Source: Portait & Biographical Album of Whiteside County, Illinois
Originally published 1885
Chapman Brothers, Chicago, IL

Transcribed by: Denise McLoughlin
Tampico Area Historical Society
www.tampicohistoricalsociety.citymax.com

Page 771

John W. White, attorney at Tampico, was born Oct. 7, 1852, in La Salle Co., Ill. His father, John White, was born near the city of Rome, Oneida Co., N. Y. The family are descendants of ancestry that settled in the Empire State in the earliest period of its history. The senior White went in his early life to Allegany County, in his native State, and was married in Danville, to Thankful Clark, who was of similar birth and ancestry. Mr. White became Captain of the State Militia, of the section where he resided, and held his commission under Gov. Seward until he resigned to come West. In 1851, the family removed to La Salle Co., Ill., and fixed their residence at Northville. The mother died there in 1854, when John W. was but two years old. The father removed after her death to Whiteside County, and lived in Hahnaman Township, settling later in the Township of Tampico, where he died, in 1879, aged 69.

Mr. White of this sketch was a member of his father's family till 1875, working on the farm and attending school. In that year he went to Minnesota and thence to Iowa. He became a student of law with the legal firm of White & Vamer, of Adel, Dallas County, and read for his profession under their preceptorship until 1877, when he came to Tampico, and established his business. He has conducted his affairs singly. Mr. White was admitted to the privileges of the Courts of Iowa, at Des Moines, in 1876, and of those of the tribunals of Illinois, in 1878, on examination before the proper authorities. Mr. White has met with the success which is the just reward of industrious application in  his business relations. He has acquired by purchase farm and town property in Tampico Township, and in the village where he resides. He is also the owner of a very complete law library.

Mr. White was married April 7, 1883, at Rock Falls, Whiteside County, to Lizzie, only daughter of Charles E. and Mary (Russell) Payson. She was born Oct. 21, 1857, in Chemung Co., N. Y. her parents moved to Sterling when she was 12 years of age, going later to Rock Falls. Before her marriage, Mrs. White was engaged in the business of dressmaking. Bessie, born Feb. 11, 1884, is the only child.

Mr. White is a Republican of decided type. He is at present (1885) Village Attorney, and has held the office a number of years. He has also been Supervisor several terms. He is Senior Warden of the Masonic Lodge at Tampico, of which he is a member. Mr. and Mrs. White are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he being one of the Church officers.