Charles Allen Culberson (June 10, 1855 – March 19, 1925) was an American political figure and Democrat who served as the 21st governor of Texas from 1895 to 1899, and as a United States senator from Texas from 1899 to 1923.
According to one study, Culberson belonged (like Jim Hogg, his predecessor as governor) “to a stream of Texas liberal populism.”
Early life and education
Charles Allen Culberson was born on June 10, 1855, in Dadeville, Alabama, to Eugenia (née Kimbal) and David Browning Culberson. His father was a Democratic politician. Culberson's family moved to Texas in 1856, settling first in Gilmer and later in Jefferson.
Culberson attended Virginia Military Institute, graduating in 1874, and subsequently studied law under his father and then at the University of Virginia at Charlottesville in 1876 and 1877. In 1877 he was admitted to the bar in Daingerfield, Texas, and commenced practice in Jefferson, later moving to Dallas in 1887.
Political career
Texas state politics
Culberson's political career began with his election as Attorney General of Texas in 1890, a position he held until 1895, after campaigning for and winning the governor's race in November 1894. During his tenure as governor, a wide range of reforms were carried out.
After serving two terms as governor, he was elected to the U.S. Senate as a Democrat on January 25, 1899.
Culberson was reelected in 1905, 1911, and, again, by popular vote in 1916, when health problems and alcoholism prevented him from campaigning in Texas but did not prevent his reelection. However, his health and opposition to the Ku Klux Klan finally led to the loss of his seat in the Democratic primary in 1922.
He was succeeded by fellow Democrat Earle Bradford Mayfield, the outgoing member of the Texas Railroad Commission.
thumb|160px|Sallie Harrison Culberson and daughter Mary
While serving in the senate, Culberson was described by labor leader Samuel Gompers as “a courageous, faithful and able advocate of the people’s demand for labor and for progressive legislation.”
Personal life
Culberson married Sallie Harrison on December 7, 1882. They had one daughter, Mary Harrison.