CULWER, Daniel, pioneer, born in Maryland in 1793; died in California in 1857. He was the first American that. went to Upper California, and the first that built a house in San Francisco (on the same ground now occupied by the Palace Hotel). He was also the founder of the town of Santa Barbara. At the beginning of the Mexican war, in 1847, Culwer went to New Orleans, organized a company at his own expense, and joined the expedition under General Scott. When the American navy had bombarded Vera Cruz, Culwer advanced toward Jalapa and defeated a guerilla band; but, having gone farther into the country, he was captured by the Mexican chief Father Jaranta, who was about to have him hanged at Plan de Barran-cas when Sergeant Lincoln, of the volunteer force, saved him. He specially distinguished himself at the battle of Cerro Gordo, when he almost affected the capture of General Santa Anna, and did take his richly caparisoned horse. He was dangerously wounded at the capture of the City of Mexico, returned to the United States, and again settled in California, where he resided for the rest of his life, and accumulated a fortune, a large part of which was bequeathed to charity.