This is a newspaper article that was written in the Greeley Tribune in Greeley, Colorado April 12, 1976.
ELDERLY COUPLE AMAZINGLY INTERESTED IN LIFE
Amazing, absolutely amazing! The Culler couple is "something else" She is 89; he is 98. They care for themselves, keep up a big house, neat as a pin, do their own shopping, and banking.
And if they both live until June 16, they will celebrate their 67th wedding anniversary. " That's a long time to with one man," remarked Mrs Culler. Ed Culler, himself wondered why they were having their picture taken - they didn't even get that on their wedding day!
Photographers were scarce back in 1909. The wedding took place at La Salle where she was reared. Charles Gervan, Mrs Culler's father, had purchased the farm on which they lived. But there's a story to that. It had been a homestead claimed by a Mr. French. It seems this Mr. French had to leave the homestead frequently so a Mr. Woodbury jumped his claim. This was far from appreciated by Mr. French so he proceeded to shoot and kill Mr. Woodbury. In retaliation, the citizens took the law into their own hands and hanged Mr. French. " They hung French in the courthouse and let him hang 'till noon the next day," was Mrs Culler's recollection. " Now my nephew, also named Charles Girvan, lives on this farm southeast of La Salle.
It was on this farm Mrs Culler was reared. She attended the Beebee Draw School through the eighth grade. " I planned to train for a nurse, but I got married to Ed Culler instead.
Ed Culler was reared in Louisville, Ohio. He had contracted asthma so for reasons of health came to Colorado in 1906. He was a jeweler and had his first shop in Evans. He then moved to La Salle where he inspected watches for conductors on the Union Pacific (and Julesburg) Railroad.
The couple had three sons. One of the boys had asthma so bad they decided to move to the higher country and took him to Craig, about 240 miles west of here.
They stayed there until it was time for the boys to get into high school, so they made the move to Fort Collins. All three boys were graduated as engineers from Colorado State University with the exception of the youngest, Kenneth, who after three years at CSU joined the U.S. Marines. Later he went with United Airlines. Charles was with Boeing Aircraft 29 years, and Maurice, 27 years. All were mechanically inclined.
Thirty - one years ago the Culler purchased their present home in the college area of Greeley and have lived there since. She used to keep students, mostly girls and they often did their own cookery and light housekeeping.
They have given this up now, but do their own cookery and housekeeping. He gets around quite well, uses a cane, but even helps his wife with the dishes. " We always work to keep away from going into a nursing home. That's what we don't want! " She expressed herself vehemently.
Becoming retrospective, she reflected on the many friends they had, and how often they would drop in for supper and an evening of television. We were one of the first to have TV and the neighbors would come in and " watch the fights. " Apparently boxing and wrestling were highlights of the evening.+
" But they're all gone now. Not many our age left. And it's hard to make new friends when you're old, " she confided.
Ed is vitally interested in political affairs. listens to the news on television. " Can you tell me where this country is headed? " he asked.
The couple's current needs are companionships more than anything else. None of their sons reside in Greeley. All are married and to wonderful girls, according to their mother. " When my daughters-in-law come, they just take over, Its wonderful! I think pop's getting tired of my cooking."
But they count their blessings. " We've never had any sickness, no broken bones. Never even had anyone of the family in jail or anything like that! " She continued, " And my boys were good boys. We never told them " you can't, you can't, you can't do this or that. They're just that way, good kids."
" This house is pretty gib, and I wouldn't mind going into something smaller, an apartment, maybe, but I need room for the boys and their families when they come home. I can't bear to think of going into one room, furnished with a bed and wheelchair! "
We commented on a beautiful coffee table set with polished rocks. Mrs Culler explained " When I married Mr. Culler we took a homestead. These rocks came off that homestead. After my father died we lived on the home place for a time, but after a year, Ed went back to fixing watches."
When asked about longevity, possible contributing factors, Culler said " You wouldn't want to get this old! " And she had this to say, " I'm a worrier, the biggest worrier there ever was, a chronic worrier - and I haven't even caught up on my worrying. It's a wonder I'm still alive. I admire people who don't give a hang about anything."
They love Greeley, recall when there wasn't too much to it, like 31 years ago. And he keeps listening to the news, even though he thinks things don't look good. She too, has her TV program she's interested in, but doesn't let the soap operas take over.
Again, amazing is the word their faculties and alert interest in life and their exceptional claim to health.
The following came from some notes that Anna (Culler) Kelley, granddaughter Ruby Giffin wrote. Anna was a sister to Edwin Culler.
Ed and his boys were great hunters. They had a cabin in the mountains for years. They sent us so many pictures of them at their cabin, and the "game" they brought home. Aunt Gerty was with them, most of the time. She was quite a lady.
