David Browning Culberson was born in Troupe County, Georgia, Sept. 24th,
1830; was educated at Brownwood, La., and Grange, Ca., and studied law
under Chief Justice Chilton of Alabama.
He was married to Miss Eugenia Kimball, a lady of sterling character and
brilliant mind. It was to her influence and encouragement that he owed a
large measure of his success. To this union three children were born,
Charles A., the oldest, was one year old when the family moved to Texas
in 1856. Robert Owen and a daughter, Anna, were born in Texas. Robert
Owen is the only surviving one. He now resides in Houston, Texas.
The Culberson family—Jim Culberson, a brother with his family and Dr. R.
L. Rowell and family, and others and a large company of slaves came to
Texas in covered wagons.
Dr. Rowell located in Jefferson but the Culberson brothers moved to
Gilmer, Texas, where they practiced law for two years, then came to
Jefferson to make their home.
Col. D. B. Culberson was elected to the State Legislature in 1859, was
elected again in 1864. He was then elected to the Forty-fourth Congress
and served continuously until his death.
From a private in the Confederate Army he was promoted to the rank of
Colonel of the 18th Texas Infantry, was assigned to duty in 1864 as
Adjutant-General, with rank of Colonel.
Although a nationally known lawyer of shrewd and brilliant mind he
remained always unassuming almost careless in his dress. In manner he
was shy and retiring.
He spoke so seldom in Congress that he was known as “The Silent Member.”
His brilliant mind, sterling qualities of character won for him the
title of “Honest Dave.” He was one of the lawyers in the famous Diomond
Bessie-Rothchild case.
The Rev. D. B. Culberson, Sr., the father of Col. Culberson, was one of
the early pastors of the First Baptist Church of Jefferson.