Thomas Warren Cullen (1851 - 1939)

Born 31 Oct 1851 in Elizabethtown, Hardin, Kentucky, United States

Husband of Nancy Jane (Arbuthnot) Cullen — married 15 Sep 1875 in Gibson County, Indiana

Died 8 Mar 1939 at age 87 in Oakland City, Gibson, Indiana, United States

Biography

Thomas W. Cullen (alias Cullin), b. 31 Oct 1851, Hardin Kentucky. Son of John Cullin of England (or Ireland) and Elizabeth Taber, his wife, of Kentucky. His father, a farmer in Dist. 2, Hardin, Kentucky where Thomas was born. In the 1860 census Thos (age 8) was in District 2, Hardin, Kentucky.^[1]

1869: Royal Arch Mason: Upholding a family tradition, Thomas became a lifelong Freemason: his primary lodge - Masonic Prince Lodge #231, Princeton, Gibson Co.: charter member, Princeton Chapt 75, Royal Arch; in later years, served as a Master Mason. His future wife, Nancy Arbuthnot, was a member of Order of the Eastern Star, her grandfather, John Arbuthnot, an 1857 founder/charter member of said Lodge. ^[2][3] Additionally, Thomas' father John and several other family members were also respected Freemasons in their respective communities. Associated with I.O.O.F. Princeton as was his father-in-law.^[4]

Marriage: Thomas W. Cullen and Nannie J Arbuthnot married on 15 Sep 1875 in Gibson, Indiana. Officator: Elder, Robert A. Taylor ^[5]
Their Children:

1. †Claude b. 1878 poss. Gibson Co. -or- Union Twp, Vanderburgh Co.
2. Estella b. 1881 prob. Vanderburgh Co.
3. Myrtle b. 1883 poss. Vanderburgh Co.
4. †Elmer b. 1885 Patoka Twp. Gibson Co.^[6][7]
5. John U. b. 1889 Princeton ^[8][9]
6. Argyle B. b. 1891 Princeton
7. Aurel R. b. 1895 Princeton ^[10]

Sometime after marriage, Thomas received employment as a Schoolteacher in the nearby county of Vanderburgh. It is not known exactly when the couple removed from Princeton to start their new adventure: While life events can be pieced together, it is certain the young couple were living in Union Twp., Vanderburgh Co., near Evansville before 1880 when Thomas received an appointment as a County Justice of the Peace. The following events help trace their whereabouts during the early days of marriage and home-making:

• 1877, Thomas' younger brother died late Nov and was buried at Columbia - White Church Cemetery, Princeton. ^[11]. A mourning obituary published in a Princeton-based newspaper seems to indicate Thomas' natal family was likely in residence in Gibson Co. at the time^[12]

• Early Fall 1878, Thomas and Nancy had their first child, Claude. The son- apparent died 7 Aug 1879, ae 10 m 21d. While the infant's broken tombstone was located in 2005 in Vanderburgh County, dislodged from an unidentified burial site, no documents for him have been located. ^[13]

• 1880 (10 Apr): Thomas W Cullen was appointed a Justice of the Peace for Vanderburgh County, Indiana.^[14]

1880(02Jun): Union Twp, Vanderburgh, Indiana: Censused as TW Cullin with wife NJ Cullin. Occupation: School Teacher ^[15]

• Based on a comparison between the 1880 census and an 1880 surveyor map, it appears the couple was living on school grounds next to Geo. Wolf property near Fairplay in Union Twp. just off Henderson Rd (a few miles s. from his parents). (note: a Rev. Geo Wolf was listed as a Freemason at Prince Lodge in 1914). Neighboring names of E. Rutter and Hille are also censused as neighbors ^[16].
• Thomas's father died in Sept 1880 - a resident of Union Twp at the time of his death, John Cullin was both well-known and respected in the local area. Not a landowner or a man of great means, John had removed from Princeton probably after the death of his youngest son. An Evansville Freemason, John's funeral was widely attended John Cullen Obituary^[17]. While Thomas' parents followed the Cumberland Presbyterian (CP) faith, it is not known for certain if Thomas was a CP member, although several relatives had CP Church affiliations ^[18]