This is a story from a old newspaper article titled "A Fish Story"
Dr. Raw and R. Pattison laid aside the cares of professional and shop duties last Friday afternoon and took a trial at fishing. They had no idea of going fishing till they saw Ed Culler come in with a nice little catch, which he said he had hooked that afternoon in a little stream east of town, but probably were some that he purchased from some little boy who understands the art. But, then, perhaps he did hook them--from a string upon which some angler had fastened his catch.
Anyway, the sight of the fish, and the tale told by Ed Culler, of how easy it was done, created a desire in the bosoms of the two aforesaid gentlemen, to possess a few of the members of the finny tribe.
It did not take them long to lay their plans; Doc. Was to go and hitch up his team while Pat. Dug the bait. The anticipation of an afternoon sport with the hook and line, frustrated the doctor, and it took him about twice the time to get the team ready as it would if it had been for a hurry-up call in the country. Pat. Was more successful. He was digging for dear life and the worms were accumulating rapidly, and when Doc. Drove up, he had enough to fill two large tomato cans. They sorted out what they concluded would be sufficient and dug a hole in the ground and placed the remaining worms therein for future use. It was a happy looking pair that drove out of town that afternoon. They resembled very much two school boys who had just been let out for the summer vacation.
Arriving at the stream it did not take them long to bait their hooks and cast them into the stream, the bites were numerous enough--especially the mosquito bites, but the big fish refused to be caught. They waited patiently, and after a long time were compelled to leave with a very meager supply. They arrived home after dark with but six small fish between the two. Evidently they did not take the right kind of bait, of Ed did not explain the matter fully as to how he "hooked" his fish.
Edwin Culler wrote this letter to his great-niece, Miriam Cable, on January 26, 1970.
Dear Relative---I will try to answer some things you asked for. I am nearly blind and have hard time to read your letter. I left Ohio in 1901. Stopped off at Syracuse, Indiana for a few days. And stayed at Sam Culler place. Also went to your house. (Which was his brother Jacob's house.) I remember the two girls they had. Sam Culler had two boys, Clem and Frank. They were living on Uncle Jake's farm about a mile out of town. Mother had two brothers living there, Jake and John Kern, and two sisters, Katy Kern and Christine Rapp, also Frank and Willie Rapp. Jake had just got back from riding in with a new Olds auto. And I had my first auto ride in it. It was quite a joke. He had a lot of fun herding the cows home from the pasture. I cut me a cane down by some little creek. It was sassafras and grape vines twined around it. It looked more like a snake than a cane. I carved my name and date on it on the 17th of March. I still have it.
My father never allowed anyone to take a picture of him and no one ever did. I have a snap shot of mother that Florence Chenot took. Aunt Katy had a tin-type picture of her when she was a young girl. Very nice looking.
I did not know that John Culler (Ed's grandfather) had ten children. I knew he had two brothers in Ohio and two of them in Missouri and one, Ben, in Syracuse, and sister Betsy in Ohio. When we lived in Fort Collins, Colorado, I visited Ana, Ed and Charles Culler who lived there. I tried to find out who they were and they didn't know where they came from or who they were. I always thought they came from the two brothers in Missouri. Cal Kelly, Anna's son, died last June. Think he was the last of the Kelly family.
I met my wife Gertrude E. Girvan in Evans, Colorado. We were married June 16, 1909. Her mother came from England and father from Scotland. Gertrude was born at Manhattan, Kansas on March 17, 1887. We have three sons, Charles, born in LaSalle, Colorado on August 17, 1910. One of the head mechanics of the Boeing plant in Seattle for 28 years. He helped design the 707 and now is working on the big plane 747 which carries up to 500 people and a lot of freight. I had been telling him it would never get off the ground, but it is now flying O.K. Charles married, and they have a boy and girl adopted. Both married. Charles lives at 2160 114 Street SW, Seattle, Washington.
Maurice Culler was born at LaSalle, Colorado, April 30, 1911. Also lives. Been working for Boeing but now bought a ranch in Hotchkiss (near Grand Junction) and just moved on it. They have two girls, both married and have 4 grandchildren. Ken Culler, born in Ft. Collins, October 25, 1930. He was in the Marines 6 years and then worked for the United Air lines in California for ten years. Got tired of that and now moved to Missouri, where he is running a hog ranch. Got married last April to a very nice girl. We now have three of the nicest daughters-in-law anyone could wish for. Their address is Verona (southwest of Springfield, Missouri), R. 1, Box 124, Missouri. I think this is about all I can tell you. Hope you can read this as I can't see very good and have been away from most of the family for 70 years. So I can't tell you much about them. We are still able to keep the home fires burning and take care of ourselves. Hoping this finds you now O.K. If you ever come west again stop and see us. Good luck. Ed Culler, "the last one of the clan."
