Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-03-14
NUMBER SO.
GEORGE CULVER.

GEORGE CULVER.
The Death of One of Our Oldest and Best
Citizens.
AT twenty-ons minutes past nine O'Clock
last evening, Col. Geo. Culver breathed his
last. He was about the Metropolitan hotel,
of which establishment he was the landlord,
last week Wednesday, dining socially that
day with Hon. FL. M. Rice, his old friend
and business associate. He was feeling
little unwell at that time, and it was planned
| between the two friends that during next
summer they would take three weeks
camping OUT trip, far away from settle
ments, and thus renew. their earlier
| experience, when all of this region
was desolate. The same evening his illness
began, and on Thursday morning of last
week his medical advisers, Drs. Hand and
Smith, were summoned to his aid. They
| found him suffering from an attack of acute
| inflammation of the bowels-an attack from
which he was destined never to rally. ALI
that was possible was done to aid him, but
without avail. Though robust and apparent.
emily hearty, he has not been absolutely well
during the winter, and close confinement in
the care of the hotel told upon him. He
| oyertaxed his energies at the time of the
Governors reception, on the 28th of Febru-
airy, and taking little cold laid the founda-
ton for the illness which proved so swiftly
fatal. After going to his room
on the night of the 9Th he never
left his apartment. During the early part
of his illness he suffered much pain, to re-
lieve which powerful opiates were given.
Except when under the influence of opiates
his mind was clear, and he recognized friends
up to noon on yesterday. He made his will
on Monday night of the current week, and
| was able to give clear directions relative to
| his business affairs. Though given up by
his physicians two or three days ago, his
| vigorous constitution prolonged his life be-
You'd their expectations. At noon yesterday
he became unconscious, and in that condi-
ton, surrounded by his griefetricken fam
lily, ne passed quietly away at the hour
| named above.
MIR. Culver was born in. Cayuga county,
| New York, on the 10Th of September, 1918,
and was consequently in his sixty first year
at the time of his death. In 1884 he went
| West, hating for year or two in Michigan.
From Michigan he removed to Illinois, and
! in 1886 and 1887 was a contractor in build
| ing the Illinois canal. When through with
| that work, he settled in Northern Iowa.
where he engaged in farming, and also in
trading with the Winnebago Indians. In
1916 he went to Washington and assisted in
making treaty with the Winnebagoes,
whereby they coded all their lands in North
ern Iowa TO the government.
In 1848 he assisted in removing the Win
| nebagoes from Northern Iowa to Long
Prairie river, now Todd county, Minnesota.
Col. Culver had the general management of
| the commissary department upon that men,
orable trip. After locating the Indians he
| concluded to remain there, and became one
of the leading Indian traders. In 1851 he
formed partnership with H. NJ. Rice of St.
Paul, and under the firm name of Rice, Gull
| yer & Co.. very extensive fur, Indian trad
| ing and general merchandise business was
conducted. In 1853 he removed to St. Paul,
engaging in similar business
with John Harrington, under the firm name
of Culver & Harrington. This firm
like that of Rice, Culver & Co., did a very
heavy Indian trade, supplying nearly all the
traders in the Northwest and especially in
the Red River valley. The firm was among
the first to open trade with Manitoba, and
was the first establishment in the State to
engage in pork packing. Among other
business enterprises they carried the mail
| from st. Paul to the British line. Though
their business has entirely changed this firm
has, we believe, never been formally dissolv-
ed. In 1871 Mr.. Culver, with his partner,
Mr.. harrington, Col. Morton and others,
organized the Farmers & Mechanics bank,
an institution in which he was director at
the time of his death. He owned a one
fourth interest in the Metropolitan
hotel, Mr.. Harrington and his family
owning three-eighths, and the Cullen estate
the remainder. When Mr.. butcher, toe lessee
of the hotel, died, some four years ago, Col.
Culver assumed charge, owing to the emer-
gency, and without really designing to remain
in the business, he found himself apparently
a fixture as landlord. About three months
ago he took fol NAL lease of the hotel for
five years, and designed adding some extern
sive improvements the coming season if
death had not interposed.
Mr.. Culver was married at Elkader, Iowa,
in 1916, to Miss Margaret E. Riddle, the es-
Unable lady who survives him. OF their
children but two are iving-a son, Edward,
and daughter, Low Mrs. 81. P. Rugg. He
has brother, Samuel Culver, living at some
! point in the State and cousin, j. B. Gull
yer, living at Duluth. These, we believe,
cover the immediate family of the deceased.
All were present at the closing scene save
his brother, who is unaware of the illness or
its termination.
Mr.. Culver leaves a handsome fortune,
besides quite large life insurance. In adj
dition to his city property, which is large,
he owned large and valuable tract of land
in Blue Earth county.
The late hour last evening prevented any
definite arrangements being made for the
funeral, but it will probably take place on
Sunday. His stricken family can rest as
sured that multitude of sincere mourners
will unite with them in the last tribute of
respect to the husband, father and citizen
who goes before.