George Bacon Culpepper

Male, #34340, (4 Dec 1899 - 7 Oct 1972)

Parent*Rev. George Bright Culpepper (29 Mar 1866 - 12 Oct 1948)
Parent*Lillian Mattox Shepard (13 Sep 1871 - 18 Nov 1939)
George Bacon Culpepper|b. 4 Dec 1899\nd. 7 Oct 1972|p34340.htm|Rev. George Bright Culpepper|b. 29 Mar 1866\nd. 12 Oct 1948|p33303.htm|Lillian Mattox Shepard|b. 13 Sep 1871\nd. 18 Nov 1939|p33306.htm|Dr. James M. Culpepper|b. 1 Feb 1823\nd. 11 Feb 1898|p32364.htm|Lucinda B. O'Daniel|b. 18 Sep 1825\nd. 31 Jan 1910|p32365.htm|Charles W. Shepard|b. 31 Jul 1847\nd. 15 Dec 1906|p25407.htm|Mary E. Mattox|b. 31 Oct 1848\nd. 4 Feb 1929|p25408.htm|

Birth*4 Dec 1899 George was born at Fort Valley, Houston Co., Georgia, on 4 Dec 1899.1,2,3 
 He was the son of Rev. George Bright Culpepper and Lillian Mattox Shepard. 
Employment* George's occupation: attorney. 
1900 Census1 Jun 1900 Caughey and George was listed as a son in Rev. George Bright Culpepper's household on the 1900 Census at Fort Valley, Houston Co., Georgia.4 
Photographedcirca 1903 Rev. George Bright Culpepper was photographed The Rev. George Bright Culpepper, standing, with children Caughey Branham, born 1897; Marion, born 1895; George Bacon, born 1899; and in front, John Shepard, born 1901. circa 1903 at Fort Valley, Houston Co., Georgia.5
George Bright Culpepper family
1910 Census15 Apr 1910 Caughey, George, John, Thomas and Charles was listed as a son in Rev. George Bright Culpepper's household on the 1910 Census at Fort Valley, Houston Co., Georgia.6 
Marriage*24 Apr 1919 He married Mary Elizabeth Adams at Houston Co., Georgia, on 24 Apr 1919.7 
1920 Census1 Jan 1920 Caughey, George, John, Charles and Thomas was listed as a son in Rev. George Bright Culpepper's household on the 1920 Census at Fort Valley, Houston Co., Georgia.8 
1930 Census*1 Apr 1930 George was listed as the head of a family on the 1930 Census at Fort Valley, Peach Co., Georgia.9 
Death*7 Oct 1972 He died at Fort Valley, Peach Co., Georgia, on 7 Oct 1972.10,3 
Burial*circa 9 Oct 1972 His body was interred circa 9 Oct 1972 at Oaklawn Cemetery, Fort Valley, Peach Co., Georgia.2 
Biography* Mrs. John (Dorothy Culpepper) Wingfield preserved a 25 page typed manuscript "ONE FAMILY - CULPEPPER" written by her grandfather, Rev. George Bright Culpepper, which noted:

This brings me to December 1899 and to the birth of my second son, on December 4, 1899. To this son we gave the name of George Bacon, for his father and Miss Mary Bacon, one of the teachers at Georgia State College for Women, located at Milledgeville. He grew to manhood and during the first World War worked for the Government in the War Department.

In April 1919 he married Miss Mary Adams of Atlanta. They have one son and one daughter. To the son, born December 26, 1920, they gave the name of George Brown Culpepper....

George Bacon was born in Fort Valley, Georgia, in what we called the Branch House - it having been the home of Reverend Frank Branch. The place is now (Oct. 5, 1942) owned and occupied by William M. Wright....

George B. Culpepper, Jr., is a lawyer in Fort Valley, Georgia, and has the largest clientele of any lawyer in the town or county; I would say in the counties of Peach, Houston, Crawford and Macon. He is a Mason, a steward in the Methodist Church, a Major in 4th Corps Area - a splendid man and a good lawyer.