ELDERLY COUPLE AMAZINGLY INTERESTED IN LIFE
Amazing, absolutely amazing! The Culler couple is "something else" She is 89; he is 98. They care for themselves, keep up a big house, neat as a pin, do their own shopping, and banking.
And if they both live until June 16, they will celebrate their 67th wedding anniversary. " That's a long time to with one man," remarked Mrs Culler. Ed Culler, himself wondered why they were having their picture taken - they didn't even get that on their wedding day!
Photographers were scarce back in 1909. The wedding took place at La Salle where she was reared. Charles Gervan, Mrs Culler's father, had purchased the farm on which they lived. But there's a story to that. It had been a homestead claimed by a Mr. French. It seems this Mr. French had to leave the homestead frequently so a Mr. Woodbury jumped his claim. This was far from appreciated by Mr. French so he proceeded to shoot and kill Mr. Woodbury. In retaliation, the citizens took the law into their own hands and hanged Mr. French. " They hung French in the courthouse and let him hang 'till noon the next day," was Mrs Culler's recollection. " Now my nephew, also named Charles Girvan, lives on this farm southeast of La Salle.
It was on this farm Mrs Culler was reared. She attended the Beebee Draw School through the eighth grade. " I planned to train for a nurse, but I got married to Ed Culler instead.
Ed Culler was reared in Louisville, Ohio. He had contracted asthma so for reasons of health came to Colorado in 1906. He was a jeweler and had his first shop in Evans. He then moved to La Salle where he inspected watches for conductors on the Union Pacific (and Julesburg) Railroad.
The couple had three sons. One of the boys had asthma so bad they decided to move to the higher country and took him to Craig, about 240 miles west of here.
They stayed there until it was time for the boys to get into high school, so they made the move to Fort Collins. All three boys were graduated as engineers from Colorado State University with the exception of the youngest, Kenneth, who after three years at CSU joined the U.S. Marines. Later he went with United Airlines. Charles was with Boeing Aircraft 29 years, and Maurice, 27 years. All were mechanically inclined.
Thirty - one years ago the Culler purchased their present home in the college area of Greeley and have lived there since. She used to keep students, mostly girls and they often did their own cookery and light housekeeping.
They have given this up now, but do their own cookery and housekeeping. He gets around quite well, uses a cane, but even helps his wife with the dishes. " We always work to keep away from going into a nursing home. That's what we don't want! " She expressed herself vehemently.
Becoming retrospective, she reflected on the many friends they had, and how often they would drop in for supper and an evening of television. We were one of the first to have TV and the neighbors would come in and " watch the fights. " Apparently boxing and wrestling were highlights of the evening.+
" But they're all gone now. Not many our age left. And it's hard to make new friends when you're old, " she confided.
Ed is vitally interested in political affairs. listens to the news on television. " Can you tell me where this country is headed? " he asked.
The couple's current needs are companionships more than anything else. None of their sons reside in Greeley. All are married and to wonderful girls, according to their mother. " When my daughters-in-law come, they just take over, Its wonderful! I think pop's getting tired of my cooking."
But they count their blessings. " We've never had any sickness, no broken bones. Never even had anyone of the family in jail or anything like that! " She continued, " And my boys were good boys. We never told them " you can't, you can't, you can't do this or that. They're just that way, good kids."
" This house is pretty gib, and I wouldn't mind going into something smaller, an apartment, maybe, but I need room for the boys and their families when they come home. I can't bear to think of going into one room, furnished with a bed and wheelchair! "
We commented on a beautiful coffee table set with polished rocks. Mrs Culler explained " When I married Mr. Culler we took a homestead. These rocks came off that homestead. After my father died we lived on the home place for a time, but after a year, Ed went back to fixing watches."
When asked about longevity, possible contributing factors, Culler said " You wouldn't want to get this old! " And she had this to say, " I'm a worrier, the biggest worrier there ever was, a chronic worrier - and I haven't even caught up on my worrying. It's a wonder I'm still alive. I admire people who don't give a hang about anything."
They love Greeley, recall when there wasn't too much to it, like 31 years ago. And he keeps listening to the news, even though he thinks things don't look good. She too, has her TV program she's interested in, but doesn't let the soap operas take over.
Again, amazing is the word their faculties and alert interest in life and their exceptional claim to health.
The following came from some notes that Anna (Culler) Kelley, granddaughter Ruby Giffin wrote. Anna was a sister to Edwin Culler.
Ed and his boys were great hunters. They had a cabin in the mountains for years. They sent us so many pictures of them at their cabin, and the "game" they brought home. Aunt Gerty was with them, most of the time. She was quite a lady.
