William J. Cullen

William J. Cullen
Superintendent of the Northern Superintendency
In office
May 13, 1857 – March 27, 1861
PresidentJames Buchanan
Abraham Lincoln
Preceded byFrancis Huebschmann
Succeeded byClark W. Thompson
Personal details
Born(1816-05-01)May 1, 1816
DiedDecember 9, 1870(1870-12-09) (aged 54)
Resting placeOakland Cemetery
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Other political
affiliations
Democrat
Military service
Allegiance United States of America
Minnesota
Branch/serviceMinnesota Militia
Years of service1861-1862
Rank Major
UnitCullen Frontier Guards
Battles/warsDakota War of 1862
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William J. Cullen (May 1, 1816 – December 9, 1870) was an Indian agent, administrator, politician, and was the Superintendent for the Northern Superintendency of Indian Affairs from 1857-1860. Originally appointed under President of the United States James Buchanan, Cullen became known for embezzling federal funds which were meant for the annuity payments for the Dakota people and the Ojibwe living on reservations in Minnesota. Cullen's misappropriation of funds was a significant contributing cause leading up to the Dakota War of 1862 just two years later.