History of Franklin County, Pennsylvania, 1887



Edmund Culbertson Biography

Edmund Culbertson, M.D., (deceased) was born in Chambersburg, Franklin Co., Penn., January 12, 1812; the eldest son of Dr. Samuel D. Culbertson, who was born in Culbertson's Row, this county, but in early life removed to Chambersburg, where, in 1808, he commenced the practice of medicine.

The father of Edmund desired that the latter should enter the profession in which he had been so successful and, in accordance with this wish our subject attended Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and was graduated therefrom in the spring of 1836. He never considered himself adapted to the profession, and had no special enthusiasm for its theories or practice, although he was a careful and close student during his school term. He however determined to make his best efforts to succeed and, shortly after he obtained his degree, located at Jackson, Miss. There he did not remain more than a year until he concluded to return to a more northerly State, and located at Springfield, Ill., where he spent two years. At the close of that period he returned to Chambersburg.

The elder Dr. Culbertson, although eminently successful in his profession, had partially abandoned it in later years to engage in another occupation, and in 1836 he wholly gave up his practice for the purpose of embarking in the manufacture of straw paper and boards, an industry he carried on for many years, Mr. G A. Shryock, who first introduced this material as a staple article and manufactured it by machinery, being his partner in the outset. In 1843 Edmund entered into partnership with his father, continuing in this business until 1856.

For a time, after retiring from the manufacture of paper, Dr. Culbertson was associated with Col. D.O. Gehr and Mr. William L. Chambers in the grain and commission business, and when this partnership ended he did not again enter into business. In January, 1873, he was chosen president of the national bank of Chambersburg, a position he filled to the satisfaction of its stockholders for a period of ten years. At the time of his death he was a trustee of Falling Spring Church, of which he was a consistent member and a constant attendant; a trustee of Chambersburg Academy, being active in its rebuilding; president of the Franklin County Agricultural Association, and one of the most active directors of the Taylor Manufacturing Company, as well as one of its largest stockholders. He was also closely identified with the success of other local enterprises and improvements.

In 1844 he married Ellen H., daughter of the late Hon. James J. Kennedy. The surviving fruits of this union are two sons and two daughters: Emma C., now Mrs. Chauncey Ives; Samuel D., Nancy P., now Mrs. D.H. Wingerd, and James K. Dr. Culbertson, in 1845, connected himself with Columbus Lodge, No. 75, I.O.O.F., of Chambersburg, and continued one of its most active members until his death, which. occurred March 4, 1883.


Source: Biographical Annals of Franklin County, Pennsylvania : containing genealogical records of representative families, including many of the early settlers, and biographical sketches of prominent citizens; Chicago. Genealogical Pub. Co. 1905. Notes: Prepared in part by George O. Seilhamer.















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