This is a story from a old newspaper article titled "A Fish Story"
Dr. Raw and R. Pattison laid aside the cares of professional and shop duties last Friday afternoon and took a trial at fishing. They had no idea of going fishing till they saw Ed Culler come in with a nice little catch, which he said he had hooked that afternoon in a little stream east of town, but probably were some that he purchased from some little boy who understands the art. But, then, perhaps he did hook them--from a string upon which some angler had fastened his catch.
Anyway, the sight of the fish, and the tale told by Ed Culler, of how easy it was done, created a desire in the bosoms of the two aforesaid gentlemen, to possess a few of the members of the finny tribe.
It did not take them long to lay their plans; Doc. Was to go and hitch up his team while Pat. Dug the bait. The anticipation of an afternoon sport with the hook and line, frustrated the doctor, and it took him about twice the time to get the team ready as it would if it had been for a hurry-up call in the country. Pat. Was more successful. He was digging for dear life and the worms were accumulating rapidly, and when Doc. Drove up, he had enough to fill two large tomato cans. They sorted out what they concluded would be sufficient and dug a hole in the ground and placed the remaining worms therein for future use. It was a happy looking pair that drove out of town that afternoon. They resembled very much two school boys who had just been let out for the summer vacation.
Arriving at the stream it did not take them long to bait their hooks and cast them into the stream, the bites were numerous enough--especially the mosquito bites, but the big fish refused to be caught. They waited patiently, and after a long time were compelled to leave with a very meager supply. They arrived home after dark with but six small fish between the two. Evidently they did not take the right kind of bait, of Ed did not explain the matter fully as to how he "hooked" his fish.
Edwin Culler wrote this letter to his great-niece, Miriam Cable, on January 26, 1970.
Dear Relative---I will try to answer some things you asked for. I am nearly blind and have hard time to read your letter. I left Ohio in 1901. Stopped off at Syracuse, Indiana for a few days. And stayed at Sam Culler place. Also went to your house. (Which was his brother Jacob's house.) I remember the two girls they had. Sam Culler had two boys, Clem and Frank. They were living on Uncle Jake's farm about a mile out of town. Mother had two brothers living there, Jake and John Kern, and two sisters, Katy Kern and Christine Rapp, also Frank and Willie Rapp. Jake had just got back from riding in with a new Olds auto. And I had my first auto ride in it. It was quite a joke. He had a lot of fun herding the cows home from the pasture. I cut me a cane down by some little creek. It was sassafras and grape vines twined around it. It looked more like a snake than a cane. I carved my name and date on it on the 17th of March. I still have it.
My father never allowed anyone to take a picture of him and no one ever did. I have a snap shot of mother that Florence Chenot took. Aunt Katy had a tin-type picture of her when she was a young girl. Very nice looking.
I did not know that John Culler (Ed's grandfather) had ten children. I knew he had two brothers in Ohio and two of them in Missouri and one, Ben, in Syracuse, and sister Betsy in Ohio. When we lived in Fort Collins, Colorado, I visited Ana, Ed and Charles Culler who lived there. I tried to find out who they were and they didn't know where they came from or who they were. I always thought they came from the two brothers in Missouri. Cal Kelly, Anna's son, died last June. Think he was the last of the Kelly family.
I met my wife Gertrude E. Girvan in Evans, Colorado. We were married June 16, 1909. Her mother came from England and father from Scotland. Gertrude was born at Manhattan, Kansas on March 17, 1887. We have three sons, Charles, born in LaSalle, Colorado on August 17, 1910. One of the head mechanics of the Boeing plant in Seattle for 28 years. He helped design the 707 and now is working on the big plane 747 which carries up to 500 people and a lot of freight. I had been telling him it would never get off the ground, but it is now flying O.K. Charles married, and they have a boy and girl adopted. Both married. Charles lives at 2160 114 Street SW, Seattle, Washington.
Maurice Culler was born at LaSalle, Colorado, April 30, 1911. Also lives. Been working for Boeing but now bought a ranch in Hotchkiss (near Grand Junction) and just moved on it. They have two girls, both married and have 4 grandchildren. Ken Culler, born in Ft. Collins, October 25, 1930. He was in the Marines 6 years and then worked for the United Air lines in California for ten years. Got tired of that and now moved to Missouri, where he is running a hog ranch. Got married last April to a very nice girl. We now have three of the nicest daughters-in-law anyone could wish for. Their address is Verona (southwest of Springfield, Missouri), R. 1, Box 124, Missouri. I think this is about all I can tell you. Hope you can read this as I can't see very good and have been away from most of the family for 70 years. So I can't tell you much about them. We are still able to keep the home fires burning and take care of ourselves. Hoping this finds you now O.K. If you ever come west again stop and see us. Good luck. Ed Culler, "the last one of the clan."
