W. H. CULLIMORE is engaged in the manufacture of fruit package boxes in Centralia. This is one of the leading industries of the place, and the owner is now carrying on operations on quite an extensive scale. As he is widely and favorably known in this community, we feel assured that the record of his life will prove of interest to many of our readers, and therefore gladly gave it a place in this volume.
Mr. Cullimore was born in New York City, January 1, 1837, and is a son of Thomas and Jane Cullimore. His parents were married in England, their native land, about 1820, and emigrating to America, located in New York, where the father followed his trade of boiler-making. In 1837, he removed with his family to Cleveland, Ohio, and a few years later embarked in business for himself as a boiler-maker, continuing operations along that line until his death, which occurred in 1860. His wife passed away in 1864. He was a successful business man, and built up a large manufactory in Cleveland. He held membership with the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Our subject is the only survivor in a family of three children. He was reared and educated in Cleveland, and after attaining to mature years followed fanning in Cuyalioga County, Ohio. In the city of Cleveland in 1857 was celebrated his marriage with Miss Eliza, daughter of James Cullimore, who was also a native of England. The lady was born in Baltimore, Md., and reared near Cleveland, and in that locality the young couple began their domestic life upon a farm, which continued to he their home until the autumn of 1860, when they removed to Baltimore.
In May, 1861, Mr. Cullimore enlisted in Company G, First Maryland Infantry. He entered the service as a private, but was made Third Sergeant, then Orderly-Sergeant, afterward Sergeant-Major, and later became Second Lieutenant. He participated in the battle of Winchester, and on the 23d of May, 1862, at Port Royal, was captured by Stonewall Jackson. He was sent to Lynchburg, and thence to Belle Isle, and four months later was taken to Annapolis, where on the 17th of September he was exchanged. He then rejoined his regiment, which went to the Shenandoah Valley, and did guard duty at Maryland Heights until July 2, 1863, when they started across the mountains to head off Lee's Cavalry. Mr. Cullimore was sent to Baltimore on recruiting service, and on the expiration of his three months' term was there mustered out, June 30, 1864.
Our subject then returned to his old farm near Cleveland, where he remained two years, and in 1868 he came to Centralia. He bought a fruit farm of forty-two acres within the city limits, on which was a twelve-acre orchard of apple and peach trees. Much of the land he planted in strawberries and for twenty years was the most extensive strawberry raiser of this locality. He was very successful in his undertakings, and the fine fruit which he grew found a ready sale in the market. In 1888, however, he retired from business life and is now enjoying a well earned rest from that enterprise. He is now managing the factory where are manufactured boxes in which to ship fruit.
Mr. Cullimore takes a very active part in political affairs and is a stanch supporter of the Republican party.
In March, 1889, he was appointed Postmaster of Centralia, and filled that office until July, 1893. He has also been Alderman of the city. Socially, he is connected with the Grand Army of the Republic, and both he and his wife are faithful members of the Baptist Church. The best interests of the community ever receive the hearty support and co-operation of Mr. Cullimore, whose progressive and public-spirited measures have made him one of the leading citizens of his adopted county.
Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois"
Chapman Publishing Co, Chicago, 1894
Pages 213-214
Submitted by Sandy (Whalen) Bauer