David B. Culberson

David Browning Culberson (September 29, 1830 – May 7, 1900) was a Confederate soldier, a Democratic U.S. Representative from Texas and Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.

Culberson was born in Troup County, Georgia, on September 29, 1830, the son of David B. and Lucy (Wilkerson) Culberson. After leaving Brownwood Institute in La Grange, Georgia, he read law at Tuskegee, Alabama, in the school of William P. Chilton, Chief Justice of Alabama. He was admitted to the bar in 1850 and began practice in Dadeville, Alabama. In 1856, he moved to Texas and settled in Upshur County, where he practiced law in partnership with Gen. Hinche P. Mabry until 1861, when he moved to nearby Jefferson, Texas. On December 8, 1852, he married Eugenia Kimball; they had two sons, one of whom, Charles A. Culberson, became Governor of Texas and later U.S. Senator. Culberson was a Mason and an Odd Fellow.

Culberson was a member of the Texas Legislature from Upshur County during the 1859-60 session. Because Culberson opposed secession and his district favored it, he resigned his legislative seat. Despite his views on secession, when Texas did secede, Culberson raised the 18th Texas Infantry, and he became its commander with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. The 18th Infantry saw combat at Vicksburg in 1862-63, but Culberson's health deteriorated and he was assigned to Austin as Texas Adjutant General. In 1864, he was elected to the legislature from Cass, Titus, and Bowie counties and resigned his military position to rejoin the legislature.

...
Wikipedia