During the early part of 1884, Ohio Valley was underwater, the river surging its banks and inundating four hundred miles of Indiana countryside. Thousands of residents fled advancing flood waters, most becoming homeless within hours. While no place in the region escaped, an estimated fifty of the fifty-five homes in Fairplay, Union Twp. alone were obliterated, hundreds more across the region battered off their foundations and swept away ^[19][20] (This is possibly when his son's grave marker washed away, rediscovered in 2005)

Perhaps before, but certainly following this disaster, Thomas moved his family back to Princeton, Gibson County where he may have continued teaching while establishing his law practice. In 1891, he was elected Gibson County Superintendent of Schools.

• 1891(01Jun): Princeton, Gibson County, Indiana : Elected County Superintendent - a two-year term. ^[2][21][22].

1899: Princeton, Patoka Twp, Gibson. Occupation: Attorney at Law. Patron of Newly published Atlas, Gibson County. ^[23]

1900: Princeton, Patoka Twp, Gibson, Indiana ^[24]

1910: 826 Main St., Princeton, Gibson Co. with wife, three sons and niece (Florence Yochum, dau of his wife's dec'd sister, Indiana Arbuthnot Yochum). Occupation: Lawyer, general practice In the 1910 census Thomas (age 57) was the married head of household.^[25]

1914: Princeton, Gibson Co.. Occupation: Circuit Court, Lic. Attorney ^[2]

1920: 826 N. Main St., Princeton, Gibson Co. with wife and niece Florence. ^[26]

1930: 826 N. Main St. Princeton, Gibson, Indiana: ae 78, still a practicing lawyer in his own office; wife Nancy and son Aurel also censused in the home. ^[27]

Died: Thomas died on 3 March 1939 and was buried in Princeton, Gibson, Indiana. His headstone carries a Shriner logo above his name. ^[28] Obituary: 10 Mar 1939, Evansville Courier and Press, Evansville, Indiana. ^[29]

Research Notes

LNAB: Cullin vs Cullen: Cullin was used interchangeably with Cullen on early documents - this profile generally uses the latter spelling, however, does not change reported vital or other known records. Additional Notes:

• While some report Thomas' middle initial W stands for the name Warren no verifying records have been located.
• A portrait of Thomas may be seen at his FindaGrave memorial: Thomas W Cullen.

Parental Identity Discussion: The 1860 census correlates with English immigrant John Cullin (Cullen) found in Hardin, KY abt. 1850 who married Elizabeth Taber in 1851 and removed to Indiana. Many investigators conclude John Cullin b. England and the above Josph Cullen b. Ireland to be the same man, citing the 1860 data as a census-taker recording error.

A lawyer. ^[30]

Sources

1. ↑ 1860 Census: "United States Census, 1860"
   citing Page: 95; Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Affiliate Publication Number: M653; Digital film/folder number: 005169953; FHL microfilm: 803371; Image number: 291; Packet letter: A; Indexing batch: N01721-9
   FamilySearch Record: MZB7-8H1 (accessed 23 February 2024)
   FamilySearch Image: 33S7-9B9J-4NZ
   Thos W Cullen (8) in District 2, Hardin, Kentucky, United States. Born in Ky.

   Name	Sex	Age	Occupation	Birth Place
   Josph Cullen	M	32		Ireland (sic)
   Elzabeth Cullen	F	32		Ky
   Thos W Cullen	M	8		Ky
   Ellen Cullen	F	6		Ky
   Mary C Cullen	F	4		Ky
   John D Cullen	M	2		Ky
   Mary A Cullen	F	0		Ky