He has had pneumonia four times, the first attack being when he was three months old. At one time, the doctor said that he was dead; but God spared him. Again when he was 14 he had pneumonia. In 1918 he had flu and pneumonia in Atlanta. Again in 1919 he had an operation for the removal of his appendix followed by pneumonia. For 18 years he has suffered from neuralgia of the heart - called by some doctors pseudo-angina. He has bronchitis several times. His energy and a good wife and the Good Lord have kept him going until this day (Oct. 6, 1942).

He is retained by the Central of Georgia Railroad for that district.... In the fall of that year [1901] we moved to the house on the corner of College Street and Everett Square, now owned and occupied by Henry M. Branham. We lived there but a few months but long enough for Marion and Caughey and George to have scarlet fever. On December 18, 1901, we moved across that Square to what was known as the Henry Harris House - still on the corner of College Street and Everett Square.

The following excerpt is from p. 228 of the History of Peach County: George Bacon Culpepper studied law in the office of his uncle, Charles Leighton Shepard, stood the State Bar Examination and later was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States. He was an attorney in Fort Valley for over fifty years.

The following is from Mrs. F. D. (Lee Collins) Hale from an unknown source: Lawyer, admitted to Georgia Bar in 1923. Was chief of Selective Service System in Georgia from 1918 to 1919. Was in insurance business in Fort Valley GA., 1920-1922. Was a member, and vice chariman, board of trustees, and chairman, investment co., Employees Retirement System of GA., 1949-1963. Was a member of the governor's staff, 1948-1963. Was an Honorary Vice President, American Sunday School Union, 1958--. Was a member of the American Bar Association; American Judicature Society; National Railroad Trial Counsel Assn. Was a Methodist, Mason, and Kiwanian.

George B. Culpepper was also listed in "Who's Who in the South and Southwest" in 1973: "Lawyer: b. Fort Valley. GA, 4 Dec 1899: s. George B.and Lillian (Shepard) Culpepper: student pub. schs; m. Mary Elizabeth Adams, 24 Apr 1919; children-George B. III, Mary Lillian (Mrs. Robert Lawson Harris). Admitted to GA bar. 1923: chief Selective System. GA. 1918-19: ins. bus.. Ft. Valley, GA, 1920-22; mem., Vice chmn. bd. trustees and chmn. investment com. Employees Retirement System of GA, 1949-63. Mem. Govs. staff, 1948-63. Hon. v. p. Am. Sunday Sch. Union. 1958-. Mem. GA Gov.'s Staff. 1971-. Mem. Am. Bar Assn., Am. Judicature Soc., Nat. Railroad Trial Counsel Assn. Methodist. Mason. Kiwanian. Home: 401 Forrest Dr Ft Valley GA 31030 Office: 206 Central Av Ft Valley GA 31030"

