George White, Sr. and Sarah Bumpas
According to family lore, there were three White brothers who came to the New World from England. Things were harmonious among them for a time, but eventually, the brothers drifted apart. No longer desiring to live in the same proximity, they separated. One brother remained where they had settled originally, another went north, and the last brother went south. They never saw each other again.
Ivan White passed down the story of the three White brothers to his grandchildren, just as his own ancestors had passed it down to him. The need to find them, to validate what Ivan had told of our family, became an all consuming need. Where were these three brothers? Whey they separated, did they go to different parts of the colonies? Or did they go to different parts of the modern continental United States?
Perhaps the answer to this question is George White, Sr. George was born in Massachusetts - which was…technically…England (or a colony anyway). He no doubt married handsome woman, Sarah Bumpas (1701-1738), on October 17th 1728 in Rochester, Massachusetts. 1
Their first son, John, was born on June 17, 1729. Their second child, Mary, was born April 4, 1731. The birth of the third, Archilius, was recorded on March 17, 1732. That’s two brothers right there! But what of the third brother? George and Sarah had two more children. Eleanor was born October 26, 1736.3 The fifth child, George, was born October 9, 1737. 4 There you have it - three brothers.
This is not where the story stops. The childhoods of the White brothers was one of work. America had no grocery stores and no mass produced meals. The White family - like their neighbors - grew their own food. Sickness was not unknown. Small pox was a legitimate concern - along with a countless number of other diseases. These children lived to adulthood. It is unknown if there were other children born to George and Sarah who did not survive.
John married Prudence Carrier (1731-). 5 John died in Connecticut. Archilius married Hannah Hunter and Sarah Brace. He married Sarah in Amenia, New York. 6. Born in Massachusetts, Archilius was living in Connecticut per the 1810 Census. George married Patience (1740-1788). George and Patience had a large family: Nathaniel (1759-1836), Patience, Abigail, Sarah, Mara, and Selee. When George died, he was living in New York.
What history these men saw in their lives. All were Revolutionary War veterans, as was their father. In his will, George White, Sr. mentions his children: Captain George White, Archilius, White, Mary Goodrich, and Esther Strong. John White was deceased at the time of his father’s death. 2
Perhaps the lore of the three brothers began with John, Archilius, and George.
Their first son, John, was born on June 17, 1729. Their second child, Mary, was born April 4, 1731. The birth of the third, Archilius, was recorded on March 17, 1732. That’s two brothers right there! But what of the third brother? George and Sarah had two more children. Eleanor was born October 26, 1736.3 The fifth child, George, was born October 9, 1737. 4 There you have it - three brothers.
This is not where the story stops. The childhoods of the White brothers was one of work. America had no grocery stores and no mass produced meals. The White family - like their neighbors - grew their own food. Sickness was not unknown. Small pox was a legitimate concern - along with a countless number of other diseases. These children lived to adulthood. It is unknown if there were other children born to George and Sarah who did not survive.
John married Prudence Carrier (1731-). 5 John died in Connecticut. Archilius married Hannah Hunter and Sarah Brace. He married Sarah in Amenia, New York. 6. Born in Massachusetts, Archilius was living in Connecticut per the 1810 Census. George married Patience (1740-1788). George and Patience had a large family: Nathaniel (1759-1836), Patience, Abigail, Sarah, Mara, and Selee. When George died, he was living in New York.
What history these men saw in their lives. All were Revolutionary War veterans, as was their father. In his will, George White, Sr. mentions his children: Captain George White, Archilius, White, Mary Goodrich, and Esther Strong. John White was deceased at the time of his father’s death. 2
Perhaps the lore of the three brothers began with John, Archilius, and George.
George White, Jr. and Patience
George, the youngest son of George and Sarah. He was born October 9, 1737. According to Dorothy Brown:
George White, Jr. Served his country during the American Revolution as a soldier, first as a lieutenant and last a Captain of a company in the 2nd Regiment of the New York Line, first commanded by Col. Goose Van Schaick and later, by Col. Philip Van Cortlandt form June 26th to December 1, 1775. 3
He married Patience (last name unknown). They had the following children: Nathaniel (1759-1836), Patience (1771-1773), Selee, Mara, Sara, and Abigail.
Nathaniel White and Hannah Finch
Nathaniel White was baptized in 1763. In 1781 he enlisted to fight against Great Britain. He was fifteen years old. His enlistment records detail that he was in Dutchess County, New York at the time. He served as a private and a sergeant. He served as a sergeant in Captain Thomas Skinner's Company in Colonel Marinus Willett's New York regiment and in Captain James Cannon's company in Major Elias Van Benschoten's New York battalion. He was in the Battle of Johnstown and a military engagement at Canada Creek. He was discharged in 1784. 4
In 1785 he married Hannah Finch near Kinderhook or Coxasachee in New York. The family resided near Coxsackie, Albany, New York. Nathaniel and Hannah had ten children: Ammy (Amy) (1789-1830), Sarah (1791-1847), Lodema (1794-1870), Patience (1796-1876), Hannah (1799), Albert Lanson (Alanson) (1801), George (1804), Lucia (1806) and Lucinda (1806), and Samuel (1812). In 1828, the White's relocated to Clark County, Ohio. Hannah died in 1832. In 1853 in Tippecanoe County, Indiana Nathaniel married Priscilla Goldsberry. They had one son, Nathaniel, born in 1836.
Daughter Sarah married Robert Williams (1788-1852).
Her sister, Lodema, was married twice. The first time, to Isaac Reed (-1828) and the second time to Hezekiah Hunter (1770-1838). Lodema and and Isaac had the following children: Lucy (1813-), Rensselaer (1815-), Nathaniel (1817-), Lanson (1819-), Abraham (1821-), Alfred (1824-), and SAmuel (1826-).
Patience married Samuel Curless (1796-1828). They had the following children: Rachel (1814-1881), Samuel (1817-1887), John (1823-1888), Harkless (1826-1886), and Deborah. After Samuel died, Patience married William Brown (1774-1849). They had the following children: James, Mary,and Sara.
