- CHARLES WHITE, who is engaged in farming and stock raising
on section 15, Porter Township,
- is of Scottish birth. He was born Aug. 18, 1837, in Fifeshire,
Scotland, and is a son of John and Jean (STEWART) WHITE. While
residing in his native land John WHITE engaged in the manufacture
of linen goods, following that avocation until 1841, when selling
out his interest, he embarked for America. After landing in this
country he spent one year in New York, during which time he visited
Wisconsin for the purpose of making a location. Being pleased
with the prospects and land of Porter Township, he entered a
claim and then returned to his home in the East for his family,
making a permanent settlement the following year. Building a
little log cabin, he then began the work of cultivation, transforming
the wild and unimproved land into a fertile farm. As time passed,
by industry and enterprise, he was enabled to add to the original
tract of 160 acres, which he preempted, until at length 800 broad
acres paid tribute to the care and labor which he bestowed upon
it. Mr. WHITE was well known through the county and was an important
factor in the development and upbuilding of Porter Township.
At the time of his death he still had in his possession 700 acres
of land comprising as fine a farm as can be found in Southern
Wisconsin. In 1861 the little log cabin which had been the home
of his family during the pioneer days when hardships and privations
were many, was replaced by a commodious and beautiful brick residence,
two stories in height. It is surrounded by large evergreens and
is not only a home pleasant to look upon, but hospitality and
good cheer abounds.
- The children born to Mr. and Mrs. John WHITE were six in
number, the eldest of whom, Bell, is
- deceased; Margaret, the second child, is now the wife of
John EARLE, a resident farmer of Porter Township; Alexander is
also living in Porter Township; Charles, of this sketch, is the
fourth in order of birth; James is an extensive tobacco dealer
residing in Brooklyn, Green County, Wis.; Isabel is the wife
of John COPLEY, a resident of Edgerton. The father of this family
departed this life Sept. 5, 1886, at the ripe old age of eighty-four
years, and was laid to rest in Fulton cemetery by the side of
his loved wife, who was summoned to her final home Feb. 12, 1883.
Mr. and Mrs. WHITE were members of the Presbyterian Church, and
socially he was a member of the Masonic fraternity. In political
sentiment he was an ardent and inflexible adherent of the Republican
party, a firm believer in the principles of that great organization.
- Charles WHITE, the subject of this sketch, received the greater
part of his education in the
- common schools, but for one year attended the Albion Academy,
in Dane County. His early life was spent in much the same manner
as other farmer lads, he assisting his father in the management
of the farm until his marriage, which occurred Dec. 10, 1865,
when Miss Mary A. TAYLOR became his wife. The lady is a native
of Rock County, and a daughter of Robert and Mary (SMITH) TAYLOR,
who were early settlers of Rock County of 1842, when they located
in Spring Valley Township, where Mr. TAYLOR died in May 1886.
Mrs. TAYLOR is still living on their old homestead. Nine children
have been born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. WHITE, of whom all
living are residing with their parents. John, born Jan. 1, 1866;
Mamie, now deceased; Robert, born Aug. 13, 1870; Susie, Sept.
8, 1872; Jean, Sept. 13, 1874; Maggie, March 8, 1876; Mamie,
April 30, 1878; Helen, March 27, 1886; and Hazel, March 7, 1889.
- After his marriage Mr. WHITE began operating his father's
farm, and in 1868, in connection with
- his brothers, purchased the Fulton Mills, which they operated
for fourteen years. During that time he still carried on farming,
and is now operating 340 acres of land, which is a part of the
old homestead. His stock is all of the best grades, and he makes
a specialty of the breeding of short horn cattle, Clydesdale
horses, Shetland ponies and Oxfordown sheep. His is one of the
model farms of Rock County, the improvements on which are equal
to any, while the entire surroundings indicate the owner to be
a man of thrift and enterprise. On the farm of Mr. WHITE are
situated the Caledonia Springs, in which is found an abundance
of speckled trout. This is regarded as the best trout stream
in the State.
- Public spirited and progressive, Mr. WHITE is a valued citizen
and is a liberal supporter of all
- public enterprises which have for their object the public
good. He has been prominently identified with the upbuilding
of the community, and in the work of advancement and progress
has borne no inconsiderable part. In his social relations, Mr.
WHITE is a member of the Masonic Order, being a member of Waucoma
Lodge No. 90, A.F. & A.M., and has filled the office of secretary.
He is an ardent and enthusiastic Republican, and no resident
of Rock County is held in higher regard.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 564-565.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
|