In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1855
From History of Boone County, Missouri. Written and comp. from the most authentic official and private sources; including a history of its townships, towns, and villages. Together with a condensed history (1882)
ROBERT HARRIS WILHITE.
Robert Harris M ilhite is the son of Smith Wilhite, a native of Boone county, and was born October 7th, 1855. He was raised on the farm and educated at the common schools of the neighborhood. In 1875 he commenced business for himself at Austin, Texas. Returning to Missouri, a few years later, he opened a furniture and undertaker’s store at Ceutralia, which he continued until July, 1881, when he went into the boot and shoe trade. In 1882 took T. H. Barnes in partnership. In religion, Mr. Wilhite is a member of the Baptist church. He is a young man of energy and firmness, and is fast building up for himself a reliable and paying business.
As printed in History of Boone County, Missouri. Written and comp. from the most authentic official and private sources; including a history of its townships, towns, and villages. Together with a condensed history (1882). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1882. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.