James H. White

As printed in 1910

JAMES H. WHITE.

James H. White, well known in business circles in Geneseo as bookkeeper of the First National Bank and as a young business man of substantial worth, was born in Arnot, Pennsylvania, March 20, 1873. His parents were James and Janet (Miller) White, natives of Cumbernauld, Dumbartonshire, Scotland. The former was a son of James White, Sr., also a native of the land of hills and weather. Coming to America, he spent his last days in Pennsylvania near Scranton, where he died at the venerable age of eighty-eight. He had been a sheep man in his native country but in the new world lived retired. His wife was also eighty-eight years of age at the time of her death. Their family numbered five children. The maternal grandfather of our subject was William Miller, and he, too, was born in Scotland, where he died at the age of thirty-five years, having met death in a runaway accident. He was a milk dealer, using that business to provide a living for his family. His widow still survives and is now nearly one hundred years old. Their family numbered three children, including Janet Miller, who in her early womanhood gave her hand in marriage to Mr. White. He was a small farmer of Scotland and the favorable reports which he heard concerning business opportunities in America attracted him to this country. About 1865 with his family he made the long voyage across the bring deep to the new world, settling near Scranton, Pennsylvania, where he became foreman of a mine. About 1875 he removed westward to Ottawa, Illinois, where he became a large contractor in fire clay. He was not disappointed in the hope that led him to the United States, for here he found and improved the business opportunities which enabled him to acquire a handsome competence as the years passed by. His death resulted from an accident, as he was struck by the cars while crossing the track on the 9th of April, 1906, when sixty-five years of age. His widow still survives him and yet makes her home in Ottawa. She is a member of the Presbyterian church, to which Mr. White also belonged. They were the parents of nine children, four sons and five daughters, of whom six are now living: Jessie, the wife of J. L. Johnson, of Ottawa, Illinois; James H., of this review; Mary, the wife of W. H. Seward, residing near Ottawa; WilHam C, a resident of Chicago; Margaret, the wife of J. S. Rhoads, of Winona, Minnesota; Walter H., of Hamilton, Montana; and three who died in childhood.

James H. White was a young lad at the time of the removal of the family to Ottawa, Illinois, where he was reared to the age of seventeen and during that period attended the public schools, passing through consecutive grades until he became a high-school student. On putting aside his text-books he began learning telegraphy in the office of the Western Union at Ottawa, and later was made manager of that office for a time. He then entered the employ of the Chicago, BurHngton & Quincy Railroad Company, being stationed at various places as telegraph operator and agent. Subsequently he entered the main office of the Western Union Telegraph Company in Chicago, where he continued for two years and at the time of the breaking out of the Spanish-American war, he was sent to a special telegraph bureau in Washington, D. C, where he continued for two years and four months. Becoming ill with typhoid fever, he returned to Ottawa to recuperate his health and did railroad telegraphing there. He was then stationed at Geneseo as bookkeeper, agent and operator, acceptably filling the position until November 1, 1902, when he was tendered his present position in the First National Bank, where he has since served as bookkeeper. He is a thorough accountant and his ability and allegiance to the bank make him one of its most worthy representatives. He is also a director of the Central Life Insurance Company of Ottawa. While in the government telegraph service in Washington, D. C, he transmitted the peace protocol to Admiral Dewey, suspending hostilities until such time as they could arrange a permanent peace treaty.

On the 2d of June, 1902, Mr. White was married to Miss Louise Taylor a daughter of Peter H. and Ella (Hume) Taylor. There are two children of that marriage, Janet E. and Margery T., who are the light and life of the household, Mrs., White is a member of the Congregational church and has always been very active in its work. Mr. White holds membership in the Methodist church but attends the Congregational church with his wife. Fraternally he is connected with Stewart Lodge, No. 92, A. F. & A. M., and Geneseo Chapter, No. 12, R. A. M., and in his life exemplifies the beneficent spirit of the craft, being in hearty sympathy with its principles concerning mutual helpfulness and universal brotherhood. Politically he is a republican. His progress in a business way has resulted entirely from his own effort. He has learned to correctly value life's contracts and its experiences, to recognize and improve opportunities, and seeking his success along legitimate lines he has won the regard and esteem of his fellowmen as well as substantial advancement in the business world.

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.