Henry Harrison CulverHenry Harrison Culver was an American businessman and philanthropist. He is best known for founding the Culver Academies.Early lifeHenry Harrison Culver was born near London, Ohio on August 9, 1840.CareerCulver started a cooking range company with two of his brothers, Walter and Licius, which they incorporated in 1881 as the Wrought Iron Range Company in St. Louis. The company was very successful and Culver amassed a substantial fortune. After becoming ill, he retired in 1883 to the north shore of Lake Maxinkuckee, close to his wife's childhood home.PhilanthropyIn 1894, Culver founded a college preparatory school on his property near Lake Maxinkuckee. It was modelled after West Point. It is now known as Culver Academies.Personal life and deathCulver married Emily Hand. They had five sons and one daughter. He died on September 27, 1897.