George married Julia Noel (1806-1865). He also married Nancy Ervin. George had the following children: Eliza (1830-1889), Rachel (1833-1913), Malinda (1834-1913), George (1841-1917), Adaline (1843-1933), William, John, Edward, and Franklin.
Lucia "Lucy" married Barnabas Daugherty. They had the following children: George (1827-1915), Daniel (1830-1897), Lucinda (1832-1883), Lewis (1834-1920), Thomas (1836-1910), William (1839-1908), John (1841-1923), Henry (1845-1863), and Oliver (1846-1864).
Dorothy Brown notes:
In 1785 he married Hannah Finch near Kinderhook or Coxasachee in New York. The family resided near Coxsackie, Albany, New York. Nathaniel and Hannah had ten children: Ammy (Amy) (1789-1830), Sarah (1791-1847), Lodema (1794-1870), Patience (1796-1876), Hannah (1799), Albert Lanson (Alanson) (1801), George (1804), Lucia (1806) and Lucinda (1806), and Samuel (1812). In 1828, the White's relocated to Clark County, Ohio. Hannah died in 1832. In 1853 in Tippecanoe County, Indiana Nathaniel married Priscilla Goldsberry. They had one son, Nathaniel, born in 1836.
Daughter Sarah married Robert Williams (1788-1852).
Her sister, Lodema, was married twice. The first time, to Isaac Reed (-1828) and the second time to Hezekiah Hunter (1770-1838). Lodema and and Isaac had the following children: Lucy (1813-), Rensselaer (1815-), Nathaniel (1817-), Lanson (1819-), Abraham (1821-), Alfred (1824-), and SAmuel (1826-).
Patience married Samuel Curless (1796-1828). They had the following children: Rachel (1814-1881), Samuel (1817-1887), John (1823-1888), Harkless (1826-1886), and Deborah. After Samuel died, Patience married William Brown (1774-1849). They had the following children: James, Mary,and Sara.
George married Julia Noel (1806-1865). He also married Nancy Ervin. George had the following children: Eliza (1830-1889), Rachel (1833-1913), Malinda (1834-1913), George (1841-1917), Adaline (1843-1933), William, John, Edward, and Franklin.
Lucia "Lucy" married Barnabas Daugherty. They had the following children: George (1827-1915), Daniel (1830-1897), Lucinda (1832-1883), Lewis (1834-1920), Thomas (1836-1910), William (1839-1908), John (1841-1923), Henry (1845-1863), and Oliver (1846-1864).
Dorothy Brown notes:
It is not now known why Nathaniel White left Otsego County for Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. During pioneer days, the desire seemed to be every to push on farther west - to improve living conditions. Grievances with the Indians were finally settled by the Ft. Stanwix Treaty and colonization of western Pennsylvania began.5
Nathaniel White’s family eventually came to reside in Clark County, Ohio. It was in Clark County that one of the children of Nathaniel, Albert Lanson (Alanson) met and married Mary Ann Daughtery in 1825. The siblings of Albert Lanson (Alanson) also married individuals from Clark County. The White family ventured further westward. Brown notes that they traveled in covered wagons; initially they desired to go to Illinois but instead made their homes on the plains south of Lafayette.6
It was in this area that the White family continued to live, indeed Nathaniel married his second wife, Pricilla, here, and fathered one more child before his death.
There is a service record and a request for pension for Nathaniel White. Nathaniel White, in 1804 went to court to formally request his pension, provide proof of his identity, and describe his service during the Revolutionary War.
It was in this area that the White family continued to live, indeed Nathaniel married his second wife, Pricilla, here, and fathered one more child before his death.
There is a service record and a request for pension for Nathaniel White. Nathaniel White, in 1804 went to court to formally request his pension, provide proof of his identity, and describe his service during the Revolutionary War.
Nathaniel White had enlisted in Albany, New York for three years. He was part of the New York Militia under the command of Col. Marinus Willet. He served with men such as Jesse Hubbell, George Smith, Michael Skinner and Jonathan Skinner. He went, with his company, from Albany, New York to the land near the Mohawk River. He stayed there until they marched to Poughkeepsie, where he was later discharged. He had been stationed at Fort Plain, Fort Harkamar, and the German Flats. He participated in the Battle of Johnstown and the Battle of Canada Creek. While enlisted, he saw evidence of an Indian fire, and attacked and killed the Native Americans and rescued two women. Nathaniel stated during this recalling of his military service that he was often engaged with the enemy, but that there was no one that stood out in his mind as a singular event.7
With twelve men, he went from Fort Plain to Saratoga. He then went back to Albany to be discharged from the war. He realized that the rest of his battalion had also been discharged. This discharge paperwork was not evaluated correctly, adding to the pension complications for Nathaniel White and his family. 8
The increase in westward expansion made the claims of Nathaniel White even more difficult to prove -- those individuals who had served wit him or had witnessed his service had either moved or died. Nathaniel White was awarded his pension. He did not live long after this award. 9
Upon the death of Nathaniel, Pricilla White, his widow, requested that she obtain his pension as well. She provided paperwork, demonstrating that he had been awarded a pension for his service during the Revolutionary War.10
Nathaniel White and his family lived in a log cabin built around 1828. In the 1970s, this structure was still standing,and had been incorporated into a modern home. There were also two Indian mounds and fire pits discovered upon the property.11
With twelve men, he went from Fort Plain to Saratoga. He then went back to Albany to be discharged from the war. He realized that the rest of his battalion had also been discharged. This discharge paperwork was not evaluated correctly, adding to the pension complications for Nathaniel White and his family. 8
The increase in westward expansion made the claims of Nathaniel White even more difficult to prove -- those individuals who had served wit him or had witnessed his service had either moved or died. Nathaniel White was awarded his pension. He did not live long after this award. 9
Upon the death of Nathaniel, Pricilla White, his widow, requested that she obtain his pension as well. She provided paperwork, demonstrating that he had been awarded a pension for his service during the Revolutionary War.10
Nathaniel White and his family lived in a log cabin built around 1828. In the 1970s, this structure was still standing,and had been incorporated into a modern home. There were also two Indian mounds and fire pits discovered upon the property.11
Albert Lanson (Alanson) White and Mary Ann Daughtery
Albert Lanson (Alanson) was born in 1801 in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. In 1825 he married Mary Ann Daughtery in Clark County, Ohio. She was the daughter of Patrick Daugherty and Nancy Kenney. Her brother, Barnabas Daugherty, was married to Lucia White, Albert's sister. It was her first marriage. The couple had five children: Hannah (1826), Michael (1827), James (1838) and John (1838), and Albert (1841). Albert moved his family with his father and siblings to Indiana. They were part of the "White caravan." Albert died in 1844, and Mary was left to raise their children. She remarried Robert Williams, but four years later he also died. In 1853 she married Thomas Randle. She helped raise more than 20 children during her life time, many her own and many adopted.12
In looking at the lives of Albert Lanson (Alanson) and Mary Ann Daughtery - spanning from 1801 to 1891 they saw the transformation of the country. When Albert was two years old, the Louisiana Territory was purchased from the French. The next year, the Twelfth Amendment was ratified. He lived when Thomas Jefferson was the president and Lewis and Clark reached the Pacific Ocean. When he was 11 years old, the War of 1812 began. His father, Nathaniel, was in his early 50s. In 1820, when Albert was 19 years old, the Fourth United States census was taken; the Missouri Compromise was passed; and James Monroe was re-elected.In 1825 John Quincy Adams became the president of the United States - the same year that Albert White and Mary Daughterty were married. In their young marriage and in the lives of their children they continued to live through history. The family moved to Indiana by the 1840s. Albert died in 1844, at the age of 43. The year that he died, James Polk became the next president of the United States.
