William Patton Culbertson, capitalist at Fulton, was born Dec. 3, 1819 near Erie PA. In the paternal line of descent he is of Scotch lineage, his earliest recorded ancestor having been one of those who went to Londonderry, Ireland, to escape the persecution of the Scottish "kirk," and who was in the siege of that place during the attack by King James. John Culbertson, son of the latter, landed at New Castle, Del., during the reign of the first George. His son, John Culbertson (2nd) was born in 1708. The record of his children are - Andrew, 1731; James 1733; Jane 1735; Jon 1737; Samuel 1744; Ebenezer 1757; Esther 1763. The children of Andrew Culbertson were William 1765; John Boyd 1767; Elizabeth 1769; John B (2nd) 1770; Andrew 1772; James 1774; Samuel 1776; Mary 1780; Jeanette 1783.

Andrew Culbertson (2nd), father of Mr. Culbertson of this sketch was born in 1772 in Northumberland Co PA, the increasing generations having settled in that State. He married Ann Culbertson, a cousin of several removes, and they had the following children - John B. 1798; Jane 1800; Duncan 1802; Agnes 1803; James 1805; Eliza 1807. The mother died and was succeeded by Ann Moorhead, who was born April 29, 1781 in Lancaster Co PA of Scotch-Irish parents. The children were THomas M June 21, 1810; ANdrew J. April 21, 1812; and William P., as above stated. Their father was a farmer, and a pioneer of Erie County. He located a farm, which he cleared of the heavy forest and placed in creditable agricultural condition. Desirous of changing his locality, he determined to make his way Westward, and made every preparation to that effect about 1811; but family considerations prevailed and he settled about 10 miles east of Erie, where he secured a claim in the dense primeval forest and cleared another farm. He died in 1848. The demise of his wife took palce Nov. 17, 1867. Thomas M., their oldest son, died Oct. 16, 1881. Andrew was for many years a farmer in Garden Prairie Township, Boone Co. IL. He is living there in retirement.

Mr. Culbertson obtained a fair degree of common-school education under the difficulties naturally attendant upon pioneer conditions; and after he was 21 years of age, acquired an expert acquaintance with the business of a carpenter and joiner, going to Washington County, in his native State, for that purpose, and was occupied there in the vocation of a mechanic between two and three years. In 1843, circumstances induced him to make a chance trip to Western IL, and he remained throughout that year and until the fall of 1844 in Rock Island and Warren Counties; and, during the period of his stay in the latter, he was occupied in the pursuit of his trade. He returned to the state of his nativity at the time referred to, having contracted the "chills" a malarial disease which was more troublesome than dangerous, and in the early days of IL seemed likely to postpone indefinitely the period of her permanent settlement.

Mr. Culbertson was first married in Erie County, Aug. 22, 1846 to Mary, daughter of Robert McCord. She was born in Newville, Cumberland Co. PA. In October, same year, they moved to Belvidere, Boone Co IL and in the fall of 1850 Mrs. C. returned to Erie Co PA to spend the winter and there died, Feb. 16, 1851. Mr. Culbertson continued to operate as a contractor and builder. In 1852 he entered employment of Beloit & Madison Railroad corporation as superintendent of construction of buildings and bridges, continuing in that capacity until 1855, when he was appointed to the position of Assistant Superintendent of the more extended railway, the Dixon Air Line, now the Chicago and Northwestern, his chief being George Bassett. His business relations brought him in June, 1855 to Fulton, where he was for some time occupied in constructing several buildings in the railroad interest. In the spring of 1859 he caught the inspiration of the gilded rumors from Pike's Peak, and set thence to push his way to fortune by a more rapid route, and he passed the summers of 1859-60 in mining for gold with reasonable success. On his return in 1861 to Fulton, he formed an association with Dr. Leander Smith, now a banker at Morrison, for the purpose of proscuting the lumber business. In 1862 they purchased the Dement saw mill near Fulton, which they continued to manage several years. Dr. Smith fell into ill health, in 1868 sold his lumber interest to E.P. Wells, now a banker at Clinton Iowa. After the return of Dr. Smith with restored health, he and J.M. Fay bought the half interest of Mr. Wells, the firm style becoming Culbertson, Smith & Co. They continued their joint transactions until 1878, when they suspended active business, and at the date of this writing, 1885, the partnership has not been formally dissolved.

In 1879 Messrs. Culbertson & Fay established a grocery enterprise at Fulton, which they conducted two years with satisfactory results, and closed in the spring of 1882. Since that date Mr. Culbertson has given his attention to financial transactions.

Politically he is a Republican, but has never been aggressive in his political action, and has never sought the emoluments of office. In 1882 he was elected a member of the Board of Trustees of the Northern Illinois College and is still the incumbent of the position.

Oct. 28, 1852 he married Helen M., daughter of Dr. Daniel Reed of Belvidere, IL and they had two children - Carrie J April 23, 1854 the wife of Prof. Carl V. Lauchman, founder of the Conservatory of Music at Minneapolis MN and they have a daughter Helen Reed Aug 30, 1878. Professor Lauchmen was born March 27, 1853 in MO and descended from German parents. He has spent many years in the acquisition of musical knowledge abroad. In 1881 he and his wife, who is an accomplished musician, went to Cologne for the purpose of study, where they spent 18 months. LAter they went to Berlin and thence to Weimar, where they passed a year and a half under the instructions of Lizst. Mrs. Lauchman was a frequent contributor to the musical journals of America during her residence in Germany, and has since been connected with musical literature in her native country. Charles R., the only son of Mr. Culbertson was born March 18, 1857 and is a resident at Fulton.

The mother died at Fulton, Nov. 6, 1857. Nov. 18, 1858 Mr. Culbertson entered into a matrimonial alliance with Mary M., daughter of John Fay, at Westfield, Chautauqua Co NY. She was born there Aug. 21, 1821 and died at Fulton, July 19, 1866. Mr.Culbertson was again married Feb. 8, 1871 at Westfield to Charlotte, daughter of Asa Hall. She was born Sept. 23, 1828 at Westfield and died at Fulton, Sept. 17, 1882.

Fulton has been the field of his operations in business matters for a period of 30 years; and during that time he has maintained his record as a man of probity and unswerving rectitude. He became a convert to the faith of his ancestors in early life, and for 20 years has been an Elder in the Presbyterian Church. Physically he has preserved the erect stature and firm, sound constitution fo the days of his prime. Although he is approaching the limit of years allotted to man, his mental powers are in full vigor, and he manifests in not even the smallest degree the encroachments of time. His eyes exhibit the fire and keeness of early life and his face glows with the ruddy hue of health.

Portrait and Biographical Whiteside Co IL 1885 Pg 541

Illinois - "Our Way"