EDWARD M. CULLIN, a prosperous farmer of Washington township,
Clay county, and a local leader of the Democracy, is a native of Bowling
Green, that township, born on the 13th of April, 1861. His father, Thomas
Cullin, was a native of Ireland, and at the death of his mother, when he
was eighteen years of age, he came to America with his three sisters and
one brother. Their first location was at Venice, Ohio, where Thomas
learned the blacksmith’s trade and assisted in the support of the family.
Later he removed to Bowling Green and continued the same occupation,
but in 1865 he abandoned his trade and commenced a remarkably suc-
cessful career as a farmer. Eventually he was the owner of six hundred
acres of valuable land. He walked into Bowling Green without a dollar
in his pocket, and at his death was among the wealthiest men in the
township. His widow, who was formerly Miss Mary A. Moss, is still
alive, being the mother of five children—three sons and two daughters,
of whom all are living except one daughter who died in infancy.
    Edward M., who is the second child and the oldest son of the family,
lived on the farm with his parents until he was twenty-two years of age,
when (October 15, 1882) he married Belle Duffield, His wife was born
November 16, 1863, at Bowling Green, Clay county, and is the daughter
of Dr. James T. and Caroline (Markle) Duffleld. Dr. Duffield, who was
a native of Illinois, died in October, 1882. His widow was born in Rob-
roy, Indiana, and was the mother of four children, of whom Mrs. Cullin
is the third. Mrs. Duffield herself died on the 2nd of January, 1888.
    Edward M. Cullin was educated in the Bowling Green school, and
when he married he rented a farm of his father, which he operated until
the death of the latter. At the division of the estate be received one
hundred and thirty-one acres, one hundred and one acres of which is
located in sections 13 and 14, and the remainder in section 24. He en-
larged and rebuilt the old farm house, erected a modern barn and other
necessary buildings, and brought everything up to the present-day
standard. He conducts a general farming btisiness, and although he
keeps a good breed of stock it is only raised for family use. The children
born to Mr. and Mrs. Edward M. Cullin are as follows: Cora R., now
the wife of Ernest Drake, of Bowling Green ; Nellie and Smith C., living
at home; Ivan and Jennie C., deceased Robert T., George S., Hazel A.,
Mary B. and Catherine I., also residing with their parents. Mr. Cullin is
a Mason in high standing, being a member of Clay lodge No. 85, Bowling
Green, and is also identified with the Sons of Veterans, having been
appointed color bearer of the G. A. R. post No. 373 of that place. In
politics he is a Democrat and served as a delegate to the congressional
convention held at Rockville, Indiana, on the 26th of May, 1908.