Mary Ann lived on, not passing away until 1891 - 47 years after her husband’s death.
In looking at the lives of Albert Lanson (Alanson) and Mary Ann Daughtery - spanning from 1801 to 1891 they saw the transformation of the country. When Albert was two years old, the Louisiana Territory was purchased from the French. The next year, the Twelfth Amendment was ratified. He lived when Thomas Jefferson was the president and Lewis and Clark reached the Pacific Ocean. When he was 11 years old, the War of 1812 began. His father, Nathaniel, was in his early 50s. In 1820, when Albert was 19 years old, the Fourth United States census was taken; the Missouri Compromise was passed; and James Monroe was re-elected.In 1825 John Quincy Adams became the president of the United States - the same year that Albert White and Mary Daughterty were married. In their young marriage and in the lives of their children they continued to live through history. The family moved to Indiana by the 1840s. Albert died in 1844, at the age of 43. The year that he died, James Polk became the next president of the United States.
Mary Ann lived on, not passing away until 1891 - 47 years after her husband’s death.
The oldest White son, Michael, served as a U.S. Congressman. From 1877-1879 he served Indiana's 9th District in the House of Representatives. During his life he was also a member of the Indiana State Legislature.
According to the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress: Representative from Indiana; born in Clark County, Ohio, September 8, 1827; moved with his parents to Tippecanoe County, Ind., in 1829; pursued classical studies; moved to Crawfordsville, Crawfordsville County, Ind., in 1848; attended the county seminary and Wabash College, Crawfordsville; clerked in a store for one year; studied law; was admitted to the bark in 1854 and commenced the practice of his profession in Crawfordsville; law partner of Gen. Lew Wallace; prosecuting attorney of Montgomery and Boonie COunties 1854-1856; member of the State senate 1860-1864; elected as a Republican to the Forty-fifth Congress (March 4, 1877-March 3, 1879); was not a candidate for renomination in 1878; continued the practice of law in Crawfordsville, Ind., until 1911, and died there on February 6, 1917; interment in the Masonic Cemetery. |
Michael married Laura Ellen McMechan around 1858. They had the following children: Mellie (1862-), John (1865-1931), George (1868-), Grace (1871-), Annie (1873-), Nina (1876-), and Robert (1878-1900). Robert died tragically young at twenty-two years old. The cause of death listed on his death certificate is "Electric Shock." The newspaper announcement in the Columbus Republican, 13 September 1900 had a short note detailing the death.
Robert White, a son of ex-Congressman Michael D. White of Crawfordsville was killed last evening by a live wire. He was stretching a telephone wire across an electric light wire when it cut through the insulation.
Some reports suggested that young Robert believed the power to be disconnected when he was working with the telephone wire, but it either was not or had been off and had been turned back on. Undoubtedly the family was devastated with the loss of their child.
As a child, the youngest White son, Albert, lived with his mother and his step father. His father, Albert Lanson had died when he was forty-three. He is listed on census records as being a young child in a household with his step-siblings.
As an adult, Albert White married Celenira Asenith Casad around 1862. Albert supported his family by farming, first in Indiana and then in Kansas. He and his wife had four children: Lily, Edson, Frank, and William. By 1880 more children had joined the family: Ralph, Harry, John, Russell, and Freddie. The family had also moved from Indiana to Kansas. He died in 1917, the same year that his brother Michael died, in Fredonia, Kansas. His wife, Celenira also died the same year. |
John White was the twin to James L. White. John married Belle M. Spelman. They married on July 20, 1874 in Vermilion, Illinois. This White brother worked as a hotel keeper, per the 1880 census. He managed hotels around Illinois. According to one biographical writing:
“For several days he had been complaining of indigestion but thought nothing of it particularly…Dr. Hatch [was] hastily summoned. It was apparent at once that White was a very sick man, and the physician remained at his bedside the rest of the night. All of yesterday he continued to fail and at 10:45 pm the end came. John W. White came here from Danville, Ill. to take charge of the Tremont House. He was one of the most widely known bonifaces in the country and in his time had been connected with some of the leading hotels.” 13 John White was also married to Ella Clements. They married on October 22, 1878, after the death of Belle.
