James Culberson was born April 21, 1870 in Skullyville, Indian Territory, what is now Spiro, Oklahoma (LeFlore County), the son of Tushpa (John Culberson) and Lucy McDonald. James' father was a full-blood Choctaw and his mother was a white woman of Texas birth. James was the eldest of three children. He had a brother, Elijah W. Culberson, who lived in Bower, Oklahoma, and a sister, Johnanna, who married J. Pruitt Lee, who farmed in Albany, Oklahoma.
James Culberson graduated from Spencer Academy and received an A.B. degree from the Southwestern Presbyterian University at Clarksville, Tennessee in 1890. He returned to his home in the Choctaw Nation and entered into political life. He was elected county clerk of Sugar Loaf County when he was 22 years old. He was later elected district clerk and served in that office for a term, after which he became attorney general for the Choctaw Nation, filling that office during the time Green McCurtain was principal chief of the nation. During these years Mr. Culberson attended various political conventions held throughout the nations, and when the Sequoyah Convention was called at Muskogee in 1904 to prepare a constitution for separate statehood, he served as member of the convention for the allotment of lands which was held at Atoka.
On August 24, 1897, James married Martha (Mattie) Virginia Harris, who was born December 12, 1872, in Hartford, Arkansas (Sebastian County), daughter of white parents, Matthew Harris (1839-1920) and Elizabeth Cornelius Ligon (1846-1927) who lived in LeFlore, Oklahoma. Martha was a school teacher for some time prior to her marriage. James and Martha had four children: James M. Mary C., John, and Ruth.
The 1900 Federal Census for Townships 5 and 6, Indian Territory (Choctaw Nation) shows James, a Circuit Clerk, age 30, born April 1870 in Indian Territory; and his wife, Mattie, age 27, born December 1872 in Arkansas. James' younger brother, Jacob, age 18, born January 1881 in Indian Territory, was living with them. James and Mattie had been married for three years.
The 1920 Federal Census for Durant Ward 3, Oklahoma (Bryan County) shows James, age 49, a farmer who owned his own farm, born in Oklahoma; and his wife, Martha, age 47, born in Arkansas. Living with them were four children: James Jr., age 18, born in Oklahoma; Mary, age 15, born in Arkansas; John, age 11, born in Oklahoma; and Ruth, age 9, born in Oklahoma.
The 1930 Census for Durant, Oklahoma (Bryan County) shows James, a farmer, age 57, born in Oklahoma; and his wife, Martha, age 55, born in Arkansas Their daughter, Ruth, age 19, a public school teacher, was living with them.
James and his family had membership in the Presbyterian Church. He was a Mason and a democrat in his political faith. In 1904 he moved to Durant and took up his residence, having made his allotment of land in the vicinity at the time of the Government distribution.
Mr. Culberson fluently spoke the Choctaw language, as well as the English language, and he translated various court documents into the English language which are now on file in the Supreme courts of the United States, besides acting as an interpreter at any and all necessary occasions and most especially in court proceedings. He performed this difficult and tedious work conscientiously and with a strict adherence to truth for the benefit of his people. He is enrolled as a half-blood Choctaw as Number A-6722.
James died on March 9, 1943 in Durant, Oklahoma (Bryan County) and was buried there in the Highland Cemetery. Mattie died on July 27, 1951.
Obituary, Durant Weekly News, March 12, 1943
James Culberson, 72-year old Durant resident died at his home at 710 North 8th Avenue, Tuesday. The deceased was born at Scullyville, Indian Territory, now Spiro, Oklahoma on April 21, 1870. Mr. Culberson was an outstanding linguist, and he was an interpreter for the Choctaw Nation for many years. Funeral services will probably be held Sunday, pending arrival of some of the children. Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Martha Culberson, one son, and two daughters.
Obituary, Durant Weekly News, March 12, 1943
James Culberson Dies Suddenly Tuesday Night. James Culberson, 72-year old pioneer resident of Durant, died suddenly at his home 710 North Eight Avenue, at 11 o'clock Tuesday night. He had apparently been in good health just prior to his fatal illness when he was stricken with a heart attack.