This is a newspaper article that was written in the Greeley Tribune in Greeley, Colorado April 12, 1976.
ELDERLY COUPLE AMAZINGLY INTERESTED IN LIFE
Amazing, absolutely amazing! The Culler couple is "something else" She is 89; he is 98. They care for themselves, keep up a big house, neat as a pin, do their own shopping, and banking.
And if they both live until June 16, they will celebrate their 67th wedding anniversary. " That's a long time to with one man," remarked Mrs Culler. Ed Culler, himself wondered why they were having their picture taken - they didn't even get that on their wedding day!
Photographers were scarce back in 1909. The wedding took place at La Salle where she was reared. Charles Gervan, Mrs Culler's father, had purchased the farm on which they lived. But there's a story to that. It had been a homestead claimed by a Mr. French. It seems this Mr. French had to leave the homestead frequently so a Mr. Woodbury jumped his claim. This was far from appreciated by Mr. French so he proceeded to shoot and kill Mr. Woodbury. In retaliation, the citizens took the law into their own hands and hanged Mr. French. " They hung French in the courthouse and let him hang 'till noon the next day," was Mrs Culler's recollection. " Now my nephew, also named Charles Girvan, lives on this farm southeast of La Salle.
It was on this farm Mrs Culler was reared. She attended the Beebee Draw School through the eighth grade. " I planned to train for a nurse, but I got married to Ed Culler instead.
Ed Culler was reared in Louisville, Ohio. He had contracted asthma so for reasons of health came to Colorado in 1906. He was a jeweler and had his first shop in Evans. He then moved to La Salle where he inspected watches for conductors on the Union Pacific (and Julesburg) Railroad.
The couple had three sons. One of the boys had asthma so bad they decided to move to the higher country and took him to Craig, about 240 miles west of here.
They stayed there until it was time for the boys to get into high school, so they made the move to Fort Collins. All three boys were graduated as engineers from Colorado State University with the exception of the youngest, Kenneth, who after three years at CSU joined the U.S. Marines. Later he went with United Airlines. Charles was with Boeing Aircraft 29 years, and Maurice, 27 years. All were mechanically inclined.
Thirty - one years ago the Culler purchased their present home in the college area of Greeley and have lived there since. She used to keep students, mostly girls and they often did their own cookery and light housekeeping.
They have given this up now, but do their own cookery and housekeeping. He gets around quite well, uses a cane, but even helps his wife with the dishes. " We always work to keep away from going into a nursing home. That's what we don't want! " She expressed herself vehemently.
Becoming retrospective, she reflected on the many friends they had, and how often they would drop in for supper and an evening of television. We were one of the first to have TV and the neighbors would come in and " watch the fights. " Apparently boxing and wrestling were highlights of the evening.+
" But they're all gone now. Not many our age left. And it's hard to make new friends when you're old, " she confided.
Ed is vitally interested in political affairs. listens to the news on television. " Can you tell me where this country is headed? " he asked.
The couple's current needs are companionships more than anything else. None of their sons reside in Greeley. All are married and to wonderful girls, according to their mother. " When my daughters-in-law come, they just take over, Its wonderful! I think pop's getting tired of my cooking."
But they count their blessings. " We've never had any sickness, no broken bones. Never even had anyone of the family in jail or anything like that! " She continued, " And my boys were good boys. We never told them " you can't, you can't, you can't do this or that. They're just that way, good kids."
" This house is pretty gib, and I wouldn't mind going into something smaller, an apartment, maybe, but I need room for the boys and their families when they come home. I can't bear to think of going into one room, furnished with a bed and wheelchair! "
We commented on a beautiful coffee table set with polished rocks. Mrs Culler explained " When I married Mr. Culler we took a homestead. These rocks came off that homestead. After my father died we lived on the home place for a time, but after a year, Ed went back to fixing watches."
When asked about longevity, possible contributing factors, Culler said " You wouldn't want to get this old! " And she had this to say, " I'm a worrier, the biggest worrier there ever was, a chronic worrier - and I haven't even caught up on my worrying. It's a wonder I'm still alive. I admire people who don't give a hang about anything."
They love Greeley, recall when there wasn't too much to it, like 31 years ago. And he keeps listening to the news, even though he thinks things don't look good. She too, has her TV program she's interested in, but doesn't let the soap operas take over.
Again, amazing is the word their faculties and alert interest in life and their exceptional claim to health.
The following came from some notes that Anna (Culler) Kelley, granddaughter Ruby Giffin wrote. Anna was a sister to Edwin Culler.
Ed and his boys were great hunters. They had a cabin in the mountains for years. They sent us so many pictures of them at their cabin, and the "game" they brought home. Aunt Gerty was with them, most of the time. She was quite a lady.