John White died in 1902. |
James Lanson White and Mary Huggans
These Bible pages record not only the births, marriages, and deaths of the White family - it also documents the experiences of the soldiers. One page, the "Soldier Record" identifies James Lanson White as "My Grandfather" and proceeds to identify the place of his enlistment: Crawford, Indiana. James was 23 years old. He was in the 4th Corps, 2 Division, 3rd Brigade, 9th Indiana Regiment, G Company. He participated in Shiloh, Slone River, Corinth Mississippi, Look-Out-Mountain, as well as other locations. He was wounded at Green Briar, Virginia. He was an ambulance master for 6 months. He was involved in a heavy march from Louisville and went all over the South. He served for three years. He discharged at the end of August in Indianapolis. The page entitled "Memoranda" was recorded by Blanch White, the daughter of James.
Much of the family record seems to have been recorded by daughter Blanche White Hansen. Blanche had married Michael John Hansen (1870-1960) and they had Henry Wallace Hansen (1899) and Geneva Hansen. The Hansen family lived in Kansas.
Blanche credits the naming of her brother to her father's life and war experiences in the "Memoranda" section by stating:
Brother Wallace was in the Spanish Caribbean War in the 20th Kansas Reg & served until close of war. Came through Chanute the day my Wallace was born. Bro Wallace was named after (Gen Lew) Wallace my father's friend he stayed with them when he attended Warbash College. James Lanson White's obituary states: James Lanson White was born June 1, 1838 at Concord, Indiana: died March 23, 1907, aged 65 years, 9 months and 23 days. He was married to mary Belle Huggans at Crawfordsville, Ind. April 11, 1865. To this union was born seven children, four boys and three girls: Albert Sherman White, Danville, Ill.: Annella White gone before: Charles Lanson White, Chanute Kan.; William Wallace White, Wichita, Ks.: Mrs. Blanche Hansen, Chanute Kans.; Mrs. Ella Forcum, Chanute, Kan.; Jas. Leonard White, Chanute, Kansas. At the age of 22 years he enlisted in the Co. G. 9th Ind. Volunteer Infantry and served four years. United with the Christian church in 1867 and continued faithful to the end.14
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Charles Lansing White and Edith Lyle SherlockBorn in 1871 in Rensselaer, Jasper, Indiana Charles Lansing was one of seven children. The 1860s and 1870s presented decades of rapid farm and industrial growth for the changing nation. The White family was one of many to watch the technological and social changes unfold. The Civil War had ended in 1865, a war that brought prosperity, inflation, and death to the United States. The majority of the rail road boom took place in 1868-1873, and the mid-western area of the United States witnessed the expansion first hand.15
In 1870, the projected population of the country was around 39 million people, of that an estimated 18 million were farmers; technologies and equipments continued to develop in the 1870s, introducing grain silos and deeper well drilling during that time.16
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The technologies that were used to increase the storage of grain also extended to the railroad system and the rail boom. Refrigerated cars were developed and introduced in the 1870s, changing the shipping and processing of food items across the country, and allowing for more sophisticated transportation and trade developments.16 Life for an American family living in the open countries of the Western United States, away from the developments of the cities, no doubt welcomed the introduction of kerosene lamps in the 1860s.17 These, and other developments were common place during the early years of Charles White's life.
In 1898 he married Edith Lyle Sherlock in Emporia, Lyon, Kansas.The family moved throughout Kansas, from Twin Groves to Chanute and then to Coyville. Charles and Edith had four children: Charles Vernon (1900), Alice Wilma (1902), Norval White (1903), and Frank (1907).
Charles Lansing White's grandson, Ivan, told this story about his grandfather:
In 1898 he married Edith Lyle Sherlock in Emporia, Lyon, Kansas.The family moved throughout Kansas, from Twin Groves to Chanute and then to Coyville. Charles and Edith had four children: Charles Vernon (1900), Alice Wilma (1902), Norval White (1903), and Frank (1907).
Charles Lansing White's grandson, Ivan, told this story about his grandfather:
I know more about them because...he came to Elizabeth when we lived in the tar-paper shack out at large and spent some time with us. When I’d come in from school, he’d give me - I can’t remember whether it was a nickel or a dime - and I’d go to the store and get me a candy bar. And one time, I was going to the store, and I was flipping the coin and I dropped it on a dirt road and it got under the dust I guess, because I never found it. And I went back and tried to talk him out of another coin, and he said “No, you lost that one, you’re just out.” And then when Vernon would come in from school, he’d give him money and he would up to the store and get something for everyone except me because I already had mine. You know that didn’t bother me. It was a learning lesson, I never played with money after that.
Tall, had blue eyes, had the White forehead...Grandma white liked to cook, and she was a good cook. Grandpa was in construction. And he had been on a job somewhere out of the state, and Grandma didn’t go with him. So he come back, and he had another job somewhere out of the state again and he said well this time I want you to go with me, and she said I’m not going I have a home here and I have family here and I’m involved in the community and I’m just not going. He says well you’ll change your mind. I’ll just sit out on this front porch until you do. And he sat out there until he died, she never changed her mind. But when we come back to the ranch and stopped there, we rode the rain from Holly to Chanute, Kansas. And at Chanute, Kansas we got on a one unit inter-urban freight ad passenger vehicle on the tracks, I think it was diesel, and we went to Coyville on it, and before we got to Coyville we stopped at another town and they had a Y or a V and you went in one way and, I don’t know how it worked, I don’t remember, but when you came out you came out a different way, and so the train car got turned around. Maybe they put us on a turn-style, and turned us around. I can’t remember because it’s been a long time and I didn’t pay that much attention, anyway when we got to Coyville we met and we went to the house and they had two huge trees in the back yard. The first thing Vernon and I did was climb the tree so we could see around. Grandpa had a fit. He told Mom, you need to get those boys out of those trees, they’re going to fall and kill themselves. And she said they’ve been up so may tress they know how to hold on just forget...just ignore them they’ll come down. But he fussed, any time we went up those tress he fussed. 18
Alice, per the 1940 census, worked as an operator at a cream station in Coyville, Kansas. She married George Chipp, a divorced man, whose family lived in Toranto, Kansas per the 1930 census. He had two children from his first marriage.
Norval married twice, first to Blanche and then to Kathryn Kliesen. Norval and Kathryn had one son, Laurence White, in 1948. Laurence died in 2014.