2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} History of Gibson County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families. Stormont, Gil R., editor. Indianapolis : B.F.Bowen, 1914. p92, 144, 196, 199. Internet Archive. archive.org. booklink
3. ↑ Prince Lodge. princelodge.org. A brief history
4. ↑ I.O.O.F member as evidenced by burial in I.O.O.F. Princeton Lodge cemetery. See FindaGrave link
5. ↑ "Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VH42-M7B : 10 February 2018), Thomas W Cullen and Nannie Arbuthnot, 15 Sep 1875; citing Gibson, Indiana, United States, Marriage Registration, Indiana Commission on Public Records, Indianapolis; FHL microfilm 004003645.
6. ↑ son Elmer "Indiana Births and Christenings, 1773-1933", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4KY1-TK3Z : 13 January 2020), Thos. W Cullen in entry for Elmer Cullen, 1885.
7. ↑ "Indiana Death Index, 1882-1920," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VZ7L-XPK : 3 December 2014), Elmer Cullin, 13 Apr 1891, Indiana; from "Indiana Deaths, 1882-1920," database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2003); citing "The source of this record is the book CSS-2 on page 113 within the series produced by the Indiana Works Progress Administration." City Health Office, Princeton.
8. ↑ son John "Indiana Births and Christenings, 1773-1933", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4KBQ-ZHT2 : 13 January 2020), Thos. W. Cullin in entry for Cullin, 1889. (note: first name not given in transcript; bd 12 Nov 1889 )
9. ↑ "Indiana Births and Christenings, 1773-1933", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4KYQ-WJ6Z : 13 January 2020), Thos. W. Cullen in entry for Cullen, 1889.
10. ↑ "Indiana Births and Christenings, 1773-1933", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4KYT-ZF2M : 13 January 2020), Thos W. Cullin in entry for Cullin, 1895. (note: first name not given in transcript; bd 24 Mar 1895)
11. ↑ brother "Jimmie" FindaGrave: James Cullin
12. ↑ brother James obit transcript, publ. Dec 1877
13. ↑ son apparent Claude FindaGrave: Claude Cullin
14. ↑ A history of Evansville and Vanderburgh County, Indiana : a complete and concise account from the earliest times to the present, embracing reminiscences of the pioneers and biographical sketches of the men who have been leaders in commercial and other enterprises. Elliott, Joseph P. compiler, editor. Evansville, Ind. : Keller Print. Co, 1897. Internet Archive. archive.org p 164
15. ↑ "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHSK-TQ3 : 19 August 2017), T W Cullin, Union, Vanderburgh, Indiana, United States; citing enumeration district ED 71, sheet 162D, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm 1,254,316.
16. ↑ 1880 Union Twp map. historicevansvile.com. Image
17. ↑ father John FindaGrave: John Cullin; Obituary
18. ↑ Probable members of Evansville-Chestnut Street Church (203 Chestnut St), also called First Cumberland Presbyterian, merged with Grace Memorial Church in 1909, the original church razed in 1882. Later, possible members of CP Church in Princeton. no records have been located for these places of worship during this timeframe.
19. ↑ Vance, John L. The great flood of 1884 in the Ohio Valley. The rise and fall of the waters from Pittsburgh to Cairo ... together with useful and important information and statistics. Also, the work of the Gallipolis relief committee... . Gallipolis, O. : The Bulletin Office, 1884. Internet Archive. archive.org. p104
20. ↑ Mccutchan, Kenneth P. The Great Flood of 1884. Evansville Boneyard: John Babernich. evansvilleboneyard.org Article
21. ↑ The Indiana school journal. v.36. Indianapolis, Ind. : Indiana State Teachers' Association, 1891. hathitrust.org. p419-20, 483
22. ↑ The Indiana school journal. v.37. Indianapolis, Ind. : Indiana State Teachers' Association, 1892. hathitrust.org. p190, 528
23. ↑ List of Patrons of the Atlas of Gibson County, Indiana. Atlas of Gibson County. Boonville, Ind. : Hammond & Tillman Pub. Co., 1899. p6. Library of Congress Geography and Map Division Washington, D.C. USA.
24. ↑ 1900 Census: "United States Census, 1900"
    citing Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Affiliate Publication Number: T623; Line: 5; Digital film/folder number: 004118606; FHL microfilm: 1240372; Image number: 1159; Sheet number: 2; Sheet letter: A; Packet letter: A; Indexing batch: N00780-1
    FamilySearch Record: MM1Q-53V (accessed 23 February 2024)
    FamilySearch Image: S3HT-DZDC-XK
    Thomas W Cullen (49), married head of household in Patoka Township, Gibson, Indiana, United States. Born in Kentucky.

