When he was twenty-one years old, in 1835, Culbertson moved to New Albany, Indiana. He found a job working as a clerk in a New Albany dry goods store owned by Alexander S. Burnett.
Dry goods are items such as cotton, cloth, buttons, needles, and threads.
Culbertson's interest in dry goods grew, so he started his own dry goods business with his younger brother John. This business was called the Culbertson and Brother Dry Goods business and was located on Pearl Street near Main Street in downtown New Albany. This location is near the site of the Municipal parking lot. William s father 5. In 1861, William Arthur Culbertson became his father's business partner.