Mrs. Eleanor (Culpepper) Willingham sent the following from p. 3 of the "Hogansville Herald" for 1 Feb 1996: "Union Baptist" By Robert L. Harris, Pastor The late George B. Culpepper, Jr. of Fort Valley, Georgia was considered by many to be the best trial lawyer in the state. He was also a widely respected Sunday School teacher. For many years his lessons to the adult class in the Methodist Church could be heard every Sunday morning over WFPM. He frequently used Biblical truths or stories in the courtroom. This proved bothersome to one well know prosecutor from Macon who was often Mr. Culpepper's opponent in court. Once the prosecutor made the mistake of ridiculing Mr. Culpepper's use of the Bible in the defense of his clients. This prosecutor, in his first statement to one jury, warned them as follows: "Mr. Culpepper" he said, "Is probably going to quote lo you something out of the Bible, but I can tell you now that the Bible doesn't have anything to do with this case." Mr. Culpepper's opening words to the jury have never been forgotten by anyone who heard them. They are still often quoted in legal and civic circles in this state and beyond. "lt is strange," he replied, "that our learned prosecutor should take exception to my use of the Bible in this court room. He says the Bible has nothing to do with this cause. But you well know that every witness in this case will be asked to put his hand on the Bible and swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Furthermore, the very laws by which we decide cases in every court in this country can be traced back to the 10 commandments in this Bible. If ever the time comes when the Bible has nothing to do with any case in this court, we are in deep trouble." Well, we still use the Bible to swear in witnesses, but we've taken the 10 commandments off the walls of our court houses and our schools, and we are in deep trouble in this country.
.
The following is from The Butler Herald, Thursday, March 13, 1919. Vol. XXXXIII, No. 18.
.
G.B. Culpepper, Jr., Makes Fine Business Record
.
The Taylor county friends of the Culpepper family, who for many years were citizens of this county and highly esteemed by all, shares with the people of Fort Valley in appreciation of the record made and honors conferred upon Mr. Geo. B. Culpepper, Jr., as referred to in the following which is reproduced from the Fort Valley Ledger-Tribune:
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A Fort Valley boy's record is always gratifying to our people when it is won by conscientious effort. We take pleasure therefore, in saying a few things about Geo B. Culpepper, Jr., who for the past fifteen months has been connected with the State Military Department in Atlanta.
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By order of Provost Marshal General Crowder, and by direction of Governor Dorsey, George B. Culpepper, Jr., was appointed Inspector, for the purpose of assisting in the supervision of the final work of the Selective Draft Board in the State of Georgia.
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This appointment of Inspector is a testimonial of high order to the ability and efficiency of this young man, inasmuch as this work is committed to the hands of skilled lawyers and efficiency experts.
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Mr. Culpepper has received generous recognition at the hands of authorities over him and the several promotions he has received are evidence of his ability and satisfactory service.
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On December 10, 1917, he was appointed Chief Clerk to Major W.C. Lyle, Medical Aide to Governor Dorsey.
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On May 18, 1918, he was made Private Secretary to Major Joel B. Mallet, Officer in Charge of the Selective Service Law in the State of Georgia.
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On July 1st, 1918, he was made Head of Mobilization Department in Georgia, and while occupying this position he had direct supervision of the mobilization of thirty-five thousand soldiers.
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On December 1st, 1918, he was appointed Chief Clerk of entire State Military Department as successor to Maj. Jno. T. Dorsey.
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Mr. Culpepper was the only employee of the State Military Department for whom the Governor felt authorized to claim deferred classification on the ground of being necessary employee of the United States Government. 

Family

Mary Elizabeth Adams (21 Mar 1901 - 19 Jan 1997)
Children

Charts Descendants of Dr. James Marion Culpepper Taylor Co., GA
Last Edited 20 Jan 2005