This is a story from a old newspaper article titled "A Fish Story"
Dr. Raw and R. Pattison laid aside the cares of professional and shop duties last Friday afternoon and took a trial at fishing. They had no idea of going fishing till they saw Ed Culler come in with a nice little catch, which he said he had hooked that afternoon in a little stream east of town, but probably were some that he purchased from some little boy who understands the art. But, then, perhaps he did hook them--from a string upon which some angler had fastened his catch.
Anyway, the sight of the fish, and the tale told by Ed Culler, of how easy it was done, created a desire in the bosoms of the two aforesaid gentlemen, to possess a few of the members of the finny tribe.
It did not take them long to lay their plans; Doc. Was to go and hitch up his team while Pat. Dug the bait. The anticipation of an afternoon sport with the hook and line, frustrated the doctor, and it took him about twice the time to get the team ready as it would if it had been for a hurry-up call in the country. Pat. Was more successful. He was digging for dear life and the worms were accumulating rapidly, and when Doc. Drove up, he had enough to fill two large tomato cans. They sorted out what they concluded would be sufficient and dug a hole in the ground and placed the remaining worms therein for future use. It was a happy looking pair that drove out of town that afternoon. They resembled very much two school boys who had just been let out for the summer vacation.
Arriving at the stream it did not take them long to bait their hooks and cast them into the stream, the bites were numerous enough--especially the mosquito bites, but the big fish refused to be caught. They waited patiently, and after a long time were compelled to leave with a very meager supply. They arrived home after dark with but six small fish between the two. Evidently they did not take the right kind of bait, of Ed did not explain the matter fully as to how he "hooked" his fish.
Edwin Culler wrote this letter to his great-niece, Miriam Cable, on January 26, 1970.
Dear Relative---I will try to answer some things you asked for. I am nearly blind and have hard time to read your letter. I left Ohio in 1901. Stopped off at Syracuse, Indiana for a few days. And stayed at Sam Culler place. Also went to your house. (Which was his brother Jacob's house.) I remember the two girls they had. Sam Culler had two boys, Clem and Frank. They were living on Uncle Jake's farm about a mile out of town. Mother had two brothers living there, Jake and John Kern, and two sisters, Katy Kern and Christine Rapp, also Frank and Willie Rapp. Jake had just got back from riding in with a new Olds auto. And I had my first auto ride in it. It was quite a joke. He had a lot of fun herding the cows home from the pasture. I cut me a cane down by some little creek. It was sassafras and grape vines twined around it. It looked more like a snake than a cane. I carved my name and date on it on the 17th of March. I still have it.
My father never allowed anyone to take a picture of him and no one ever did. I have a snap shot of mother that Florence Chenot took. Aunt Katy had a tin-type picture of her when she was a young girl. Very nice looking.
I did not know that John Culler (Ed's grandfather) had ten children. I knew he had two brothers in Ohio and two of them in Missouri and one, Ben, in Syracuse, and sister Betsy in Ohio. When we lived in Fort Collins, Colorado, I visited Ana, Ed and Charles Culler who lived there. I tried to find out who they were and they didn't know where they came from or who they were. I always thought they came from the two brothers in Missouri. Cal Kelly, Anna's son, died last June. Think he was the last of the Kelly family.
I met my wife Gertrude E. Girvan in Evans, Colorado. We were married June 16, 1909. Her mother came from England and father from Scotland. Gertrude was born at Manhattan, Kansas on March 17, 1887. We have three sons, Charles, born in LaSalle, Colorado on August 17, 1910. One of the head mechanics of the Boeing plant in Seattle for 28 years. He helped design the 707 and now is working on the big plane 747 which carries up to 500 people and a lot of freight. I had been telling him it would never get off the ground, but it is now flying O.K. Charles married, and they have a boy and girl adopted. Both married. Charles lives at 2160 114 Street SW, Seattle, Washington.
Maurice Culler was born at LaSalle, Colorado, April 30, 1911. Also lives. Been working for Boeing but now bought a ranch in Hotchkiss (near Grand Junction) and just moved on it. They have two girls, both married and have 4 grandchildren. Ken Culler, born in Ft. Collins, October 25, 1930. He was in the Marines 6 years and then worked for the United Air lines in California for ten years. Got tired of that and now moved to Missouri, where he is running a hog ranch. Got married last April to a very nice girl. We now have three of the nicest daughters-in-law anyone could wish for. Their address is Verona (southwest of Springfield, Missouri), R. 1, Box 124, Missouri. I think this is about all I can tell you. Hope you can read this as I can't see very good and have been away from most of the family for 70 years. So I can't tell you much about them. We are still able to keep the home fires burning and take care of ourselves. Hoping this finds you now O.K. If you ever come west again stop and see us. Good luck. Ed Culler, "the last one of the clan."
