JOHN CULB, a prosperous farmer of the town of Oregon, was born in the province of Bavaria, Germany, on September 11, 1848, and is one of three children born to Henry and Elizabeth (Brown) Culb both of whom are also natives of the Fatherland, where the father served six years in the German army.John Culb was reared to manhood in Bavaria and his education was limited to three months during which he attended a public school there. He was the only one of the family who ever came to America, and in 1867, when but nineteen years old, he bade adieu to home and kinsfolk and sailed for the land of better opportunities.

Coming directly to Dane county, Wis., he worked as a farm hand for the first eight years, and then began independent farming by renting land, which method he followed until 1890. During the later year he moved to the village of Oregon and purchased a house and three lots near the Northwestern Railway station, where he resided four years and which property he still owns. In 1894 he purchased in the valley of Oregon, the homestead where he now resides, comprising eight acres, and in 1905 bought another house with four and three-fourths acres of land adjoining the place of his residence.

His career has been a successful one, but it appears the more remarkable when it is known that he came to America unable to speak or comprehend a word of the English language, and with a decidedly limited education in his native tongue. But he applied himself assiduously, not only his work but to books and periodicals, and by a constant practice of this and he has not only succeeded in a material sense but he is as well posted on current topics as the average man in any community.

In politics he maintains an independent attitude and gives his support to men and measures that meet the approval of his better judgment regardless of party label or partisan prejudice. He and his wife are consistent members of the Lutheran church.

Mr. Culb was married on May 1, 1876, the lady of his choice being Miss Catherine Goerges, a native of Milwaukee, where she was born on July 7, 1853. She is one of twelve children born to Henry and Catherine Goerges, who now reside in Middleton, Wis. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Culb: Lucy Elizabeth married Matthew Parr and resides in Beloit, Wis.; Anna is employed in the city of Madison; Lena resides with an uncle in Minnesota; Henry George is at home; Mary married William Ward and resides in Brooklyn, Wis.; and Frederick, John, Janette, Edward and Earnest Mark reside at home.

1906 History of Dane County, Wisconsin, p. 209-210.