Lake Maxinkuckee Its Intrigue History & Genealogy Culver, Marshall, Indiana

Knight K. Culver  



15 Knight K. Culver b. 21 Feb. 1878 Missouri; m. aft Apr. 1900 Laura M. [-?-] b. 1880 Missouri

On his World War I Draft registration card is vitals and he described himself as tall, medium build, eyes blues and hair light.

68 Preston Road Columbus, Ohio The twenty-two room house was built in 1928 by K. K. Culver at a cost rumored to be half a million dollars. Knight Culver was the son of Henry Harrison Culver of St. Louis, the founder of Culver Military Academy. Shortly after moving to Columbus, Knight Culver began planning this new home, using all of his mechanical expertise to f ulfill his dream of a magnificent Spanish dwelling. He acted as his own architect, and was so devoted to perfection that only the most highly skilled workmen were hired to execute his plans. It took three years to build, and the quality of its construction wo uld be almost impossible to duplicate today.

When Monocoupe-Lambert succumbed to the Depression, Monocoupe's Cleveland dealer, wealthy Knight K. Culver (son of the founder of Culver Military Academy), bought the cheap, efficient Monosport-G design, opened a factory in Columbus, Ohio, and hired Al to convert it into the tiny Dart G sport monoplane. Demand grew, but approaching World War II led to a military confiscation of most metal, diverted to weaponry. In 1940, Mooney redesigned the Dart -- still using anachronistic all-wood construction, but with the advance of "retractable" landing gear, first ever in such a tiny production airplane -- and company owner Knight Culver renamed the company (for himself).



The result was the Culver Cadet – the first pop ular retractable-geared light airplane. Over 350 Culver Cadets sold. With growing demand, the factory was outgrown. Wichita aviation investor Charles "Pappy" Yankey (a Beechcraft financier) invited Culver and Mooney to move to Wichita, and set up shop in Mooney's old plant, with Yankey's backing. The res ulting Culver Aircraft Co. wo uld quickly gain a new customer for its lively little wooden wonder.

1900 is on census with mother and listed as being manfr. stoves;

1910 - On Ancestry index as Dwight but spelling on census is Knight K. resided Oates Ave. Independent , St. Louis, Laura mother of 1 child; Missouri manufacture of ranges.

1920 Census - Listed as Hright K Calver on census index at ancestry.com but reads Knight West Vine Indepenence City St. Louis, Missouri listed as President Range co.

1930 Census - Preston Rd. Columbus, Franklin, Ohio listed as manufacture Iron Range Co.
Children of Knight K. Culver
    36 Emily Jane Culver b. 1902 Missouri d. 24 Apr. 1990 Ohio

    37 Knight K. Culver Jr. b. 6 Sep 1913 St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri d. Jun 1982 Westerville, Franklin, Ohio