Frank married twice. The first time to Elizabeth Anna Peck, with whom he had his only child, Frank Charles White, in 1929. After Anna's death, he married Veda. Frank Charles died in 2008.
Norval married twice, first to Blanche and then to Kathryn Kliesen. Norval and Kathryn had one son, Laurence White, in 1948. Laurence died in 2014.
Frank married twice. The first time to Elizabeth Anna Peck, with whom he had his only child, Frank Charles White, in 1929. After Anna's death, he married Veda. Frank Charles died in 2008.
Charles Vernon White and Mary Opal Watt
Charles Vernon White, the son of Charles Lansing, was born in Severy, Greenwood, Kansas in 1900. On March 5, 1924 he married Mary Opal Watt in Iola, Allen, Kansas. He was an ambulance driver during World War II. Charles and Mary had two sons: Vernon Lyle (1926) and Ivan Dale (1928). The White family moved from Kansas to Pennsylvania. First they lived in a tent upon a hill in Pennsylvania. Then, Charles moved the family into what Ivan referred to as a "tar paper shack" - it was beer crates that had been covered with tar paper. Charles worked at a factory in Large, Pennsylvania. The family lived there during the Great Depression. Ivan recalled the family moving to a farm to help the owner. The children would help the farm work. Ivan, especially, remembered feeding cows and chickens. He said that the president had wanted a chicken in every pot, and the processing of chickens was something that they helped with at the farm. After living in Pennsylvania, the family moved to Jacinto City, Harris, Texas where Charles died in 1981.
Charles White enlisted as a Sergeant Casual during World War I. He was honorably discharged from the United States military in 1918. He had initially enlisted at the age of 18 to be a chauffeur.
He served in Nice, France. Ivan recalled information that Charles had told him:
He served in Nice, France. Ivan recalled information that Charles had told him:
You know they had the Geneva Convention and the ambulances were marked with a big white square and a big red cross so that the Germans or the Italians whoever they were fighting wouldn’t shoot at them. So, they would go up to the front and pick up the wounded and he learned first aid and they’d bring them back to the hospital or the morgue whichever it happens to be, and after they delivered those people to where they was supposed to go then he’d go by the ammunition warehouse and they loaded the ambulance with ammunition and he drove it back up to the front. 19
Charles' youngest son, Ivan recalled:
He looked like a typical White, blue eyes and high forehead. He was a little taller than Vernon and I...but he might have been as tall as Grandpa - no, he wasn’t because when we lived in the tar paper shack Grandpa walked through one of the doorways and banged his head and broke the skin. And Dad never did that, course Dad might have ducked too, I never paid attention. Dad was strict. When he said don’t, you didn’t because if you did, you got a pretty heavy dose of correction...he had been an ambulance driver in World War I. He had been an aircraft mechanic after World War I and had gone to Wichita, Kansas to work at a factory there. There were two factories there, and I think he might have worked at Boing and then when the Depression hit - or something, maybe the company went bankrupt or lost a contract or something, anyway he got a chance, I guess probably with his father’s influence, to work in construction and he was crane operator. 20
Charles' activities as a crane operator were not always kind to him. He injured himself on more than one occasion. Ivan recalled that his parents met after a crane accident:
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Charles Vernon and Mary Opal had two sons. Vernon Lyle White was born on September 24, 1926 in Kansas City, Jackson, Missouri. Ivan recalled that Vernon had been born in a hospital, but that he had been born at home in Kansas. The White children spent their youth in Pennsylvania, and during the summers they would go to Colorado to work on the family farm that their maternal grandparents owned. Vernon graduated from Galena Park High School in 1944. He retired from the navy RMC(SS) in January 1971 after serving 27 years with the submarine service.
Vernon was married twice in his life. Vernon married Betty Sue Dollar in the late 1940s. One child was born from that union, William Lyle White, who was born prematurely and died a few days after his birth. Vernon's second marriage was to Eleanor Marie Allen and from their marriage three children were born: Patricia (1952), Michael (1954), and Timothy (1960).
Vernon had been born in a hospital, but Ivan had been born at home with the attendance of a midwife. Vernon and Ivan spent their childhood in Pennsylvania. Their father worked in the factory in Large, Pennsylvania. The family lived in a tent for approximately a year before the tar-paper shack was constructed. The tar paper shack was the home of the White family until the plant closed. Charles got a new job in Glassport, Pennsylvania and he walked to work.
Ivan indicated that his father's World War I medical training came in handy more than one time while raising two boys: |
From his first aid he - anytime we got a cut, a bruise... I broke my arm standing up going down a sliding board, and got knocked off the slide and my arm stuck out and I ran up to the picnic table and dad grabbed my arm and straightened it out and put it back together. And some guys cut a cardboard box and made splints and wrapped my arm and took me to a doctor and the doctor took and X-ray to see if he was going to have to reset the bone, and said "I couldn't do it any better." 22
They boys grew up on Ed McGowan's farm. Ivan recalled one incident from the farm:
And when Vernon hit me in the head with an ax, I ran to the house blood coming out over my face, mother about passed out, but dad came in and sewed my head up. Well, we were cutting out a row of big weeds and little trees, trash you know, shrubs out along side of the barn. I was on one end with a hatchet and vernon was on the other end with an ax. And Dad’s out there taking the stuff off, and so we got down to one brush left, and I was down there right at it and so I says “I’ll get it!” And Vernon says, “I’ll get it!” So while he’s swinging back his ax, I’m down there chopping “chop, chop, chop, chop, chop,” and he swang the ax and hit me in the head. 23 |
Ivan White and Doris Cobb
Ivan was born in Kansas City, Kansas. Ivan grew up in Elizabeth, Pennsylvania. Ivan later discovered that the farm he stole apples from in his youth belonged to the Wylie family - the same family that his own daughter would marry into some years later.
In 1949 he married Doris "Dot" O'Neal Cobb. They had four children: Glenn (1950), Unnamed Baby White (1951), Cynthia (1952), Patrick (1954), and Kathleen (1957).
In 1949 he married Doris "Dot" O'Neal Cobb. They had four children: Glenn (1950), Unnamed Baby White (1951), Cynthia (1952), Patrick (1954), and Kathleen (1957).