ELDERLY COUPLE AMAZINGLY INTERESTED IN LIFE
Amazing, absolutely amazing! The Culler couple is "something else" She is 89; he is 98. They care for themselves, keep up a big house, neat as a pin, do their own shopping, and banking.
And if they both live until June 16, they will celebrate their 67th wedding anniversary. " That's a long time to with one man," remarked Mrs Culler. Ed Culler, himself wondered why they were having their picture taken - they didn't even get that on their wedding day!
Photographers were scarce back in 1909. The wedding took place at La Salle where she was reared. Charles Gervan, Mrs Culler's father, had purchased the farm on which they lived. But there's a story to that. It had been a homestead claimed by a Mr. French. It seems this Mr. French had to leave the homestead frequently so a Mr. Woodbury jumped his claim. This was far from appreciated by Mr. French so he proceeded to shoot and kill Mr. Woodbury. In retaliation, the citizens took the law into their own hands and hanged Mr. French. " They hung French in the courthouse and let him hang 'till noon the next day," was Mrs Culler's recollection. " Now my nephew, also named Charles Girvan, lives on this farm southeast of La Salle.
It was on this farm Mrs Culler was reared. She attended the Beebee Draw School through the eighth grade. " I planned to train for a nurse, but I got married to Ed Culler instead.
Ed Culler was reared in Louisville, Ohio. He had contracted asthma so for reasons of health came to Colorado in 1906. He was a jeweler and had his first shop in Evans. He then moved to La Salle where he inspected watches for conductors on the Union Pacific (and Julesburg) Railroad.
The couple had three sons. One of the boys had asthma so bad they decided to move to the higher country and took him to Craig, about 240 miles west of here.
They stayed there until it was time for the boys to get into high school, so they made the move to Fort Collins. All three boys were graduated as engineers from Colorado State University with the exception of the youngest, Kenneth, who after three years at CSU joined the U.S. Marines. Later he went with United Airlines. Charles was with Boeing Aircraft 29 years, and Maurice, 27 years. All were mechanically inclined.
Thirty - one years ago the Culler purchased their present home in the college area of Greeley and have lived there since. She used to keep students, mostly girls and they often did their own cookery and light housekeeping.
They have given this up now, but do their own cookery and housekeeping. He gets around quite well, uses a cane, but even helps his wife with the dishes. " We always work to keep away from going into a nursing home. That's what we don't want! " She expressed herself vehemently.
Becoming retrospective, she reflected on the many friends they had, and how often they would drop in for supper and an evening of television. We were one of the first to have TV and the neighbors would come in and " watch the fights. " Apparently boxing and wrestling were highlights of the evening.+
" But they're all gone now. Not many our age left. And it's hard to make new friends when you're old, " she confided.
Ed is vitally interested in political affairs. listens to the news on television. " Can you tell me where this country is headed? " he asked.
The couple's current needs are companionships more than anything else. None of their sons reside in Greeley. All are married and to wonderful girls, according to their mother. " When my daughters-in-law come, they just take over, Its wonderful! I think pop's getting tired of my cooking."
But they count their blessings. " We've never had any sickness, no broken bones. Never even had anyone of the family in jail or anything like that! " She continued, " And my boys were good boys. We never told them " you can't, you can't, you can't do this or that. They're just that way, good kids."
" This house is pretty gib, and I wouldn't mind going into something smaller, an apartment, maybe, but I need room for the boys and their families when they come home. I can't bear to think of going into one room, furnished with a bed and wheelchair! "
We commented on a beautiful coffee table set with polished rocks. Mrs Culler explained " When I married Mr. Culler we took a homestead. These rocks came off that homestead. After my father died we lived on the home place for a time, but after a year, Ed went back to fixing watches."
When asked about longevity, possible contributing factors, Culler said " You wouldn't want to get this old! " And she had this to say, " I'm a worrier, the biggest worrier there ever was, a chronic worrier - and I haven't even caught up on my worrying. It's a wonder I'm still alive. I admire people who don't give a hang about anything."
They love Greeley, recall when there wasn't too much to it, like 31 years ago. And he keeps listening to the news, even though he thinks things don't look good. She too, has her TV program she's interested in, but doesn't let the soap operas take over.
Again, amazing is the word their faculties and alert interest in life and their exceptional claim to health.
The following came from some notes that Anna (Culler) Kelley, granddaughter Ruby Giffin wrote. Anna was a sister to Edwin Culler.
Ed and his boys were great hunters. They had a cabin in the mountains for years. They sent us so many pictures of them at their cabin, and the "game" they brought home. Aunt Gerty was with them, most of the time. She was quite a lady.
