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Below is a sample of a family biography
included in The Pictorial and Genealogical Record of Greene County, Missouri published by
Goodspeed Brothers, in 1893.
These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing
ancestors or filling in the details in 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.
JESSE FRANK WHITE. Nowhere within the limits of Campbell Township, Greene
County, Mo., can there he found a man who takes greater interest in its
agricultural affairs than Jesse Frank White, or who strives more continually
to promote and advance these interests. Every life has a history of its own,
and although in appearance it may possess little to distinguish it from
others, yet the connection of Mr. White with the agricultural interests of
this region has contributed to give him a wide and popular acquaintance with
nearly every citizen of the county, if not personally, then by name. Mr. White
springs from an old American family of English origin, the members of which
were among the pioneer families of Tennessee. Elisha White, the grandfather of
our subject, was a wealthy planter and large slave-owner of Lynnville, Giles
County, Tenn. He was the father of nineteen children, twelve sons and seven
daughters, as follows: John, Allen, Harrison, William, Henderson, Thomas,
Elisha, James, Coleman, and others whose names are not remembered. Two of the
daughters, Mary and Catherine, lived to mature years. Elisha White was a good
business man, accumulated a handsome property and lived in a large brick
mansion on a hill overlooked the town of Lynnville. William White, his son and
the father of our subject, was born October 12, 1816, and gained a fair
education for his day. While his father was a slave-owner he taught his sons
to work and earn their own living and by this training the most of them became
prosperous and wealthy men. William White learned the trade of a tanner. On
January 23, 1839, he was married to Miss Margaret Fry, who was born July 5,
1819, and who was the daughter of John and Margaret (Evans) Fry. After
marriage William White and wife settled in Lawrence County, Tenn., and to them
were born seven children: William H., Jesse F., Margaret J., Albert S. (died
at the age of twenty-two), Mary O., John T. and Sallie M. In the fall of 1852
Mr. White moved with three ox teams and a buggy, to Missouri and settled on
the land now occupied by his son-in-law, Campbell. He bought 440 acres in
Campbell Township, and by industry and close attention to business, prospered
and became a wealthy citizen. He owned slaves and carried on farming
operations quite extensively. For many years be was a member of the Christian
Church and assisted in building the first Christian Church in Campbell
Township. This was called Antioch and also the old Brick church, on Grand
Prairie. Mr. White was an elder in the church and is yet remembered as a
prominent member and a very devout man. In politics he was a strong advocate
of Democracy. He was one of the jury who convicted Washam, the first and only
man ever hung by law in Greene County, and whose wife on her death bed twenty
years after, confessed that he was innocent, and that she, herself, had
committed the murder of her own child, a son. Mr. White was a dealer in
cattle. He died at the age of forty-two years and is remembered to this day as
an excellent citizen, and a kind friend and neighbor. His children all married
and settled in Greene County, except Mary G., who married W. F. ---, and
settled in Oklahoma. William C., was a soldier in the Confederate Army, in
Dick Campbell's Company of "Partisan Rangers," of Prices' Army. He died of
sickness resulting from exposure, at the residence of E. R. Fullbright, of
Carroll County, Ark., July 17, 1862. Margaret J., married Col. John E. Phelps,
of Springfield, (see sketch); John T., married Miss Mary Jones, of
Springfield, where he is now a practicing lawyer. Sallie M., married E. M.
Campbell, the only living son of the first settler of Springfield, they reside
on the White homestead. Jesse Frank White, son of the above, and our subject,
was born December 16, 1843, on his father's farm in Giles County, Tenn. When
about nine years of age he came with his parents to Greene County, Mo., and
can well remember the journey. He received the rudiments of an education in
the district schools, and later attended the college of Charles Carlton,
Springfield. Early in life he was taught to work on the farm and in the fall
of 1861, when nineteen years of age, he enlisted in Col. Dick Campbell's
Company, holding the rank of corporal. Later he was promoted to sergeant. His
company, originally mounted, was dismounted after about nine month's service.
It was again mounted after the battle of Vicksburg and served under the famous
Gen. Shelby, in his mounted brigade, to the close of the war. He was in the
battles of Pea Ridge, Iuka, Corinth, Grand Gulf, Baker's Creek, near
Vicksburg, Big Black, Jackson, Boonville and a battle near Kansas City and one
near Ft. Scott where Gen. Marmaduke was captured. He was also in the battle
near Carthage, also in the East raid that Gen. Price made and in many
skirmishes. Mr. White saw a great deal of fighting during the war and endured
many hardships from exposure, etc. He was wounded at the battle of Corinth,
near the left eye, and of the thirty-six men of his company three-fourths of
them were either killed or wounded in that disastrous engagement. He was
promoted to the rank of sergeant just before the last raid made by Gen. Price,
and for some time was dispatch bearer. After the war he again attended
Carlton's college, which had been moved to Kentucky Town, Tex. After leaving
school he was married at Bentonville, Ark., to Miss Margaret L. Roper, a
native of Tennessee, born June 13, 1847, and the daughter of Wiley D. and
Minerva (Fry) Roper. Mr. Roper is a retired farmer residing at Bentonville,
Ark., and is now over seventy years of age. To himself and wife have been born
ten children as follows: Margaret L., David R., John W., William F., George
W., Wiley B., Lulu and two who died in early youth. Mr. Roper is a member of
the Christian Church and socially lie is a Mason. He is a man of integrity and
uprightness and is universally respected. His ancestors were from old Colonial
stock and came originally from Germany. After marriage Mr. White settled on
the farm where he now lives and to the forty acres inherited from his fathers
estate he added sufficient to make 310 acres in one body. This fine farm,
principally the result of his own industry and perseverance, is about four
miles from the city of Springfield. He also owns twenty-four lots in "Massey's
Addition" to Springfield. Both Mr. and Mrs. White are members of the Antioch
church, and Mr. White has been elder of the same for ten years. They assist
liberally with their means to its support and to all other worthy enterprises.
Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. White: William E., born March 8,
1871, and died when two and one-half years of age; Albert B., born February 8,
1875; Grace B., born March 30, 1877, and Frances E., born April 23, 1884.
Albert B., is attending the preparatory department of Drury college and the
other children are attending a select school. Mr. White is yet a comparatively
young man and is one of the most substantial citizens of Greene County. A
gallant and fearless soldier, who fought for his convictions, and who met with
many stirring adventures, his record will be preserved with pride by his
descendents. During the battle of Corinth Mr. White was taken prisoner, was
well-treated and given his liberty within the Federal lines until he was
paroled.
This family biography is one of 200
biographies included in The Pictorial and Genealogical Record of Greene County, Missouri published
in 1893. For the complete description, click here:
Greene County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps
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