Ivan made a career out of the military. He was stationed in various bases across the United States. He spent time in Korea, England, Scotland, Cuba, and South America. He was involved in photo mapping. In the 1960s, the family moved to San Angelo, Tom Green, Texas.
While stationed in Florida, he participated in Twelve O'Clock High as an extra. He recalled:
While stationed in Florida, he participated in Twelve O'Clock High as an extra. He recalled:
I was at Eglin Field, Florida they filmed Twelve O'Clock High. THey asked for extras, and I volunteered to be an extra. And so, we were out at one of the auxiliary fields, and my part - I was in a room with a bunch of other people that were in for a briefing for a mission and we're all in sheep-skin lined flight jackets and it was June or July, in Northwest Florida. No air condition in that quonset hut. We're all sitting there sweating like...everything. And the big paid actors are doing the briefing. And some of them are in the crowd because they have to ask questions and stuff, the rest of us just sat there like bumps on a log. But they scanned the whole room. And so I was in the movie, you couldn't tell who I was. And then, the outstanding thing about it was they rented a B-17 from some company in California that had one that had been taken out of commission for some reason and they had bought that, and if you saw the movie you saw b-17's flying all over the place - that was the only B-17 they had. They had to do a crash landing and so they had this pilot and they - he brought that B-17 in with wheels up and landed it. And he got 1000 a day every day he was there, if he flew he got 10000. So flying to get the plane down there, I don't remember how many days they took it to get there, but I do know when they were taking pictures of b-17 going off, they did about 3 take offs and the interspersed those with enough difference in the direction |
they were taken from - you know from the front or rom the back or the side - so it looked like you had a whole bunch of B-17s. And they changed the numbers on the tail, same thing when they was landing - it was all one B-17. And the last one to land was the one he landed with wheels up. And they had, I think they had a spoke pot in the back so it would look like the engine was on fire or something. Anyway then when he landed it he said jack it up and put wheels and props on it and I'll take it back to California, and they wouldn't do it. They salvaged it. anyway, but it was an interesting experience. I got ten dollars. Hey, my across the board pay was about eight dollars and a quarter every month, because I sent ten dollars a month home to mom. She was supposed to be saving it for me...I was supposed to get eighteen dollars and twenty-five cents a month, and I sent ten dollars home so I got eight dollars and a quarter. Well, they furnished everything except cigarettes, and so you know, that was plenty.24
When Ivan was stationed in Korea, he spent his time on the military base. He recalled this story:
Sunday morning, my NCOIC [Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge] and I shared quarters, and I had a weapons carrier - it's a type of truck - and we were on our way to breakfast at the NCO club [Non-Commissioned Officer] and we were talking about business. And, I stopped at a stop sign. The main gate had traffic that came in that way, but there was nobody coming from any direction. And I don't know why, I sat there. I never have done that. And, usually I just stop at the stop sign and drive on if there's nothing coming, and I keep talking. Well, this time I stopped and we talked about five minutes. And while we're talking, I'm looking down the street and I saw this - it looked sort of fuzzy and I'm trying to figure out why it looked fuzzy, and still talking. And then I started up. And it, we went probably a block and it wasn't fuzzy anymore, and so I didn't think anything about it, went on and we went to eating breakfast at the NCO club, and one of the other people that worked our section - I think he was the Chief Clerk at our office - came in and said, "Did you hear about the shooting?" And we said, "What shooting?" "Well, and OJT was loading a 50 caliber machine gun in an air craft down on the flight line and the guy that was supposed to be supervising went back in base ops and while he was in base ops the guy finished loading the 50 rounds belt of ammunition and slammed the breach closed, and he hadn't put the safety on it and it ran the whole belt of the 50 caliber machine gun bullets - that was the fuzzy thing I saw going across the road. It shot up a whole row of quonset huts, about 20 quonset huts. And, everybody was either at breakfast or at church, except one man who was writing a letter home, and it broke a bottle of aftershave lotion on a shelf over his head, and he's sitting there looking where'd all this stuff come from that's dropping all over his letter, and didn't stand up, and it saved his life. He didn't even hear the machine gun going off. 25
Major Harvey E. Hawkins wrote a Letter of Appreciation to Ivan White on 14 March 1955 which stated:
1. I desire to express to you my deep appreciation for your services rendered. You have not performed for a long time under my supervision but you have performed well.
2. I have never in my experience seen a person so versatile in crafts. You are qualified in photography, leather and wood working which makes you a valuable supervisor.
3. You have demonstrated ingenuity which is outstanding.
4. I submit that in a very short time that you will have the best Hobby Craft Shop and crafts program in the Far East. I believe you fully capable of developing an expansion program that will be outstanding.
5. You are a person that requires very little if any supervision and I am counting on you to continue the fine work under my successor.
6. You are neat, loyal, courteous and trustworthy. I commend you for a job well done.
After retiring from the military, Ivan made and sold jewelry, stained glass windows, made kaleidoscopes, and painted. He and his wife were involved in Code Blue, a citizens patrol, receiving the Jefferson Award for their services for the community.
In 2010 Doris "Dot" died. Ivan passed away on November 2, 2018.
In 2010 Doris "Dot" died. Ivan passed away on November 2, 2018.
Glenn White and Janice Thurman
Glenn White, the son of Ivan and Dot White, married Janice Thurman and they had two children together: Jason Allan White (1975) and Brian Michael White (1978).
Jason White was born on June 25, 1974 in Austin, Texas.
Jason was a happy child, with strawberry blonde hair. His aunt, Kathleen, recalled a trip with Jason and Brian to Alabama for a Cobb family reunion. The entire drive from Austin, Texas to Arab, Alabama Kathleen insists that Jason read every speed limit sign "Speed Limit 55" because he had just learned to read. He earned the nickname "Garth" in high school because of his love of western wear. On June 22, 1996, he married Sheryl Couch. Cousin Heather, recalled that Sheryl wore white tennis shoes underneath her wedding dress - Sheryl gathered Heather and Caitlin close and pulled up the edge of her dress, showing off her shoes. Heather remembered feeling like she had been let in on a secret! Jason wore a black cowboy hat, which he removed and covered his and his brides face when he kissed her. Heather was a flower girl in the wedding, and her sister Caitlin was a ring bearer. |
Jason and Sheryl had three children: Shane, Logan, and Macy White. Jason and Sheryl's divorce was final on August 16, 2006.
