Col. D. B. Culberson was elected to the State Legislature in 1859, was elected again in 1864. He was then elected to the Forty-fourth Congress and served continuously until his death.
From a private in the Confederate Army he was promoted to the rank of Colonel of the 18th Texas Infantry, was assigned to duty in 1864 as Adjutant-General, with rank of Colonel.
Although a nationally known lawyer of shrewd and brilliant mind he remained always unassuming almost careless in his dress. In manner he was shy and retiring.
He spoke so seldom in Congress that he was known as “The Silent Member.”
His brilliant mind, sterling qualities of character won for him the title of “Honest Dave.” He was one of the lawyers in the famous Diomond Bessie-Rothchild case.
The Rev. D. B. Culberson, Sr., the father of Col. Culberson, was one of the early pastors of the First Baptist Church of Jefferson.
CLUBS
The 1881 Club
The 1881 Club was organized in Jefferson, Texas in October 1881 at the home of Mrs. W. B. Ward, where a room full of enthusiastic members organized a chautauqua circle. Among the charter members were: Mrs. J. H. Bemis, Mrs. J. P. Russell, Mrs. Sallie Dickson and Miss Sarah Terhune. The circle was composed of both men and women and met at night. Captain J. P. Russell was the first president with Ben Epperson as Secretary. At the end of four years diplomas and credits were given.
Without a break in the meetings the chautauqua circle was merged into a woman’s club, called the Review Club lessons being taken from current magazines, then known as the Shakespearean Club for several years.