From: A Twentieth Century History of Allegan County,

From:  A Twentieth Century History of Allegan County, Michigan

By Henry F. ThomasPublished 1907, Lewis Publishing Co.

LIEUTENANT WILLIAM WHITE.—The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch bears a most honorable record in both military and private circles, and his honesty and integrity is ever above reproach. He is one of three brothers who emigrated to the United States, one of whom, David, is a resident of Saugatuck, and whose parents were George and Jane (Desson) White, both of whom were natives, of Scotland, but later took up reports concerning the United States and the opportunities which it offered to young men of ambition and enterprise, Mr. White, in company with his brother David, decided to try his fortune in this country, and accordingly, in 1855, made his way to Michigan, locating in Saugatuck township, and both he and his brother have since continued their residence here to the present time. After a decade had passed, Mr. White, having saved his earnings, was thus enabled to start out in life on his own account and made a purchase of eighty acres of land, which was in its wild and uncultivated state. He at once set to work to clear his land and develop his fields, and soon his property was placed in a productive and improved condition. He plowed his fields, planted his crops, and each year annually harvested crops, and as time passed and his financial resources permitted he further improved his property by the erection of good buildings, which are modern and convenient in their construction and thus add materially to the value of his farm. He later increased the boundaries of his farm by the purchase of an additional twenty-acre tract, so that his place now comprises one hundred acres of good land, which has greatly increased in value since coming into his possession and today it ranks second to none in Allegan county. He has a fine orchard, containing one thousand peach trees, four hundred pear, trees, three hundred apple trees, one thousand plum trees, twenty-five cherry trees and twelve hundred currant bushes, and thus it will be seen that fruit growing is an important branch of his business. In addition he carries on general farming and altogether has met with unbounded success in his business venture.

His private business interests were interrupted when, in 1862, the call was made for loyal men who were willing to give their service in defense of the Union at the time of the Civil War. Mr. White willingly responded, for he had formed an attachment for his adopted country. He enlisted as a private in Company I, Fifth Michigan Volunteer Cavalry, but was soon promoted to the office of first sergeant in 1863. In 1864 he was taken prisoner at Stevensville, Virginia, and was sent to Andersonville prison, where he was held for one year, after which he was exchanged and returned to his regiment. In 1865 he was promoted to the office of second lieutenant, and when he received his discharge was serving as first lieutenant.

With the exception of the year he was held as a prisoner he took part in all the battles and skirmishes of his regiment, and during his service was never ill or wounded and never missed a meal. At the close of hostilities he returned home, having made a most creditable military record.

Mr. White was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Martin, a daughter of Josiah and Amy Martin, who were numbered among the early pioneer settlers of Allegan county. Unto our subject and his wife have been born three daughters—Mrs. Jennie Marwedel, Mrs. Mary A. Koning, and Bessie, the wife of William G. Tisdale. Mr. White has served as justice of the Union at the time of the Civil war. Mr. White willingly responded, supervisor for two years, being the present incumbent in that office. He holds membership relations with the Grand Army of the Republic, in which he has served as senior vice-commander and has also been aide-de-camp on the state staff, thus maintaining pleasant relations with his old army comrades. Mr. White has led a" very busy life and is honored by all with whom he has been associated, for he is known for his reliability and straightforward dealing, and a review of his life history will show that his private and political relations have, like his military record, been creditable and honorable.