Jason became a police officer with the Bee Caves police department, which he did for some time. Jason had a quick smile and a giggly laugh.
Jason died on March 20, 2007 after a motor vehicle accident.
Jason became a police officer with the Bee Caves police department, which he did for some time. Jason had a quick smile and a giggly laugh.
Jason died on March 20, 2007 after a motor vehicle accident.
Friends wrote: My prayers and deepest sympathy are with you. I met Jason while recruiting at the police academy in San Marcos. I want you all to know that Jason was a special person. He made me laugh when I was down and always remained positive during tough times. He had desire, motivation, and the heart of a champion. I recall meeting his children at the police department. I saw it in their eyes, “they were proud of their daddy”. He wore the badge with honor and took the oath to serve and protect the lives of others. Go be with God: I will miss you my brother, peace officer, and most importantly, “my friend”. Steven Gonzalez (Former Police Chief: Bee Cave Police Department)
I had the pleasure of worshiping with Jason and his family at the Buda-Kyle Church of Christ. Jason loved his children. My prayers are with Shane, Logan, Macy and the White family. May God comfort you during this difficult time. In Christian Love, Rita My sincerest condolences to Jason's children and family. I had the pleasure of working with Jason at Bee Cave and was impressed by his dedication and love of his job. Angela Palmer My prayers and thoughts are with you all during this difficult time! I had the privilege to be Jason's FTO Trainer at Bee Cave Police Department. He was on of KIND! So full of life! I will always remember our great conversations and his wonderful SMILE! He will be greatly missed! May his legacy live on... May God bless each and everyone of you... Love and Prayers, SGT. R (Former Sgt. at Bee Cave PD) I was in the academy with Jason, and there wasn't a day when he didn't make us laugh. I know that he's using that same wit to make others laugh even now. Jason, you'll be missed. Joseph Crowell The Best nephew a aunt could have. Aunt Cindy White We will all miss Jason. I was the training coorinator for CAPCOG #41 and he was a pleasure to have in this program. His desire to succeed in Law Enforcement was evident thoughout our 8+ months together. I, too, am feeling your loss. God is with you Jason. Jeffrey L. Jamison, Sergeant My heart goes out to your entire family. Jason was a brother in blue, a co-worker, a graduate with me, and most importanly a friend. He always brightened up my day. May God help you all through this difficult time. Stephanie D. Campbell We had the priviledge of having Jason as a neighbor and dear friend these past five years. As it has been said, he was a great man and a loving and dedicated father. He will truly be missed by us! Please accept our deepest sympathy and know that our prayers are with the family, especially his children. May the peace of Christ be with you all during this difficult time. We are here if you need us. James and Emily Ninos Everybody at the Bee Cave Police Department sends their Hearts and Prayers out to the Family of Jason White; please let us know if there is anything that you need. Bee Cave Police Department. 29 |
Ivan recalled about Brian:
We were on a volks-walk out of Fredericksburg. Everybody that walked the distance, I don’t know it was ten miles or something like that, and the deal was that you had to walk the miles. I think it might have been seven or eight miles for one award and nine or ten for another. And so we were walking the short one with the boys. Of course Brian, being the youngest and smallest got tired. He wanted us to carry him. We told him, we can’t carry you because if we carry you, you don’t get your award, you don’t get your medal for walking this distance. And so he’d stop and watch the ants and we were early in getting there and when we finally got finished we were about the last ones to finish because we wouldn’t carry him, made him walk, and he had to rest. Finally I told him if you can make this last mile of the walk I’ll get you a bag of jelly beans, and the’ll be your jelly beans. You can eat the hole bag, and So he made that mile. And then Dot and I decided we’d go ahead and finish the rest of the long walk and did that. By the time we got back to the car, he was just about zonked out. So we got in the car and drove back...and I stopped at a convenience store and got two bags of jelly beans - one for the family and one for Brian. Got back to the ca and he was sound asleep. We got back home and he got his bag of jelly beans and he got his medal. When they got back to the Thurman’s they told the Judge they earned the medal and he couldn’t believe they had walked those distances. But it was a challenge and they both remembered that. Brian still talks about it once in a while. But he learned if you have a goal that you set that you want to do, you can do it. And I think that has helped him decide to do what he wants to do. 30 |
Samuel Wylie and Kathleen White
Kathleen White married Samuel John Wylie, III - the son of Samuel John Wylie, Jr. and Josephine Wylie. They had two children: Heather (1988) and Caitlin (1992).
Growing up in the same town as their grandparents, Ivan's granddaughters spent many an afternoon at their grandparents house. The girls attended Angelo Catholic School, and their grandparents would come to pick them up every day.
Ivan's granddaughter Heather wrote: "When I was little, Grandma and Grandpa kept a little blue chalk board in the living room. One day, I drew a design on it and told my Grandfather, who made stained class windows, that I would like him to make me a window. I drew a heart in the middle, three diamonds (two at the side and one at the bottom), and two swan shapes to the side. My grandmother took this picture the day that he gave it to me. I love this stained glass window. I can still see the drawing on that blue chalk board and I am amazed that he was able to take the drawing of a child and make it a piece of art. "31 |
Ivan recalled about Caitlin:
She called one day and said Grandpa can I come live with you, these people over here don’t love me. I said yes honey you can come over and live with me, just get your mother to help you pack your bag. I guess she went to get Kathleen to pack her bag, and I guess they settled their difference.32
Figures
Fig. 1 - Birth Record. Connecticut, Town Marriage Records, pre-1870 (Barbour Collection). Provo, UT: Ancestry. com Operations, Inc., 2006. ancestry.com.
Fig. 2 - Land Warrant for Nathaniel White. U.S. General Land Office Records, 1796 - 1907. Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations Inc., 2008. ancestry.com.