    Name	Sex	Race	Age	Status	Relation	Occupation	Birth Place
    Thomas W Cullen	M	White	49	Married	Head		Kentucky
    Nancy Cullen	F	White	46	Married	Wife		Indiana
    Estah Cullen	F	White	19	Single	Daughter		Indiana
    Myrtle Cullen	F	White	17	Single	Daughter		Indiana
    John Cullen	M	White	11	Single	Son		Indiana
    Argyle Cullen	M	White	9	Single	Son		Indiana
    Arnel Cullen	M	White	5	Single	Son		Indiana

25. ↑ 1910 Census: "United States Census, 1910"
    citing Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Affiliate Publication Number: T624; Digital film/folder number: 004971209; FHL microfilm: 1374364; Image number: 74; Sheet number: 2; Sheet letter: A; Packet letter: A; Indexing batch: N03355-8
    FamilySearch Record: MKGL-KCS (accessed 23 February 2024)
    FamilySearch Image: 33SQ-GRKM-9SMM
    Thomas W Cullen (57), married head of household in Princeton Ward 1, Gibson, Indiana, United States. Born in Kentucky.

    Name	Sex	Race	Age	Status	Relation	Occupation	Birth Place
    Thomas W Cullen	M	White	57	Married	Head		Kentucky
    Nancy J Cullen	F	White	55	Married	Wife		Indiana
    John W Cullen	M	White	20	Single	Son		Indiana
    Argyle B Cullen	M	White	18	Single	Son		Indiana
    Serral R Cullen	M	White	15	Single	Son		Indiana
    Florance Yochum	F	White	11	Single	Niece		Indiana

26. ↑ "United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MF7Z-XZH : accessed 3 March 2020), Thomas H Cullen, Princeton, Gibson, Indiana, United States; citing ED 18, sheet 1B, line 56, family 16, NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1992), roll 433; FHL microfilm 1,820,433.
27. ↑ 1930 Census: "United States Census, 1930"
    citing Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Affiliate Publication Number: T626; Line: 47; Digital film/folder number: 004950604; FHL microfilm: 2340323; Image number: 863; Sheet number: 2; Sheet letter: A; Packet letter: A; Indexing batch: N03982-3
    FamilySearch Record: XHMN-QC2 (accessed 23 February 2024)
    FamilySearch Image: 33S7-9R4V-6MS
    Thomas W Cullen (78), married head of household in Princeton, Gibson, Indiana, United States. Born in Kentucky.

    Name	Sex	Race	Age	Status	Relation	Occupation	Birth Place
    Thomas W Cullen	M	White	78	Married	Head		Kentucky
    Nancy J Cullen	F	White	76	Married	Wife		Indiana
    Oral R Cullen	M	White	32	Married	Son		Indiana

28. ↑ Burial: "Find A Grave Index"
    citing record ID 107253021, Find a Grave
    FamilySearch Record: QVL5-R6Y8 (accessed 23 February 2024)
    Find A Grave: Memorial #107253021
    Thomas Warren Cullen burial (died on 3 Mar 1939) in Princeton, Gibson, Indiana, United States of America. Born on 31 Oct 1851.
29. ↑ "United States, GenealogyBank Historical Newspaper Obituaries, 1815-2011", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPBM-V5PC : 19 February 2020), Gibson and Thomas W Cullen, 1939.
30. ↑ kittybrewster.com Table 58

Acknowledgments

• Arbuthnot Genealogy Archives. kittybrewster.com Table 58
• Family Search: Pedigree; Person Tree