This is a story from a old newspaper article titled "A Fish Story"
Dr. Raw and R. Pattison laid aside the cares of professional and shop duties last Friday afternoon and took a trial at fishing. They had no idea of going fishing till they saw Ed Culler come in with a nice little catch, which he said he had hooked that afternoon in a little stream east of town, but probably were some that he purchased from some little boy who understands the art. But, then, perhaps he did hook them--from a string upon which some angler had fastened his catch.
Anyway, the sight of the fish, and the tale told by Ed Culler, of how easy it was done, created a desire in the bosoms of the two aforesaid gentlemen, to possess a few of the members of the finny tribe.
It did not take them long to lay their plans; Doc. Was to go and hitch up his team while Pat. Dug the bait. The anticipation of an afternoon sport with the hook and line, frustrated the doctor, and it took him about twice the time to get the team ready as it would if it had been for a hurry-up call in the country. Pat. Was more successful. He was digging for dear life and the worms were accumulating rapidly, and when Doc. Drove up, he had enough to fill two large tomato cans. They sorted out what they concluded would be sufficient and dug a hole in the ground and placed the remaining worms therein for future use. It was a happy looking pair that drove out of town that afternoon. They resembled very much two school boys who had just been let out for the summer vacation.
Arriving at the stream it did not take them long to bait their hooks and cast them into the stream, the bites were numerous enough--especially the mosquito bites, but the big fish refused to be caught. They waited patiently, and after a long time were compelled to leave with a very meager supply. They arrived home after dark with but six small fish between the two. Evidently they did not take the right kind of bait, of Ed did not explain the matter fully as to how he "hooked" his fish.
Edwin Culler wrote this letter to his great-niece, Miriam Cable, on January 26, 1970.
Dear Relative---I will try to answer some things you asked for. I am nearly blind and have hard time to read your letter. I left Ohio in 1901. Stopped off at Syracuse, Indiana for a few days. And stayed at Sam Culler place. Also went to your house. (Which was his brother Jacob's house.) I remember the two girls they had. Sam Culler had two boys, Clem and Frank. They were living on Uncle Jake's farm about a mile out of town. Mother had two brothers living there, Jake and John Kern, and two sisters, Katy Kern and Christine Rapp, also Frank and Willie Rapp. Jake had just got back from riding in with a new Olds auto. And I had my first auto ride in it. It was quite a joke. He had a lot of fun herding the cows home from the pasture. I cut me a cane down by some little creek. It was sassafras and grape vines twined around it. It looked more like a snake than a cane. I carved my name and date on it on the 17th of March. I still have it.
My father never allowed anyone to take a picture of him and no one ever did. I have a snap shot of mother that Florence Chenot took. Aunt Katy had a tin-type picture of her when she was a young girl. Very nice looking.
I did not know that John Culler (Ed's grandfather) had ten children. I knew he had two brothers in Ohio and two of them in Missouri and one, Ben, in Syracuse, and sister Betsy in Ohio. When we lived in Fort Collins, Colorado, I visited Ana, Ed and Charles Culler who lived there. I tried to find out who they were and they didn't know where they came from or who they were. I always thought they came from the two brothers in Missouri. Cal Kelly, Anna's son, died last June. Think he was the last of the Kelly family.
I met my wife Gertrude E. Girvan in Evans, Colorado. We were married June 16, 1909. Her mother came from England and father from Scotland. Gertrude was born at Manhattan, Kansas on March 17, 1887. We have three sons, Charles, born in LaSalle, Colorado on August 17, 1910. One of the head mechanics of the Boeing plant in Seattle for 28 years. He helped design the 707 and now is working on the big plane 747 which carries up to 500 people and a lot of freight. I had been telling him it would never get off the ground, but it is now flying O.K. Charles married, and they have a boy and girl adopted. Both married. Charles lives at 2160 114 Street SW, Seattle, Washington.
Maurice Culler was born at LaSalle, Colorado, April 30, 1911. Also lives. Been working for Boeing but now bought a ranch in Hotchkiss (near Grand Junction) and just moved on it. They have two girls, both married and have 4 grandchildren. Ken Culler, born in Ft. Collins, October 25, 1930. He was in the Marines 6 years and then worked for the United Air lines in California for ten years. Got tired of that and now moved to Missouri, where he is running a hog ranch. Got married last April to a very nice girl. We now have three of the nicest daughters-in-law anyone could wish for. Their address is Verona (southwest of Springfield, Missouri), R. 1, Box 124, Missouri. I think this is about all I can tell you. Hope you can read this as I can't see very good and have been away from most of the family for 70 years. So I can't tell you much about them. We are still able to keep the home fires burning and take care of ourselves. Hoping this finds you now O.K. If you ever come west again stop and see us. Good luck. Ed Culler, "the last one of the clan."
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
