My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Saline County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

James A. White well deserves a place among the prosperous farmers and stock raisers of Marble Township, Saline County. He was born in 1832, as the son of Thomas A. and Margarette Wiley White, natives of South Carolina, the former of whom moved to Arkansas in 1846, settling in this township, where he resided until his death in 1854. He entered 200 acres of land, improved the same, and reared a family of eight children. Five of them lived to maturity, and three now survive: Thomas N. (in Garland County), Matilda (wife of W. H. Harlow, of Holland Township, this county), and James A. (our subject). Mrs. White died in 1878, a member of the Baptist Church. At the age of forty-five years James A. White began farming for himself. He came here with his father in 1846, and at his death bought the property, consisting of 200 acres, from the heirs. Having since homesteaded 200 acres, he now has an excellent farm of 400 acres, with some eighty acres under cultivation. The place contains good buildings, and is well stocked with horses, cattle, etc. In 1861, when the Civil War broke out, he enlisted in Company F, Third Arkansas Cavalry regiment, and served until the close of the war, being engaged in the battles of Corinth, Miss., Chickamauga, Thompson’s Station, Missionary Ridge and all the battles around Knoxville, Tenn., besides many of less importance. He was captured at Danville, Tenn., and taken to Rock Island, Ill., where he was confined for thirteen months and thirteen days. Being paroled in 1865, he returned home and resumed farming. Mr. White was married, in 1867, to Miss Jane Newkirk, and by her became the father of seven children, five of whom are living: Lucy A., James M. and W. T. (twins, at home), Frances I. and Mary A. The mother died in 1882. Mr. White’s second marriage was in 1883, to Miss Margarette Tillery, a member of the Baptist Church. Taking an active interest in education and all public improvements, Mr. White is an earnest friend of the township schools. He is a member of the Union Labor party, and has served his township as constable. No worthy public enterprise vainly seeks his support; he is always ready to assist in elevating the condition of his county.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 100 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Saline County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Saline County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Saline County, Arkansas family biographies, click here

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.