My Genealogy Hound

JOHN A. WHITE was born December 26, 1833, in this county, being the third son of a family of seven, of William and Elizabeth (Thomas) White. The father was a farmer by occupation, and died in Missouri, August 14, 1840, where he had moved about two years before. His widow a year after his death returned to Tobin Township with her children, and there died August 17, 1869. John A. was reared by his parents to work on the farm, receiving education sufficient for the ordinary duties of life. Between the ages of fourteen and twenty-one he worked as a day laborer to assist his mother and sisters. Upon reaching his majority he with his brother William rented a farm, and during the winter would chop wood and run flat-boats, and continued thus about ten years. February 12, 1865, he married Lydia A., daughter of Nathaniel and Rebecca Thomas, who bore him six children, four of whom are now living: Elizabeth J., Frances R., Nathaniel and Harvey. After marriage John A. located on the farm of his father-in-law. Two years later he secured an interest in a store-boat, but soon traded for eighty acres of land upon which he lived three years. He then located on 140 acres, his present farm. Mrs. White died June 16, 1882, since which sad event his daughters have kept house for him. He is a Republican and a highly respected citizen.