Biography - JAMES H. WHITE
We are pleased to present among the highly esteemed residents of Shelby
County the name of James H. White, who resides on section 13, Rose Township.
His father, William White, was born in Perry County, La., and his mother,
Hannah Milligan, was a native of the same county. Their first home after
marriage was in that State, from which they afterward removed to Montgomery
County, Ind., and later to Christian County, Ill., where they located in
Pana, and there they spent the remainder of their days. They were the happy
parents of ten children, of whom our subject is the second.
James H. White was born in Perry County, La., July 16, 1829. There he
received his early education and his practical training upon a farm and grew
up to a vigorous young manhood. In 1851 he removed to Montgomery County,
Ind., and engaged in the mercantile business in Waveland for about fifteen
years. He sold out his business in 1865, and coining to Shelby County,
located on section 13, Rose Township. Since his removal to this place he has
devoted himself entirely to farming and dealing in stock. His rich farm
comprises one hundred and twenty acres upon which he has placed good
improvements.
The marriage of this gentleman took place in Crawfordsville, Ind., October
3, 1854, his bride being Miss Mildred Canine, a daughter of Richard and
Eliza (Gwynn) Canine, both natives of Kentucky. The mother died in
Crawfordsville, Ind., and the father still survives. Eight children
completed this family circle and Mrs. White was next to the eldest of them.
Her birth took place in Crawfordsville, Ind., April 2, 1835, and there she
was reared to womanhood.
The children who came to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. White are seven in
number, namely: Albert T., who married Miss Fannie Durkee; Clara S.; William
R., who married Miss Fannie Smith, of Frankfort, Clinton County, Ind.;
James; Walter; Minnie, who died when ten years old; and Alta P. Mr. White
has the profound respect and esteem of of his fellow-citizens and they have
placed him in several offices of responsibility, all of which he has filled
with real benefit to the community. He has for four terms been Supervisor of
Rose Township and for several years has acted as Justice of the Peace and
Township Clerk. He is Secretary for Rose Township of the Farmers' Mutual
Insurance Company. He is independent in his political views and does not
ally himself with any of the existing parties, as he prefers to he free to
follow his own judgment and convictions rather than to be guided by the
party leaders.
Mrs. White is a woman of more than ordinary capability and influence and is
the efficient and judicious President of the Woman's Christian Temperance
Union of Moulton. They have brought up their children in the faith and
practice of the Christian religion and the whole family are united in the
membership of the Presbyterian Church. The pleasant home of our subject has
attractive surroundings and the farm buildings are excellent. Such a family
as this is one of the greatest advantages which any township can have. as
their industry and enterprise tend to its material prosperity and their
character and intelligence make an influence for good in every way.
Extracted 17 Dec 2018 by Norma Hass from 1891 Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties Illinois, pages 557-558.
