Robert T. White

As printed in 1910

DR. ROBERT T. WHITE.

Dr. Robert T. White, veterinary surgeon of Annawan and assessor of the township of the same name, is one of the best known men of Henry county and certainly no one stands higher in the estimation of his neighbors. Not only is he an expert veterinarian, but he is an upright, public spirited man, and he and Mrs. White are noted for their generosity to others less fortunate than they. Dr. White was born in Kewanee, Illinois, June 14, 1860, a son of Hugh and Elizabeth (Grape) White.

Hugh White, born in Wellsburg, West Virginia, in 1834, was a landowner and importer of heavy draft horses, going abroad ten times for his fine animals. In 1854 he came to Illinois, settling in Peoria, and was an engineer for three or four years but in 1858 he moved to Henry county. For some time he conducted

ROBERT T. WHITE a flour mill in Annawan and then turned his attention to dealing in horses and continued along this line until his demise, March 24, 1906. His remains were interred in Annawan cemetery. Fraternally he was a Mason. Politically he preferred to support the man rather than be confined by party lines, and he served on the town board of Annawan. His wife was born in Germany in 1832 and survives, making her home with a daughter in Minneapolis. The five children born to them were as follows: Henry R., deceased; Robert T.; Mrs. L. H. Bowhan, who lives in Minneapolis; Mrs. Mary E. Tolman, who resides at Red Oak, Iowa; and Mrs. George Squires, who lives at Mineral, Illinois.

Dr. White was educated in the public schools of Annawan, later attending the Chicago Veterinary College, from which he was graduated in 1890. He took a post-graduate course at McKillip's School of Chicago. Having thus completed his studies and fitted himself for his profession, Dr. White located at Annawan, where he has built up a large and flourishing practice that extends all over the county. In connection with his profession, he belongs to the state and national veterinary societies. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias order. In his political faith he is a democrat, but like his father believes more in worth than party principles. He has served as a member of the village council and president and member of the school board, and at present is assessor of Annawan township.

On September 29, 1881, Dr. White married Miss Ursula Slutz, who was born in Holmes county, Ohio, near Wooster, October 14, 1865, a daughter of Grafton and Sarah (Brown) Slutz.

Her father was born in Wooster, May 8, 1845, and her mother was born in the same place in April, 1846. They were married April 3, 1861, at Massillon, Ohio. Mr. Slutz was a professor in the Wooster schools and an excellent penman, and for thirty-two years after coming to Kewanee he continued teaching, being one of the best known educators in Henry county, and he received the highest salary paid to Annawan's teachers. He also conducted a store at Wethersfield, after which he began canvassing for an eastern firm and was killed by a train, October 19, 1906. His widow survives and has lived with Mrs. White since her husband's demise. They were the parents of five children, namely: Ursula, now Mrs. White; WilHam, who died when eight months old; Harriet, the wife of Rollin Becker, of White Falls, Michigan; Myron Foster, deceased; and J. Walter, who lives in Carpenterville, Illinois. Mr. Slutz was a strong democrat, as well as a capable man in every particular, coming of a brilliant family. A brother of his is a clergyman in Colorado.

Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. White, all in Annawan. They are as follows: Florence, born February 16, 1883, married H. H. Treffer of Davenport, Iowa, a ladies' tailor, and she has made two trips to Europe. Mabel, born August 31, 1884, married H. P. Slater of Solon, a druggist, who owns his store. She attended the hospital training school at Geneseo and also at Galesburg, practicing at Belvidere, Illinois, with marked success. Elizabeth, born October 22, 1886, married William Atkinson and they live in Elgin, Illinois, where he is a train dispatcher, but his people reside at London, Canada. Mrs. Atkinson is a graduate of the Annawan schools. Hugh White, born October 24, 1894, is now attending St. Ambrose School at Davenport, Iowa. Harriet, born July 7,

1896, is attending school in Anna wan, as well as studying music with the Catholic Sisters. A born musician, her parents have given her every advantage and are very proud of her talent. The youngest of the family is William, born April I, 1898.

Dr. and Mrs. White have spent the twenty-eight years of their married life in Annawan, twelve in a cottage across the street from their present beautiful home, which is simply elegant in every detail and a gift from his mother to Dr. White. It is the finest in the city and would bear comparison with any home of its size in the country. It is beautifully furnished and thoroughly modern in every respect. The house is set on an elevation from which the well kept lawn rolls down to the street. They keep several horses and have several handsome vehicles.

Mrs. White is a member of the Royal Neighbors but she devotes most of her time outside her home to Christian Science, being an ardent advocate of the teachings of Mrs. Eddy. In her placed face are reflected only good, true, high purposes and lofty thoughts, and through her influence, unconsciously though it may be exerted, many are helped to appreciate the beauty of her life.

In addition to other interests. Dr. White owns four hundred and eighty acres in North Dakota, and as a relaxation from his professional duties he goes there each summer to take part in the threshing. He has friends and patrons all over Henry county, and he is appreciated not only as a professional man but also because of his sterling traits of character. Neither he nor his wife ever turn any one away from their doors empty handed. Whenever help is needed, they can be counted upon to supply it. Dr. White's office is on his home place in a neatly constructed little building, so that he is not long away from his family to whom he is so devoted. As a veterinary, he has few equals in this part of the state, and the success which is his has been well earned.

As printed in History of Henry County, Illinois (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.