Mr. Culberson was born at Skullyville, Indian Territory, now Spiro, Oklahoma, on April 21, 1870. He grew up in that section and when a youngster, enrolled at Spencer Academy. He was graduated at Southwestern Presbyterian College at Clarksville, Tennessee, now at Memphis, the same school at which his son, James Culberson, Jr., graduated later.
Mr. Culberson came to Bryan County in 1905, settling near Albany. He moved to Durant a few years later and had lived here ever since.
An outstanding linguist, Mr. Culberson was interpreter for the Choctaw nation for many years, served as interpreter in both the Indian and white courts, and transcribed many documents from the Choctaw to the English language.
He was secretary for Green McCurtain when the latter was chief of the Choctaws and was prominently associated in the distribution of Indian payments before statehood. At one time he served as Indian district clerk. During his later years, Mr. Culberson was used frequently by the state and federal courts as interpreter when Indians who could not speak English were witnesses. At the time of his death he was a member of the Choctaw council headed by Chief W. A. Durant and president of the Indian Credit Association.
Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Martha Culberson, one son James Culberson, Jr., Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and two daughters, Mrs. Hugh Bringle, Covington, Tennessee, and Mrs. Ruth Coston, Holbrook, Arizona, and one sister, Mrs. Pruitt Lee of Smith-Lee.
James Culberson graduated from Spencer Academy and received an A.B. degree from the Southwestern Presbyterian University at Clarksville, Tennessee in 1890. He returned to his home in the Choctaw Nation and entered into political life. He was elected county clerk of Sugar Loaf County when he was 22 years old. He was later elected district clerk and served in that office for a term, after which he became attorney general for the Choctaw Nation, filling that office during the time Green McCurtain was principal chief of the nation. During these years Mr. Culberson attended various political conventions held throughout the nations, and when the Sequoyah Convention was called at Muskogee in 1904 to prepare a constitution for separate statehood, he served as member of the convention for the allotment of lands which was held at Atoka.
On August 24, 1897, James married Martha (Mattie) Virginia Harris, who was born December 12, 1872, in Hartford, Arkansas (Sebastian County), daughter of white parents, Matthew Harris (1839-1920) and Elizabeth Cornelius Ligon (1846-1927) who lived in LeFlore, Oklahoma. Martha was a school teacher for some time prior to her marriage. James and Martha had four children: James M. Mary C., John, and Ruth.
The 1900 Federal Census for Townships 5 and 6, Indian Territory (Choctaw Nation) shows James, a Circuit Clerk, age 30, born April 1870 in Indian Territory; and his wife, Mattie, age 27, born December 1872 in Arkansas. James' younger brother, Jacob, age 18, born January 1881 in Indian Territory, was living with them. James and Mattie had been married for three years.
The 1920 Federal Census for Durant Ward 3, Oklahoma (Bryan County) shows James, age 49, a farmer who owned his own farm, born in Oklahoma; and his wife, Martha, age 47, born in Arkansas. Living with them were four children: James Jr., age 18, born in Oklahoma; Mary, age 15, born in Arkansas; John, age 11, born in Oklahoma; and Ruth, age 9, born in Oklahoma.
The 1930 Census for Durant, Oklahoma (Bryan County) shows James, a farmer, age 57, born in Oklahoma; and his wife, Martha, age 55, born in Arkansas Their daughter, Ruth, age 19, a public school teacher, was living with them.
James and his family had membership in the Presbyterian Church. He was a Mason and a democrat in his political faith. In 1904 he moved to Durant and took up his residence, having made his allotment of land in the vicinity at the time of the Government distribution.
Mr. Culberson fluently spoke the Choctaw language, as well as the English language, and he translated various court documents into the English language which are now on file in the Supreme courts of the United States, besides acting as an interpreter at any and all necessary occasions and most especially in court proceedings. He performed this difficult and tedious work conscientiously and with a strict adherence to truth for the benefit of his people. He is enrolled as a half-blood Choctaw as Number A-6722.
James died on March 9, 1943 in Durant, Oklahoma (Bryan County) and was buried there in the Highland Cemetery. Mattie died on July 27, 1951.
