David B. Culberson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
David B. Culberson
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| Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus | |
| In office March 4, 1895 – March 3, 1897 |
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| Speaker | Thomas Brackett Reed |
| Preceded by | William S. Holman |
| Succeeded by | James D. Richardson |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas |
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| In office March 4, 1875 – March 3, 1897 |
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| Preceded by | William P. McLean |
| Succeeded by | John W. Cranford |
| Constituency | 2nd district (1875–83) 4th district (1883–97) |
| Member of the Texas Senate | |
| In office 1873 – 1874 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | September 29, 1830 Troup County, Georgia, U.S. |
| Died | May 7, 1900 (aged 69) Jefferson, Texas, U.S. |
| Resting place | Jefferson, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | Brownwood Institute |
| Profession | Lawyer, Politician |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Confederate States of America |
| Branch/service |  Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1864 |
| Rank |  Lieutenant Colonel |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
David Browning Culberson (September 29, 1830 – May 7, 1900) was an important American politician and soldier. He served as a Confederate officer during the American Civil War. Later, he became a Democratic U.S. Representative for Texas. He also led the House Judiciary Committee, which handles laws and justice.
Contents
Growing Up and Becoming a Lawyer
David B. Culberson was born in Troup County, Georgia, on September 29, 1830. His parents were David B. and Lucy Culberson. He went to Brownwood Institute in LaGrange, Georgia. After school, he studied law in Tuskegee, Alabama. He learned from William P. Chilton, who was a top judge in Alabama.
In 1850, David became a lawyer. He started his law practice in Dadeville, Alabama. In 1856, he moved to Texas. He settled in Upshur County and worked as a lawyer there. In 1861, he moved to nearby Jefferson, Texas. On December 8, 1852, he married Eugenia Kimball. They had two sons. One of their sons, Charles A. Culberson, later became the Governor of Texas and a U.S. Senator. David Culberson was also a member of groups like the Masons and Odd Fellows.
Public Service and Military Role
Serving in the Texas Legislature
David Culberson started his political career in the Texas Legislature. He represented Upshur County from 1859 to 1860. At that time, there was a big debate about states leaving the United States (secession). Culberson did not agree with secession. However, his local district supported it. Because of this difference, he decided to resign from his legislative seat.
Joining the Civil War Effort
Even though he didn't support secession, when Texas joined the Confederacy, Culberson decided to serve. He helped form a military unit called the 18th Texas Infantry. He became its leader, with the rank of lieutenant colonel. His unit fought in important battles, including at Vicksburg in 1862-1863.
However, Culberson's health became poor. He was then assigned to a different role in Austin. He became the Adjutant General of Texas, which meant he helped manage the state's military affairs. In 1864, he was elected to the legislature again. He represented Cass, Titus, and Bowie counties. He resigned his military job to return to the legislature.
Legal Work and Presidential Election
As a well-known lawyer in Jefferson, he took on important cases. He helped defend people in several legal situations. For example, he helped a young man named William Jesse McDonald who was accused of a serious crime. McDonald later became a famous Texas Ranger.
Culberson was also involved in national politics. He attended the Democratic state meeting in 1868. In the 1872 United States presidential election, he was chosen to be a presidential elector. He was supposed to vote for Horace Greeley. However, Greeley passed away before the votes were officially cast. So, Culberson ended up voting for Benjamin Gratz Brown.
Becoming a U.S. Congressman
In 1873, Culberson was elected to the State Senate. He represented Marion, Cass, and Bowie Counties. The next year, in 1874, he decided to run for the U.S. Congress. He won the election for the 2nd District of Texas. He then resigned from his State Senate seat to go to Washington, D.C.
Serving in Congress
David Culberson served in the United States House of Representatives from 1875 to 1897. During his time in Congress, he supported certain policies. He was in favor of prohibition, which aimed to ban alcohol. He also believed that the federal government should not interfere too much in state governments.
In 1876, he supported getting rid of the Specie Payment Resumption Act. This act had to do with how money was backed by gold. In 1888, he introduced new laws to control large businesses. These laws were called antitrust legislation. They aimed to prevent monopolies and promote fair competition.
Culberson represented two different districts during his time in Congress. First, he represented the 2nd district, and later the 4th district. He also became the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. This is a very important role, as the committee handles laws related to the justice system.
Even though he supported some ideas that were popular with common people, Culberson spoke out against the Populist Party. This party was very strong in Texas in the 1890s. Culberson believed that the Populist Party was causing divisions in state politics.
Later Life
After his long career in Congress, President William McKinley appointed David Culberson to a special job. On June 21, 1897, he became one of the commissioners. Their task was to organize and update all the laws of the United States. He worked on this important project until he passed away. David Culberson died in Jefferson, Texas, on May 7, 1900. He was buried there.
