Twentieth Century Negro Literature | Page 8

regarded as one of the brightest

students in his class, excelling in the study of the Hebrew language and
theology. He graduated from this seminary in the spring of 1879.
Now came the most trying time in the life of the young man who had
been sated with frequent conquests while in the pursuit of knowledge.
Dr. Culp was assigned to an humble Presbyterian Church at Laurens, S.
C., under the auspices of the Freedman's Board of the Northern
Presbyterian Church. His work was to preach and teach at that place.
He remained at Laurens one year, when he was called to the pastorate
of Laura Street Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville, Fla.
In the fall of 1881 he was appointed principal of Stanton Institute, the
largest colored college in the state of Florida. For a while he filled both
the pastorate of the church and the principalship of Stanton, but finding
it impracticable to hold both he finally resigned the pastorate, after
having served the church for five years. He was principal of Stanton
four years. Rev. F. J. Grimke, D. D., succeeded Dr. Culp as pastor of
Laura Street Presbyterian Church.
Desiring to help his people in what is known as the "black belt" of
Florida, he severed his connection with the Stanton Institute and went
to Lake City and established the Florida Normal and Industrial Institute.
There he prepared many young men and women to teach in the district
schools. This school was operated under the General Congregational
Association of Florida, of which Dr. Culp is a member.
In 1886 he accepted an appointment from the American Missionary
Association to take charge of the church and school at Florence, Ala.
He did not remain there long before the same board appointed him to
the pastorate of the First Congregational Church in Nashville, Tenn. It
was here that Dr. Culp became deeply concerned about the physical
salvation of his race. To fit himself to do actual work along this line, he
resigned his pastorate over the strongest protests of his members, and
entered the Medical School of the University of Michigan, at Ann
Arbor. After remaining in this college for some time, studying with the
avidity and success of former years, he left and entered the Ohio
Medical College, where he could enjoy the advantages of the study of
the superior hospital facilities. Here he graduated with honors in 1891,

and again came South, locating in Augusta, Ga.
Shortly after his arrival in Augusta, Dr. Culp having demonstrated his
high capabilities and fitness, was elected by the City Council to be
superintendent and resident physician of the Freedmen's Hospital in
that city. This position was coveted by several white physicians, hence
the election of Dr. Culp created no small stir. The excitement was great
for some time. Finally it became apparent that to continue to hold this
position would be hazardous in a number of ways, and upon the advice
of his wife and friends Dr. Culp resigned, after serving one year.
Afterwards he built up an excellent practice of medicine in the city of
Augusta, but owing to the fast failing health of his family he moved to
Palatka, Fla., and after two years of successful practice he moved to
Jacksonville to give his children, a promising girl and boy, the
advantages of the schools.
After remaining in Jacksonville for about seven years, Dr. Culp yielded
to the entreaties of the people of Palatka and returned to that city,
where he now is, having won the fullest confidence of the people as a
successful physician.
Dr. Culp married Mrs. Mary Emily Jefferson, of Jacksonville, in 1884.
She was at that time a prominent teacher in the public schools of that
city. His union has been blessed with two children, a girl, Charlotte
Marilla, fourteen years old, and Julian McKenzie, twelve years old.
Dr. and Mrs. Culp are both profoundly interested in the education of
these children, hoping to fit them to be useful to their race.
Dr. Culp is classed as a thorough race man. Freed from the monstrous
visions which many delight to parade as arguments, he abides by a
strong faith in the destiny of the valuable elements of his race. That his
people are destined to reach a high point in civilization has been his
private conviction for years, not being very free, however, to say that
this will be attained in America.
Dr. Culp also seriously believes that if the race problem is ever solved

in this country, it will be done by the combined efforts of the intelligent
elements of both races. His great interest in the physical salvation of his
race has moved him to both lecture extensively and write books and
pamphlets on health topics during the past seven years. Notable among
these are