Biographical Sketch of

James W. White

Transcribed by Sandra Boudrou for the Marquette Co WI Pages


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 721 - 722


James W. White, a farmer and stockraiser of section 13, Berlin Township, Green Lake County, was born in the 
town of Lee, Berkshire Co., Mass., April 16, 1834, and is of English descent.  His father, James White, Sr., 
was born in Lincolnshire, England, and there spent his boyhood days, but when eighteen years of age ran away 
from home and came to the United States, locating in Massachusetts, where he spent the greater part of his 
life.  In his youth he learned the blacksmith's trade, which business he followed for a livelihood.  Going 
to Connecticut, he became acquainted with the lady who afterward became his wife.  Later, he returned to 
Massachusetts with her, but after a few short years she was called to her final home, dying in 1838.  She 
left three children--Sarah, who is now the wife of Hiram Baker, of Massachusetts; Hannah, who died at the 
age of thirty-two years; and James W.  Mr. White died in the prime of life at the age of forty-nine years.  
He was well known in the community where he resided and was highly respected.
 
Our subject was only four years old when the death of his mother occurred.  He remained with his father until 
eleven years of age when he went to live with his sister, remaining an inmate of her home until 1853, when 
he came to Wisconsin.  He located in what is now Waushara County, but soon afterward came to Green Lake 
County, and turned his attention to the occupation to which he had been reared--farming.  When a young man 
he determined to make blacksmithing his life work, but after two years spent in that business he was forced 
to abandon it on account of his health.  He had continued his farming operations in this county until the 
breaking out of the Civil War, when he entered the service of the government, working as a blacksmith in 
Nashville, Tenn., for eight months.  At the end of that time he received his discharge and returned home.
 
On April 26, 1867, Mr. White was united in marriage with Mrs. Mary A. Smith, widow of Edgar W. Smith, a 
native of Susquehanna County.  He was born Sept. 8, 1829, and in his native county was united in marriage 
with Mrs. White.  They came to Green Lake County in 1852, his death occurring ten years later.  Three 
children were born of that union--D. Etta, who died at the age of thirty-three years; DeWitt, a farmer 
of Ft. Pierre, Dakota; and Ada, wife of Frank Warren.  The father of Mrs. White, Joseph Smith, was born 
in Connecticut, Nov. 19, 1791, and wedded Belinda Bartram, who was born in the same State, Nov. 24, 1798.  
From Connecticut they removed with their parents to New York where they were married.  On leaving the 
Empire State they became residents of Ohio, where the father died in 1867.  The mother is still living 
and is now in the ninety-second year of her age.  In their family were ten children, five of whom are 
yet living, but Mrs. White is the only one that makes her home in Wisconsin.
 
Our subject and his wife began their domestic life upon the farm in Berlin Township, which still continues 
to be their home, and there was born unto them one child--J. Alfred, who married Lula Owen, and assists his 
father in the management of the farm.  Mr. White owns 120 acres of valuable land with a neat and tasty residence, 
good barns and outbuildings, excellent grades of stock and the latest improved machinery.  As a citizen, he 
willingly and promptly discharges his duties and well deserves a representation in this volume.  Politically, 
he is a Republican and both he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church.






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