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HARVEY J. CULP. The firm of Culp, Troxell & Co., in the real estate and insurance business, is one of the most prominent in Springfield. In the insurance line they do the leading business of the city and their success is justly merited by the senior member, who possesses the genius of hard work and other eminent qualifications for that line of work. Mr. Culp is a young man of more than ordinary intelligence, with the conversational powers and cordial manners which secure popularity in society, backed by a manly and Christian character.

The birthplace of our subject was near Columbus, Ohio, and his natal day March 24, 1857. His parents are Levi and Mary (Tomlinson) Culp, the father being a farmer. He of whom we write was still in his infancy when his parents removed to the Hoosier State and grew to his youth on the farm there. His studies were pursued in the common schools, which, under the educational system in vogue in Indiana were most excellent, and the lad acquired a large amount of practical knowledge.

The first business occupation of Mr. Culp was that of a clerk in a book and stationery establishment in Logansport, Ind., and he continued in the same work ten years, changing to the establishment of W. C. Patterson & Co., in Springfield, Ill., in 1874. He next engaged in the drug business with his half-brother, H. H. Glidden, following which he was interested in various ways for a few years, three being spent in the Far West. Mr. Culp returned to Springfield to assume a position in the office of the Illinois Watch Company, retaining it until 1884. He then embarked in the insurance business, in which his fitness for its routine has won its reward. In January, 1888, Mr. Culp associated W. S. Troxell with himself, the firm name becoming Culp, Troxell & Co. For somewhat more than a year the firm has also been doing a real-estate business.

The wife of Mr. Culp bore the maiden name of Laura Linn Troxell. Their marriage rites were celebrated December 22, 1880, and have been blest by the birth of two children - Harvey T. and Mary Louise. Mrs. Culp is a daughter of the late William Troxell, one of the early settlers in this county, was carefully reared by her parents and is a well-informed, well-bred lady. Both Mr. and Mrs. Culp belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Culp is Chancellor Commander of Navarre Lodge, No. 142, K. of P., and is also a member of the finest lodge in the city - that of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mr. Culp is Secretary of the local board of fire underwriters, a position which he has held for the past three years. He is also Clerk of Court No. 454, Camp of Modern Woodmen of America, the largest camp in America, which position he has held for the past two years.