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Eli Culver during his active business life was one of the leading druggists of Coldwater, but is now retired and living in a pleasant home in the central part of the city. He became identified with the interests of this county during its earlier days, and has acquitted himself, both as a business man and a citizen, in a highly creditable manner. A native of the town of Hector, Tompkins Co., N.Y., he was born Feb. 4, 1816, and is the son of Sylvanus and Nancy (Raynor) Culver, whose family comprised eleven children, namely: Oliver; Phebe, who married Jonathan Moore; Abigail, Mrs. Sylvester White; Parsons, David, Walter, William, Catharine, Mary, Eli (our subject) and Jane. The latter is now Mrs. Lorenzo McGinnis.

Sylvanus Culver, the father of our subject, was born in Southampton, Long Island, about 1777, and spent his early years, until fifteen years of age, on a farm. He then learned millwrighting, at which he worked in connection with farming for probably a period of twenty years. After his marriage he settled in Hector, N.Y., and thence later removed to Tioga County, remaining there seven years. Subsequently he was a resident of Bethany, Genesee County, and Farmington, Ontario County, remaining in the latter place six years, and from there came to the Territory of Michigan in May 1833, locating in Madison Township, Lenawee County.

In this journey the father of our subject was accompanied by his family, coming via the Erie Canal and lake steamer to Detroit, and thence overland by team to Lenawee County. He purchased sixty acres of land, upon which stood a log house, and there he built up a comfortable home and spent the remainder of his days. His life as a pioneer was similar to that of scores of others in this region, and his industry was fully equal to theirs. At the time of his death he had brought his land to a high state of cultivation, planted an orchard and other fruit trees, and put up first-class buildings. He passed away in 1848, and his remains were laid to rest in the cemetery at Dover.

The elder Culver was a Democrat, politically, and an attendant of the Presbyterian Church. He followed his trade of millwright to a great extent after coming to the West, leaving the farm work principally for his boys; he was prominent among local affairs and a man of good judgment, whose opinions were universally held in respect. His wife, Nancy, was also born on Long Island, and was one of the large family of Stephen Raynor, who was a farmer by occupation and spent his entire life on Long Island. The mother of our subject is remembered as a most estimable Christian lady, performing faithfully her whole duty to her husband and children. She survived the former three years, and was buried by his side in the cemetery at Dover.

Mr. Culver, our subject, was at an early age taught to make himself useful about the homestead, and continued under the parental roof until reaching his majority, attending school mostly in the winter season. Upon leaving home he worked out by the month of a farm until he had accumulated $200. This he invested in 160 acres of Government land in Algansee Township, and in the fall of 1839 commenced building a log house after the primitive fashion of those days. At the first raising it was not nearly completed on account of the absence of whisky, but at the second, under the stimulus of this beverage, it was finished. In 1839 Mr. Culver was married, and occupied this dwelling about six years, during which time he brought forty acres of his land to a good state of cultivation without other aid than that of his excellent wife, who assisted him in picking up brush, chunks, etc., and carrying them to the fire where they were burned.

In 1843 Mr. Culver sold out and removed to Lenawee County, where he assumed charge of his father’s old homestead, which he conducted four years. Next he purchased a partially improved farm in Rome Township, sold this six years later, and after farming a year elsewhere came to Coldwater and became the partner of his son in the drug business, at which he continued for a period of twelve years. Since that time he has lived retired from active business.

Mr. Culver owns a good property in the city of Coldwater and a farm near the limits. He is a member of the Republican party, although he reserves the right to vote independently. He has served as School Commissioner four years, has also been Highway Commissioner, and fulfilled the duties of other responsible offices. During the progress of the late war, he was an active member of the Union League. In his early manhood he had some experience as a teacher.

The wife of our subject was in her girlhood Miss Zillah D. Thompson, who was born in Perrinton, Monroe Co., N.Y., about 1823, and was wedded to Mr. Culver on the 11th of February, 1839. She was brought by her parents to the State of Michigan, and they settled in Dover Township, Lenawee County. The father purchased a tract of Government land and carried on farming, and with his estimable wife lived to a good old age, respected by all who knew him. Of this marriage of our subject there were born five children, namely: Alice, who died at the age of six years; George, Rosamond, Lorenzo Jay and Charles. Rosamond is now the wife of Anson Thompson, of Coldwater. These children were all given a good education, completing their studies in Adrian College, with the exception of Charles, who was graduated from the Coldwater schools. His death, it is supposed, was the result of an accident in getting off the cars in 1884. The two boys surviving are carrying on business for themselves and are successful, both being druggists, one in Coldwater and one in Detroit. Mrs. Zillah Culver departed this life at her home in Coldwater, July 30, 1884, and her remains were laid to rest in Oak Grove Cemetery. She was a lady possessing all the womanly virtues, modest and retiring in disposition, and in all respects a model wife and mother.

Mr. Culver, June 17, 1886, contracted a second marriage, with Miss Amelia, daughter of David and Elizabeth (Hall) Howell, who was the second child of a family consisting of two sons and three daughters. She was born at Mendham, Morris Co., N.J., April 29, 1829, which was also the birthplace of her father, who carried on farming there until his death, in 1859. He was a substantial member of his community and an active and worthy citizen, Republican in politics, and a member of the Presbyterian Church. His wife, Elizabeth, was born at Basking Ridge, N.J., so named because Washington’s army encamped there where his horses could bask in the sunshine. The mother of Mrs. Culver was a most amiable and excellent Christian lady, and died at her home in New Jersey, in 1860.

Mrs. Culver, in 1870, came to Michigan on a visit to her brother, spending this time four years, then returned to New Jersey and lived six years, after which she came back to the West and here has since remained. She is a member in good standing of the Presbyterian Church, and has many friends among the leading people of Coldwater.