Fig. 1 - "Michael White" - photo contributed to findagrave.com by Bill McKern
Fig. 2 - "Albert White" - contributed by Heather Wylie
Fig. 3 - "John William White: - contributed by Heather Wylie
Fig. 4 - "James White" - photo contributed to findagrave.com by Joyce Daugherty Johnson
Fig.5 - "James White Obituary" - contributed by Heather Wylie from newspapers.com
Fig. 6 - Fig.10 - "White Family Bible" - contributed by Heather Wylie
Fig. 11 - "Blanche White" - contributed by Heather Wylie
Fig. 12 - "Charles Lansing White" - contributed by Heather Wylie
Fig. 13 - "Charles White World War I" - contributed by Cynthia White
Fig. 14 - "Wedding Portrait of Charles and Mary Opal White" - contributed by Heather Wylie, photo belongs to Pat and Patti White
Fig. 15 - "Vernon and Patricia White" - contributed by Heather Wylie
Fig. 16 - "Ivan and Vernon White" - contributed by Heather Wylie
Fig. 17 - "Ivan White in Korea" - contributed by Heather Wylie
Fig. 18 - "Four Generations: Ivan White, Glenn White, Jason White, and Shane and Logan White" - contributed by Heather Wylie
Fig. 19 - "Obituary" - retrieved from Newspapers.com
Fig. 19 - "Brian and Macy White" - contributed by Heather Wylie, photo belongs to Kathleen Wylie
Fig. 2 - Land Warrant for Nathaniel White. U.S. General Land Office Records, 1796 - 1907. Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations Inc., 2008. ancestry.com.
Fig. 1 - "Michael White" - photo contributed to findagrave.com by Bill McKern
Fig. 2 - "Albert White" - contributed by Heather Wylie
Fig. 3 - "John William White: - contributed by Heather Wylie
Fig. 4 - "James White" - photo contributed to findagrave.com by Joyce Daugherty Johnson
Fig.5 - "James White Obituary" - contributed by Heather Wylie from newspapers.com
Fig. 6 - Fig.10 - "White Family Bible" - contributed by Heather Wylie
Fig. 11 - "Blanche White" - contributed by Heather Wylie
Fig. 12 - "Charles Lansing White" - contributed by Heather Wylie
Fig. 13 - "Charles White World War I" - contributed by Cynthia White
Fig. 14 - "Wedding Portrait of Charles and Mary Opal White" - contributed by Heather Wylie, photo belongs to Pat and Patti White
Fig. 15 - "Vernon and Patricia White" - contributed by Heather Wylie
Fig. 16 - "Ivan and Vernon White" - contributed by Heather Wylie
Fig. 17 - "Ivan White in Korea" - contributed by Heather Wylie
Fig. 18 - "Four Generations: Ivan White, Glenn White, Jason White, and Shane and Logan White" - contributed by Heather Wylie
Fig. 19 - "Obituary" - retrieved from Newspapers.com
Fig. 19 - "Brian and Macy White" - contributed by Heather Wylie, photo belongs to Kathleen Wylie
Sources
1.Massachusetts, Town and Vital Record, 1620 - 1988. Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. , 2011. ancestry.com.
2. Brown, Dorothy L. W. The Ancestry of George Clinton White and Julia Ann Noel White And Their Descendants: A Supplement to The History of Nathaniel White, Hannah Finch White And Their Descendants by Ethel Conger Heagler, 1938, (1974), 28.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid, 34.
5. Ibid.
6. Ibid, 35.
7. White, Nathaniel. Application for Pension. http://www.heritagequestonline.com
8. Ibid.
9. Ibid.
10. Ibid.
11. Brown, The Ancestry of George Clinton White and Julia Ann Noel White and their Descendants (1974), 46.
12. Lane, Joyce and Wallner, Beverly. E-mail Interview. 12 September 1999.
13. "Biographical Notes." ancestry,com, May 15 2010.
14. "James Lanson White Obituary." Buffalo Advocate (1907).
15. "Timeline 1860-1880." www.agclassroom.org
16. Ibid.
17. Ibid.
18. White, Ivan. Personal Interview. 3 October 2011.
19. Ibid.
20. Ibid.
21.Ibid.
22. Ibid.
23. Ibid.
24. Ibid.
25. White, Ivan. Personal Interview. 6 November 2011.
27. Ibid.
28. Letter of Appreciation, Major Harvey Hawkins, 14 March 1955.
29. Guestbook online at wcfish.com
30. White, Ivan. Personal Interview. 8 November 2011.
31. Wylie, Heather. Personal Interview.
32. White, Ivan. Personal Interview. 8 November 2011.
2. Brown, Dorothy L. W. The Ancestry of George Clinton White and Julia Ann Noel White And Their Descendants: A Supplement to The History of Nathaniel White, Hannah Finch White And Their Descendants by Ethel Conger Heagler, 1938, (1974), 28.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid, 34.
5. Ibid.
6. Ibid, 35.
7. White, Nathaniel. Application for Pension. http://www.heritagequestonline.com
8. Ibid.
9. Ibid.
10. Ibid.
11. Brown, The Ancestry of George Clinton White and Julia Ann Noel White and their Descendants (1974), 46.
12. Lane, Joyce and Wallner, Beverly. E-mail Interview. 12 September 1999.
13. "Biographical Notes." ancestry,com, May 15 2010.
14. "James Lanson White Obituary." Buffalo Advocate (1907).
15. "Timeline 1860-1880." www.agclassroom.org
16. Ibid.
17. Ibid.
18. White, Ivan. Personal Interview. 3 October 2011.
19. Ibid.
20. Ibid.
21.Ibid.
22. Ibid.
23. Ibid.
24. Ibid.
25. White, Ivan. Personal Interview. 6 November 2011.
27. Ibid.
28. Letter of Appreciation, Major Harvey Hawkins, 14 March 1955.
29. Guestbook online at wcfish.com
30. White, Ivan. Personal Interview. 8 November 2011.
31. Wylie, Heather. Personal Interview.
32. White, Ivan. Personal Interview. 8 November 2011.