Citations

  1. George Bright Culpepper, One Family - Culpepper, James Marion Culpepper family, 25 page, typed manuscript, unpub., 8 Oct 1942.
    p 17 'the Branch House.'
  2. Oak Lawn Cemetery Records, Fort Valley, Peach Co., GA.
    George Bacon Culpepper, 4 Dec 1899 - 7 Oct 1972.
  3. U.S. Social Security Administration, compiler, Social Security Death Index (SSDI), Online database at Ancestry.com.
    http://www.ancestry.com/search/rectype/vital/ssdi/main.htm
    George Culpepper, 4 Dec 1899 - Oct 1972, Fort Valley, Peach Co., GA, SSN 258-60-6286 issued in Georgia in 1956
    (Why it is safe to publish Social Security numbers for deceased people: http://gen.culpepper.com/about/socialsecurity.htm).
  4. 1900 Federal Census, United States.
    ED 10, Page 120B (12), Family 316, Fort Valley, Houston Co., GA
    George Culpepper, Head, M, Mar 1866, 34, Md 7 yrs., GA/GA/GA, Life Ins. Agt.
    Lillian Culpepper, Wife, F, Aug 1871, 28, Md 7 yrs, ch 3/3, GA/GA/GA
    Marion Culpepper, Daughter, F, Jan 1895, 5, Sng, GA/GA/GA
    Branham Culpepper, Son, M, Nov 1897, 3, Sng, GA/GA/GA
    Geo. B. W. Culpepper, Son, M, Nov 1899, 6/12, Sng, GA/GA/GA.
  5. Correspondence from Dorothy Alice Culpepper (Mrs. John D. Wingfield), Perry, GA, to Lew Griffin, 1993.
  6. 1910 Federal Census, United States.
    ED 42, Page 2B, Lines 68-77, Fort Valley, Houston Co., GA
    George B. Culpepper Sr, Head, M, 44, Md3-17 yrs, GA/GA/GA, Real Est. Agt.
    Lillian Culpepper, Wife, F, 38, Md2-17 yrs, ch 7/6, GA/GA/GA
    Marion Culpepper, Daughter, F, 15, Sng, GA/GA/GA
    Charley M. Culpepper, Son, M, 13, Sng, GA/GA/GA
    George B. Culpepper Jr., Son, M, 11, Sng, GA/GA/GA
    John S. Culpepper, Son, M, 9, Sng, GA/GA/GA
    Thomas J. Culpepper, Son, M, 7, Sng, GA/GA/GA
    Charles L. Culpepper, Son, M, 3, Sng, GA/GA/GA
    Joseph R. Culpepper, Brother, M, 53, Sng, GA/GA/GA, Book Agt
    Carrie C. Culpepper, Sister, F, 49, Sng, GA/GA/GA.
  7. William R. Henry, compiler, Houston County, Georgia, Marriages, Book E, 1896-1919, Warner Robbins, GA: Central Georgia Genealogical Society, 1989.
    George Bacon Culpepper and Mary Elizabeth Adams, 24 Apr 1919, Houston Co., GA.
  8. 1920 Federal Census, United States.
    ED 44, Page 2A, Lines 20-29, College St., Fort Valley, Houston Co., GA
    Geo B. Culpepper, Head, M, 53, Md, GA/GA/GA, Insurance Agt.
    Lilla Culpepper, Wife, F, 48, Md, GA/GA/GA
    Caughey Culpepper, Son, M, 22, Md, GA/GA/GA, Insurance Agt
    Vesta Culpepper, Daughter-in-law, F, 22, Md, GA/GA/GA
    George Culpepper, Son, M, 20, Md, GA/GA/GA, Clerk/Federal Govt
    Mary Culpepper, Daughter-in-law, F, 19, Md, GA/GA/GA
    John Culpepper, Son, M, 18, Sng, GA/GA/GA, Clerk/Railway
    Thomas Culpepper, Son, M, 16, Sng, GA/GA/GA
    Charles Culpepper, Son, M, 12, Sng, GA/GA/GA
    Carrie Culpepper, Sister, F, 58, Sng, GA/GA/GA.
  9. 1930 Federal Census, United States.
    ED 3, page 2A; Everette Square, Fort Valley, GA, Home=$3500, Radio=Y, Farm=N
    George B. Culpepper, Head, M, W, 30, M, md @ 19, GA, GA, GA, Attorney at law
    E. Mary Culpepper, Wife, F, W, 29, M, md @ 18, AL, AL, AL
    B. George Culpepper III, Son, M, W, 9, S, GA, GA, AL
    L. Mary Culpepper, Daughter, F, W, 5, S, GA, GA, AL
    George B. Culpepper, Father, M, W, 64, M, md @ 37[sic], GA, GA, GA, Preacher
    M. Lillian Culpepper, Mother, F, W, 58, M, md @ 22, GA, GA, GA.
  10. Georgia Health Department / Office of Vital Records, compiler, Georgia Deaths, 1919-1998, Online database at Ancestry.com, 1998.
    http://www.ancestry.com/search/rectype/inddbs/5426a.htm
    George B. Culpepper, d. 7 Oct 1972 at 72 years in Peach Co., GA; Res. in Peach Co., GA.