The White Family

John White in Past and Present of Pike County, Illinois

The full biographical sketch as printed, transcribed from the public-domain book. Spelling and wording are the original author’s; a few scanning errors may remain.

JOHN WHITE.

John White, deceased, who in his connection with the agricultural interests in Pike county, found that prosperity might be attained through earnest and persistent effort, and won his success along those lines, was born in Londonderry, Ire- land, in 1809, his parents being John and Mar- garet (Glass) White, both of whom were na- tives of the Emerald Isle. In the common schools of that country Mr. White obtained his educa- tion and then, thinking to improve his opportuni- ties in the new world, he crossed the Atlantic to America when twenty-two years of age, locating at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he remained for six years. During the greater part of that time he followed weaving, and later removed to Quincy, Illinois, where he engaged in teaming, until his removal to Pike county in 1839. Here he cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers, lo- cating at New Philadelphia.

Subsequently he purchased land, and he further completed his arrangements for a home of his own by his marriage in 1845 to Miss Margaret Smith, who was born in Scotland. They had one child, now deceased; and the mother died in 1846. In April, 1856. Mr. White was again married, his second union being with Mary K. Cunningham, who was born in Londonderry, Ire-

land. March 17, 1833, and is a daughter of Thomas and Isabella (Smith) Cunningham, both of whom were natives of Ireland. Mrs. White came to America with her brother, Thomas, in 1855, sail- ing from" Liverpool to New York, the voyage lasting six weeks. Her parents came to America in 1856, locating in New Salem township, Pike county. Her father was a farmer by occupation, owning and operating eighty acres of land. In his family were seven children, three of whom are yet living, namely : Mrs. White ; Robert, a resident of Canada ; and Samuel, who is living in Pennsylvania.

Mr. and Mrs. White were reared in the same neighborhood in Ireland, their homes being sepa- rated by a distance of only about twelve miles, but they became acquainted in this country. Mrs. White lived with her aunt until her marriage. There were ten children born of this union, of whom seven are yet living : Joseph, who was edu- cated in the common schools and is living upon the home farm, is a member of the Masonic lodge, No. 218, of New Salem, and the Odd Fel- lows lodge, No. 834, of New Salem. Robert, who acquired a comrnon-school education, also belongs to the Odd Fellows lodge at New Salem, in which he has passed through all the chairs. Kmmett, who was educated in Jacksonville, Illi- nois, married Lena Steinback and lives on his mother's farm. He is also affiliated with the Odd Fellows lodge at New Salem. Frank, who was educated in Baylis and assists in the operation of the home farm, is likewise an Odd Fellow. Mrs. Margaret Wray, now a widow, resides in Quincy. Anna Belle became the wife of Elliot Motley, and both are now deceased, their three children now living with their grandmother, Mrs. White. Mary Jane is the wife of John Jacob, a resident" of Kansas. Emily Alice is the wife of Jacob Irick and lives near the home farm.

At the time of his marriage, Mr. White owned one hundred and sixty acres of land, to which he added from time to time until his landed pos- sessions comprised eight hundred and sixty acres He was a most industrious and energetic man. whose economy and frugality also proved an im- portant element in his prosperity. He was a great stockman, and engaged quite extensively ir.

the raising of stock. He gave his political alle- giance to the democracy ; and for over twenty years served as a school director. He held mem- bership in the Presbyterian church and died in that faith on the loth of June, 1880, respected by all who knew him, because of his upright life and what he had accomplished. He never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in the new world, for he found here the opportunities he sought; and by the judicious use of the advantages, which surround all, he worked his way steadily upward,, becoming one of the prosperous and representative citizens of the county.

Mrs. White is also a devoted member of the Presbyterian church. Her home is pleasantly situated about four miles south of Baylis, and her postoffice is New Salem. She owns a large amount of land, and each of her sons owns a farm. They operate their own land and their mother's land, comprising eight hundred and sixty acres ; and they also own one hundred and thirty head of fine shorthorn cattle, one hundred and fifteen head of hogs of the Chester White and Poland China breeds and twenty-two head of horses ; and they are recognized as leading stock- men of the community.

Source: Past and Present of Pike County, Illinois. See the original pages at the Internet Archive.