Obituary, Durant Weekly News, March 12, 1943
James Culberson, 72-year old Durant resident died at his home at 710 North 8th Avenue, Tuesday. The deceased was born at Scullyville, Indian Territory, now Spiro, Oklahoma on April 21, 1870. Mr. Culberson was an outstanding linguist, and he was an interpreter for the Choctaw Nation for many years. Funeral services will probably be held Sunday, pending arrival of some of the children. Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Martha Culberson, one son, and two daughters.
Obituary, Durant Weekly News, March 12, 1943
James Culberson Dies Suddenly Tuesday Night. James Culberson, 72-year old pioneer resident of Durant, died suddenly at his home 710 North Eight Avenue, at 11 o'clock Tuesday night. He had apparently been in good health just prior to his fatal illness when he was stricken with a heart attack.
Mr. Culberson was born at Skullyville, Indian Territory, now Spiro, Oklahoma, on April 21, 1870. He grew up in that section and when a youngster, enrolled at Spencer Academy. He was graduated at Southwestern Presbyterian College at Clarksville, Tennessee, now at Memphis, the same school at which his son, James Culberson, Jr., graduated later.
Mr. Culberson came to Bryan County in 1905, settling near Albany. He moved to Durant a few years later and had lived here ever since.
An outstanding linguist, Mr. Culberson was interpreter for the Choctaw nation for many years, served as interpreter in both the Indian and white courts, and transcribed many documents from the Choctaw to the English language.
He was secretary for Green McCurtain when the latter was chief of the Choctaws and was prominently associated in the distribution of Indian payments before statehood. At one time he served as Indian district clerk. During his later years, Mr. Culberson was used frequently by the state and federal courts as interpreter when Indians who could not speak English were witnesses. At the time of his death he was a member of the Choctaw council headed by Chief W. A. Durant and president of the Indian Credit Association.
Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Martha Culberson, one son James Culberson, Jr., Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and two daughters, Mrs. Hugh Bringle, Covington, Tennessee, and Mrs. Ruth Coston, Holbrook, Arizona, and one sister, Mrs. Pruitt Lee of Smith-Lee.
James Culberson was born April 21, 1870 in Skullyville, Indian Territory, what is now Spiro, Oklahoma (LeFlore County), the son of Tushpa (John Culberson) and Lucy McDonald. James' father was a full-blood Choctaw and his mother was a white woman of Texas birth. James was the eldest of three children. He had a brother, Elijah W. Culberson, who lived in Bower, Oklahoma, and a sister, Johnanna, who married J. Pruitt Lee, who farmed in Albany, Oklahoma.
James Culberson graduated from Spencer Academy and received an A.B. degree from the Southwestern Presbyterian University at Clarksville, Tennessee in 1890. He returned to his home in the Choctaw Nation and entered into political life. He was elected county clerk of Sugar Loaf County when he was 22 years old. He was later elected district clerk and served in that office for a term, after which he became attorney general for the Choctaw Nation, filling that office during the time Green McCurtain was principal chief of the nation. During these years Mr. Culberson attended various political conventions held throughout the nations, and when the Sequoyah Convention was called at Muskogee in 1904 to prepare a constitution for separate statehood, he served as member of the convention for the allotment of lands which was held at Atoka.
On August 24, 1897, James married Martha (Mattie) Virginia Harris, who was born December 12, 1872, in Hartford, Arkansas (Sebastian County), daughter of white parents, Matthew Harris (1839-1920) and Elizabeth Cornelius Ligon (1846-1927) who lived in LeFlore, Oklahoma. Martha was a school teacher for some time prior to her marriage. James and Martha had four children: James M. Mary C., John, and Ruth.
The 1900 Federal Census for Townships 5 and 6, Indian Territory (Choctaw Nation) shows James, a Circuit Clerk, age 30, born April 1870 in Indian Territory; and his wife, Mattie, age 27, born December 1872 in Arkansas. James' younger brother, Jacob, age 18, born January 1881 in Indian Territory, was living with them. James and Mattie had been married for three years.
