My Genealogy Hound

Richard A. Cullor was born in Stokes County, North Carolina, June 1, 1836, and is a son of Joseph and Sarah (Mosier) Cullor, natives of the same county. The father was a man of considerable means, and engaged in farming, milling, distilling, and kept a store. He owned no slaves, hiring all his help. He died in North Carolina in 1838. Richard A. grew to manhood in his native county, and received a good education in Guilford County, N. C., at the Gordon College (Quaker institution), which he attended two years, but was obliged to leave on account of ill health. He afterward taught some in North Carolina and Putnam County, Mo. July 27, 1858, he was married in Stokes County to Miss Susan Laura Tilley, daughter of Aaron B. Tilley, who was a slaveholder and large farmer. There Mrs. Cullor was born and reared. In January, 1860, they went to Sangamon County, Ill., and, after living there a few months, came to Missouri, settling first in Shelby County. In the fall of 1863 they came to Putnam County, locating about half a mile from his present residence. He now owns 510 acres of land in the home place, all fenced, and the greater part fine bottom land on Locust Creek. His land is well improved, and he lives in a good two-story brick and basement residence, with accompanying outbuildings, orchard, etc. In 1864 Mr. Cullor enlisted in the Twelfth Missouri Cavalry, and served until discharged, April 13, 1866. A stranger in the community, without friends or relatives, and destitute of the necessities of life, he was forced into the service though religiously opposed to war - forced to espouse that which he most disliked, or lose his life. At that time one of the most active men in this vicinity was an influential Freemason, who, among other cruelties, ordered to be shot Rev. John L.Wood, of Sullivan County, for no reason save that he was a Democrat in principles. He participated in the Nashville fight and several skirmishes, but his duty called him on the plains, hunting Indians, from the 1st of July, 1865, to April 13, 1866. During this time his command missed their supply train, and for twenty days they were without rations, surrounded by Indians, and obliged to subsist on wild-rose berries, buds, etc., and the flesh of horses and mules. Although suffering such hardships as these, they were not without their good effects, for it was during this period that Mr. Cullor was cured of a serious disease contracted while in the South. Politically he was a Democrat, but has never sought or held office, except as president for two years of Putnam County Association - an organization opposed to secret societies - which called forth such opposition and hatred that his life was twice endangered. His son, Luther, was wrongfully imprisoned for over three years. In other ways Mr. Cullor has been greatly persecuted, and has been literally deprived of property aggregating the sum of nearly $7,000. For all this, however, he holds no revenge, and, as he expresses it, is thankful to God for His mercy and grace. He has eleven children: Jeptha T. (married in Colorado), Jasper E. (who died when ten months old), Martin L., Joseph R., Eliza Frances (wife of David Haup, of Kansas), Minnie L., Lee Lora, Richard A., Mary Ida, Willie Mettie and Neal Fred.