is 
herewith directed is recognized as one of the energetic, well known 
business men of Auburn, who by his enterprise and progressive methods 
has contributed in a material way to the commercial advancement of the 
city, besides filling worthily the responsible position of mayor of the 
city. In the course of an honorable career he has been successful in 
the lines to which his efforts have been directed and enjoys 
distinctive prestige among the representative men of his city and 
county.

	Hugh R. Culbertson was born on his father’s farm in Concord 
township, DeKalb county, Indiana, on April 9, 1853, and is the son of 
Robert and Margaret (Robinson) Culbertson. Robert Culbertson was a 
native of the state of Ohio, but was numbered among the pioneers of 
DeKalb county, owning a good farm in Concord township. After the death 
of his first wife, the subject’s mother, he married Mrs. Sidney Brown, 
widow of Samuel Brown.  He remained on the farm until advancing years 
compelled him to relinquish active labor, and he went to live with a 
daughter, Mrs. Welch, in Jackson township, where his death occurred. 
His widow was stricken with paralysis in her old age and was thereafter 
cared for by her son, Herman L. Brown, until her death, which occurred 
in 1910. Hugh R. Culbertson is one of seven children born to his 
parents, two of whom died in infancy.  Zephaniah was a soldier in the 
Civil war and was killed at the battle of Shiloh; Mary Jane, who is 
deceased, was the wife of John Owens, of Jackson township, this county; 
James, who died in the later eighties, was a veteran of the Civil war, 
and afterwards lived in Auburn, where he owned a good brick residence 
at the corner of Main and Tenth streets; Emily became the wife of 
Daniel Welch and they lived in Jackson township, this county, until Mr. 
Welch’s health failed, when they moved to Auburn, where he died.  She 
later married Charles Jenkins, ex-county clerk and successful grocer at 
Auburn.

	Hugh R. Culbertson spent his boyhood and young manhood on the 
home farm in Concord township, receiving his education in the district 
schools of the neighborhood.  After his marriage, in 1875, he engaged 
in farming on his own account and was so engaged until 1881, when he 
went to Columbia City, this state, and was employed in the implement 
and buggy business.  In August of the same year he came to Auburn and 
bought an interest hardware store in partnership with D.D. Snyder, and 
handled a regular line of hardware as well as farm machinery.  In the 
fall of 1884 the hardware stock was sold to W.H. Kibblinger, Messrs, 
Culbertson and Snyder continuing the implement business together until 
Mr. Snyder sold his interest in the business to W.B. Brown.  Culbertson 
& Brown continued together until 1891, when they added a hardware 
department and took in M. Boland as a partner.  A few years later 
Culbertson and Boland bought Brown’s interest and ran the business 
until September 4, 1904, when the Culbertson Hardware Company was 
incorporated, with Hugh R. Culbertson as the principal stockholder, the 
remaining stock being held by R. D. Welch and F. E. Dragoo.  In 1908 
Mr. Welch sold his stock to Mr. Dragoo. The company has a paid up 
capital stock of seven thousand dollars, and carries a large and 
complete line of all kinds of shelf and heavy hardware, as well as 
agricultural implements and farm machinery. The retail store is located 
on the north side of the public square and a large wareroom is 
maintained at the corner of Seventh and East streets.  In 1891 Mr. 
Culbertson erected a large and attractive home at the corner of Second 
and Main streets, which is considered one of the handsomest homes in 
Auburn.  The splendid success, which attended Mr. Culbertson’s business 
efforts came as the result only of the most persistent energy and 
indefatigable efforts, and all that he has today has been honestly 
earned. His business record here has been characterized by the 
strictest integrity of word and deed and no man enjoys to a greater 
extent the confidence and good will of the people.

	A Republican in his political affiliations, Mr. Culbertson has 
for many years been an ardent supporter and active worker in the ranks 
of the organization.  He has a number of times served as a delegate to 
state conventions and was an alternate delegate to the national 
convention, which nominated William Howard Taft for the Presidency.  In 
the fall of 1909 he was elected, mayor of Auburn after a most spirited 
contest.  The regular election resulted in a tie vote between the two 
leading candidates for the mayoralty, despite the fact that the city is 
normally Democratic by one hundred votes. A special election was then 
called and Mr. Culbertson was then elected by a majority of twenty-two 
votes.  His term will expire on January 1, 194. Fraternally, Mr. 
Culbertson is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the 
Knights of Pythias.  Mrs. Culbertson is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal church.

	In 1875 Hugh R. Culbertson was married to Harriett, the adopted 
daughter of James Dragoo.  Mr. Dragoo was a pioneer settler of this 
county, having come from Hayesville, Ohio, in 1837 and entered 
government land in Jackson and Concord townships.  He became a 
successful farmer and business man, shipping large numbers of live 
stock to Eastern markets, and he took a prominent part in the civic 
life of the community. He was the father of two children and also 
adopted three girls, whom he reared with the same care and attention as 
if they had been of his own flesh and blood.  Mrs. Culbertson was born 
in the southeastern part of DeKalb county.  Her father died when she 
was a little girl and she was reared in the Dragoo home. Mr. and Mrs. 
Culbertson have a daughter, Nellie, born on March 10, 1896.



Submitted by:

Arlene Goodwin

Auburn, Indiana

Agoodwin@ctlnet.com