The 1920 Federal Census for Durant Ward 3, Oklahoma (Bryan County) shows James, age 49, a farmer who owned his own farm, born in Oklahoma; and his wife, Martha, age 47, born in Arkansas. Living with them were four children: James Jr., age 18, born in Oklahoma; Mary, age 15, born in Arkansas; John, age 11, born in Oklahoma; and Ruth, age 9, born in Oklahoma.
The 1930 Census for Durant, Oklahoma (Bryan County) shows James, a farmer, age 57, born in Oklahoma; and his wife, Martha, age 55, born in Arkansas Their daughter, Ruth, age 19, a public school teacher, was living with them.
James and his family had membership in the Presbyterian Church. He was a Mason and a democrat in his political faith. In 1904 he moved to Durant and took up his residence, having made his allotment of land in the vicinity at the time of the Government distribution.
Mr. Culberson fluently spoke the Choctaw language, as well as the English language, and he translated various court documents into the English language which are now on file in the Supreme courts of the United States, besides acting as an interpreter at any and all necessary occasions and most especially in court proceedings. He performed this difficult and tedious work conscientiously and with a strict adherence to truth for the benefit of his people. He is enrolled as a half-blood Choctaw as Number A-6722.
James died on March 9, 1943 in Durant, Oklahoma (Bryan County) and was buried there in the Highland Cemetery. Mattie died on July 27, 1951.
Obituary, Durant Weekly News, March 12, 1943
James Culberson, 72-year old Durant resident died at his home at 710 North 8th Avenue, Tuesday. The deceased was born at Scullyville, Indian Territory, now Spiro, Oklahoma on April 21, 1870. Mr. Culberson was an outstanding linguist, and he was an interpreter for the Choctaw Nation for many years. Funeral services will probably be held Sunday, pending arrival of some of the children. Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Martha Culberson, one son, and two daughters.
Obituary, Durant Weekly News, March 12, 1943
James Culberson Dies Suddenly Tuesday Night. James Culberson, 72-year old pioneer resident of Durant, died suddenly at his home 710 North Eight Avenue, at 11 o'clock Tuesday night. He had apparently been in good health just prior to his fatal illness when he was stricken with a heart attack.
Mr. Culberson was born at Skullyville, Indian Territory, now Spiro, Oklahoma, on April 21, 1870. He grew up in that section and when a youngster, enrolled at Spencer Academy. He was graduated at Southwestern Presbyterian College at Clarksville, Tennessee, now at Memphis, the same school at which his son, James Culberson, Jr., graduated later.
Mr. Culberson came to Bryan County in 1905, settling near Albany. He moved to Durant a few years later and had lived here ever since.
An outstanding linguist, Mr. Culberson was interpreter for the Choctaw nation for many years, served as interpreter in both the Indian and white courts, and transcribed many documents from the Choctaw to the English language.
He was secretary for Green McCurtain when the latter was chief of the Choctaws and was prominently associated in the distribution of Indian payments before statehood. At one time he served as Indian district clerk. During his later years, Mr. Culberson was used frequently by the state and federal courts as interpreter when Indians who could not speak English were witnesses. At the time of his death he was a member of the Choctaw council headed by Chief W. A. Durant and president of the Indian Credit Association.
Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Martha Culberson, one son James Culberson, Jr., Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and two daughters, Mrs. Hugh Bringle, Covington, Tennessee, and Mrs. Ruth Coston, Holbrook, Arizona, and one sister, Mrs. Pruitt Lee of Smith-Lee.
James Culberson graduated from Spencer Academy and received an A.B. degree from the Southwestern Presbyterian University at Clarksville, Tennessee in 1890. He returned to his home in the Choctaw Nation and entered into political life. He was elected county clerk of Sugar Loaf County when he was 22 years old. He was later elected district clerk and served in that office for a term, after which he became attorney general for the Choctaw Nation, filling that office during the time Green McCurtain was principal chief of the nation. During these years Mr. Culberson attended various political conventions held throughout the nations, and when the Sequoyah Convention was called at Muskogee in 1904 to prepare a constitution for separate statehood, he served as member of the convention for the allotment of lands which was held at Atoka.
