BIOGRAPHY: Horace J. CULBERTSON, Mifflin County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Patty Frank Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. http://files.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/mifflin/ http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/mifflin/1picts/runk1897/runk-bios.htm __________________________________________________________________________ The Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley, Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata, and Perry, Pennsylvania. Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, Volume I, pages 421-423. __________________________________________________________________________ HORACE J. CULBERTSON, Lewistown, Mifflin county, Pa., son of Dr. James and Mary (Steel) Culbertson, was born at Lewistown, May 25, 1842. The Culbertson family is of Scotch-Irish origin; it is widely spread through the Middle States, and its members are everywhere found among the refined and intelligent part of the community. William Culbertson, great-grandfather of Horace J., was a resident of Cumberland county, Pa., where, in 1771, he purchased six hundred acres of land, part of which is still in the possession of his descendants. One of his sons, Samuel Culbertson, spent his early and mature years in Harrisburg, Pa; he was a man of influence by reason of his intelligence and personal worth. He was a member of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania. At the age of fifty-six or fifty- seven, Mr. Culbertson married Elizabeth Loudon; their children were two: William; and Dr. James. He retired to his farm in Cumberland county, Pa., in 1798. His son, William Culbertson, married Catherine Urie; they had two children, one of whom, Thomas U., was during the war of the Rebellion, lieutenant of a company in the Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry. He was placed on the staff of Gen. Thomas J. Jordan, who commanded a cavalry brigade in General Sherman's army. Thomas U. Culbertson served throughout the war, was mustered out with the rank of captain. The maternal grandparents of Horace J. Culbertson were Robert and Mary (Steel) Steel. The latter, though bearing the same patronymic as her husband, was not related to him. Robert Steel was one of a family of four; the others were: James; John; and Mary. James was a major in the Revolution, and was seriously wounded at the battle of the Brandywine; he afterwards went to sea, and was never heard from. John Steel also served through the Revolutionary war; he was a quartermaster. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Steel had but one child, Mary, who became the wife of Dr. James Culbertson; she was born January 8, 1802. Robert Steel died in 1809; Mrs. Steel died at the age of seventy-eight. The early history of the Steel family was associated with that of the State of Delaware. Dr. James Culbertson, one of the foremost physicians of his day, was born March 12, 1803, near Carlisle, Cumberland county, Pa., His father died when he was but three years old, and he became the ward of a friend and neighbor, Thomas Urie, whose farm adjoined that of Mr. Samuel Culbertson. The boy resided in the family of his guardian until he reached the age of twelve. Being asked by Mr. Urie what he desired to begin life with young James promptly replied that the first thing was an education. This sensible desire was in full accordance with his father's wishes and arrangements for him, and he was sent to Hopewell Academy, at Newburg, Pa., to prepare for college. Then, entering the sophomore class of Dickinson College, Carlisle, he was graduated in 1824. He chose a profession for which by natural endowments he was eminently fitted-that of medicine. He began his professional studies by reading with Adam Hays, M. D., of Carlisle; matriculated in the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania, and received his diploma April 6, 1827. Before settling down to practise, he made a tour of the Southern States, and in 1828, began his life-work in Lewistown, Pa., as a partner of Edmund Patterson, M. D.; this connection being dissolved at the end of two years, Dr. Culbertson continued his practise alone. His career on nearly thirty years as a physician in that place is worthy of being held in remembrance. He was diligent and conscientious to a high degree, a constant and faithful reader, never counting himself to have fully mastered his profession, but keeping abreast of its progress by making himself conversant with the best and most advanced literature. He was skilled both in surgery and in pathology. Of a keen analytic intellect, he possessed especial ability in diagnosis. This trait led to his being frequently called into consultation by his brother practitioners, to whom he was endeared also by his genial disposition and his unfailing courtesy. All these qualities secured to Dr. Culbertson eminent success, well merited, because he loved and reverenced his noble calling, and regarded as his highest object of ambition the title of a good physician. He was much interested in the sciences of geology and mineralogy, and was an active member of the Geological Society of Pennsylvania. Untiring in his industry, he was a frequent contributor to scientific journals, especially those of his own profession. At the time of his death, Dr. Culbertson was president of the Mifflin County Medical Society. Following is a copy of the resolutions passed by that association on the occasion of his death: "Resolved, That in the decease of our late friend and fellow-citizen, Dr. James Culbertson, the profession has lost an able practitioner; his medical associates, a judicious adviser; the sick and afflicted, an attentive physician and sympathizing friend; and society, generally, an exemplary member, whose urbanity and gentlemanly department had endeared him to a large circle of friends and acquaintances. "Resolved, That we sincerely sympathize with his bereaved family in their irreparable loss. "Resolved, That members of this society attend his funeral April 2, at two o'clock, p.m. "Resolved, That members of this society, as a mark of respect for the memory of the deceased, wear the usual badge of mourning for thirty days. "Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be published in the local county papers, and a copy presented to the family of the deceased." Dr. Culbertson, though a pronounced adherent of the Whig party, was not an active politician, nor an aspirant for public office. He was, however, always ready to serve to the best of his ability the interests of the community in which he lived. He held several responsible positions, among them that of trustee of the Lewistown Academy and of the Lewistown Bank. The marriage of Dr. James Culbertson with Mary Steel took place July 3, 1839. Their children were: William A., born May 29, 1840, and died October 4, 1843; and Horace J. Dr. Culbertson held the Presbyterian beliefs of his Scotch-Irish ancestry, but did not formally connect himself with that church until late in life. He died March 30, 1854; Mrs. Culbertson died April 19, 1885. Having taken his preparatory course at the Lewistown Academy, Horace J. Culbertson entered the sophomore class of Lafayette College, Easton, Pa., in September, 1859. He began the study of law in the office of D. W. Woods, at Lewistown, in 1864, and was admitted to the Mifflin county bar in April, 1866. Early in his career, he was honored with the office of district attorney, which he held from 1871 to 1875, with great credit to himself. He is a zealous and active Republican, and has "stumped" the State for the past ten years. In three county conventions, Mr. Culbertson carried his county for Congress. Later, he became the nominee of the Republican convention for president judge of Mifflin county. His consistent and irreproachable life, his dignified and refined deportment, and his agreeable manner, speak strongly in his favor. Horace J. Culbertson was married, February 6, 1867, to Julia M., daughter of Judge Frederick and Henrietta (Ege) Watts, of Carlisle, Pa. Their children are: a son who died in infancy; Henrietta, born July 27, 1872, died December 21, 1876; Gertrude, born March 17, 1875, died December 19, 1876; James, born July 21, 1878, died December 9, 1880; Ellen C., born July 26, 1884, died November 1, 1886; Sarah R., died in early childhood; Frederick W.; Mary S.; Julia; and Anna M. R. Mrs. Horace J. Culbertson died November 2, 1886. Mr. Culbertson and his family attend the Episcopal church. Mrs. Culbertson's father, Hon. Frederick Watts, was appointed a commissioner of agriculture in 1871, under President Grant, and served until the end of that administration.