Harry Culver

Early life Culver was born in Milford, Nebraska, the middle child of five of Jacob H. and Ada L. (Davison) Culver, who lived on a farm. At age 18, he enlisted in the Spanish–American War and served as a corporal and sergeant.

Personal life Culver enjoyed horseback riding, swimming, and playing ice hockey. In June 1916, he married actress Lillian Roberts, (Lillian Culver) who died in 1999 at the age of 103. Their daughter and only child, Patricia, was born on August 11, 1917.

Harry gave about 600 speeches a year, thus the Culver family traveled broadly and often. In honor of his father, Culver founded the Pacific Military Academy. Patricia Culver Battle remained connected to Culver City until her death in 2001. Culver has two living grandsons, Dr. John Battle living in Tacoma, Washington, and Chris Wilde in Seattle, Washington.

Culver is also known for attempting to resuscitate F. Scott Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald's live-in partner, Sheilah Graham, witnessed Fitzgerald experience a heart attack and ran to the manager of the building at the time for help, Culver. Upon entering the apartment to assist Fitzgerald, Culver stated, "I'm afraid he's dead."

Dedication

On March 26, 2006, Culver City's Cultural Affairs Division with the Culver City Historical Society dedicated a sculpture of Harry Culver, commissioned to artist De L'Esprie with the National Heritage Collectors Society, founded by David L. Spellerberg. The artwork, titled "A Moment in Time", is part of the city's Art in Public Places program. Culver's grandson, Dr. John Battle, and his family participated in the dedication ceremony.