On August 24, 1897, James married Martha (Mattie) Virginia Harris, who was born December 12, 1872, in Hartford, Arkansas (Sebastian County), daughter of white parents, Matthew Harris (1839-1920) and Elizabeth Cornelius Ligon (1846-1927) who lived in LeFlore, Oklahoma. Martha was a school teacher for some time prior to her marriage. James and Martha had four children: James M. Mary C., John, and Ruth.
The 1900 Federal Census for Townships 5 and 6, Indian Territory (Choctaw Nation) shows James, a Circuit Clerk, age 30, born April 1870 in Indian Territory; and his wife, Mattie, age 27, born December 1872 in Arkansas. James' younger brother, Jacob, age 18, born January 1881 in Indian Territory, was living with them. James and Mattie had been married for three years.
The 1920 Federal Census for Durant Ward 3, Oklahoma (Bryan County) shows James, age 49, a farmer who owned his own farm, born in Oklahoma; and his wife, Martha, age 47, born in Arkansas. Living with them were four children: James Jr., age 18, born in Oklahoma; Mary, age 15, born in Arkansas; John, age 11, born in Oklahoma; and Ruth, age 9, born in Oklahoma.
The 1930 Census for Durant, Oklahoma (Bryan County) shows James, a farmer, age 57, born in Oklahoma; and his wife, Martha, age 55, born in Arkansas Their daughter, Ruth, age 19, a public school teacher, was living with them.
James and his family had membership in the Presbyterian Church. He was a Mason and a democrat in his political faith. In 1904 he moved to Durant and took up his residence, having made his allotment of land in the vicinity at the time of the Government distribution.
Mr. Culberson fluently spoke the Choctaw language, as well as the English language, and he translated various court documents into the English language which are now on file in the Supreme courts of the United States, besides acting as an interpreter at any and all necessary occasions and most especially in court proceedings. He performed this difficult and tedious work conscientiously and with a strict adherence to truth for the benefit of his people. He is enrolled as a half-blood Choctaw as Number A-6722.
James died on March 9, 1943 in Durant, Oklahoma (Bryan County) and was buried there in the Highland Cemetery. Mattie died on July 27, 1951.
Obituary, Durant Weekly News, March 12, 1943
James Culberson, 72-year old Durant resident died at his home at 710 North 8th Avenue, Tuesday. The deceased was born at Scullyville, Indian Territory, now Spiro, Oklahoma on April 21, 1870. Mr. Culberson was an outstanding linguist, and he was an interpreter for the Choctaw Nation for many years. Funeral services will probably be held Sunday, pending arrival of some of the children. Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Martha Culberson, one son, and two daughters.
Obituary, Durant Weekly News, March 12, 1943
James Culberson Dies Suddenly Tuesday Night. James Culberson, 72-year old pioneer resident of Durant, died suddenly at his home 710 North Eight Avenue, at 11 o'clock Tuesday night. He had apparently been in good health just prior to his fatal illness when he was stricken with a heart attack.
Mr. Culberson was born at Skullyville, Indian Territory, now Spiro, Oklahoma, on April 21, 1870. He grew up in that section and when a youngster, enrolled at Spencer Academy. He was graduated at Southwestern Presbyterian College at Clarksville, Tennessee, now at Memphis, the same school at which his son, James Culberson, Jr., graduated later.
Mr. Culberson came to Bryan County in 1905, settling near Albany. He moved to Durant a few years later and had lived here ever since.
An outstanding linguist, Mr. Culberson was interpreter for the Choctaw nation for many years, served as interpreter in both the Indian and white courts, and transcribed many documents from the Choctaw to the English language.
He was secretary for Green McCurtain when the latter was chief of the Choctaws and was prominently associated in the distribution of Indian payments before statehood. At one time he served as Indian district clerk. During his later years, Mr. Culberson was used frequently by the state and federal courts as interpreter when Indians who could not speak English were witnesses. At the time of his death he was a member of the Choctaw council headed by Chief W. A. Durant and president of the Indian Credit Association.
Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Martha Culberson, one son James Culberson, Jr., Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and two daughters, Mrs. Hugh Bringle, Covington, Tennessee, and Mrs. Ruth Coston, Holbrook, Arizona, and one sister, Mrs. Pruitt Lee of Smith-Lee.
