John Francis Culpepper

Male, #35345, (2 Nov 1863 - 5 Dec 1906)

Parent*John Malcolm Culpepper (13 Nov 1835 - 10 Jan 1927)
Parent*Sarah Ann Elizabeth Stephens (22 Oct 1839 - 21 Jul 1906)
John Francis Culpepper|b. 2 Nov 1863\nd. 5 Dec 1906|p35345.htm|John Malcolm Culpepper|b. 13 Nov 1835\nd. 10 Jan 1927|p32460.htm|Sarah Ann Elizabeth Stephens|b. 22 Oct 1839\nd. 21 Jul 1906|p32461.htm|Rev. William H. Culpepper|b. 17 Oct 1813\nd. 22 Mar 1909|p32073.htm|Sarah Leslie|b. 15 Feb 1808\nd. 22 Jan 1849|p32074.htm|||||||

Name Variation  John Francis Culpepper was also known as Frank. 
Birth*2 Nov 1863 John was born at Randolph Co., Alabama, on 2 Nov 1863. 
 He was the son of John Malcolm Culpepper and Sarah Ann Elizabeth Stephens. 
1870 Census1870 William, Sarah, John, Daniel and Robert listed as a household member living with John Malcolm Culpepper on the 1870 Census at Louina, Randolph Co., Alabama. 35 m-p. 572 hh 18. 
1880 Census*1880 John, Daniel, Robert and Capos was listed as a son in John Malcolm Culpepper's household on the 1880 Census at Randolph Co., Alabama. 46 m-Beat 8 ED 111-19. 
Marriage*3 Sep 1885 He married Florence M. Johnson at Grant Co., Arkansas, on 3 Sep 1885.1 
Photographed*say 1900 He was photographed say 1900 at Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas.2
Frank Culpepper
1900 Census*1900 John was listed as the head of a family on the 1900 Census at Vaugine Township, Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas. 37 m-ED 103 p. 8. 
Death*5 Dec 1906 He died at Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas, on 5 Dec 1906. Gunshot wound. 
Burial*7 Dec 1906 His body was interred on 7 Dec 1906 at Pine Ridge Cemetery, Grant Co., Arkansas.3 
Biography* John Francis Culpepper was the son of John Malcolm and Sarah Ann Elizabeth (Stephens) Culpepper. He was born and raised in Randolph Co., AL. Sometime after the 1880 census, Frank's parents went by wagon train to Grant Co., AR and Frank is presumed to have gone with them.

In 1885, he married Florence M. Johnson. Mrs. D. W. (Lavyn Wright) Sisco wrote4 that "about 1885-1887," Frank and his younger brother, Dan Culpepper, went to Hopkins Co., TX. Lavyn continued:5

They were looking for good farming land.... Uncle Frank returned to Ark.6 and didn't return.

Frank joined the Pine Bluff, AR police force and served as a patrolman and then as a city detective before being appointed chief of police by Mayor H. King White.7 He served several years in that capacity until he retired in April 1905.7

Frank then went to work as a night watchman for the Bluff City Lumber Company.7 Shortly after midnight, on December 5, 1906, he detained a trespasser that he found on the property.("J. Frank Culpepper Killed by Negro Miscreant Early Today," unknown Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., AR paper, possibly the Weekly Graphic 5 Dec 1906) Frank intended to turn the man over to the police and kept the man ahead of him as they went up the steps to the office where there was a phone; but, at the top of the steps, the man turned and fired twice, hitting Frank below the heart and in his left leg.7 Frank shot three times killing the man.7 Frank was then taken to his home where he died a few hours later.7 The man was later identified as Eli Tilford who had been arrested previously for carrying a razor.7 

Family

Florence M. Johnson (1 Sep 1868 - 13 Jul 1950)
Children

Charts Descendants of John Francis Culpepper of Jefferson Co., AR
Last Edited 31 Jan 2004

Citations

  1. Book E, p. 13.
  2. E-mail from Tommie Sue Reeves Smith, e-mail address, 942 Clarice, Grand Prairie, TX 75051 to Lew Griffin, numerous e-mails.
  3. USGenWeb Archives.
    http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm
    Pine Ridge Cemetery, Grant County, Arkansas, contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: William W. Henry.
  4. letter 15 Apr 1994
  5. summary of the children of John Malcolm Culpepper
  6. probably around 1890-91 based on the birth dates and locations of the children
  7. "J. Frank Culpepper Killed by Negro Miscreant Early Today," unknown Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., AR paper, possibly the Weekly Graphic 5 Dec 1906