Biography - William White
WILLIAM G. WHITE, M. D., a practicing and eminent physician of Elvira Township, was born in Breckenridge County, Ky., May 21, 1853. His father, Jacob S. White, M. D., was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, and his father was born in Scotland. Emigrating to the United States, he settled in Columbiana County, Ohio, purchased a farm and spent the rest of his days there. He was the only member of his family that ever came to the United States. Jacob S. White left the parental roof at the age of fourteen, and ever afterward cared for himself. He at first went to Louisiana, and was engaged at various kinds of work there. He was very industrious and made the best of his opportunities to acquire property and knowledge, and early in life turned his attention to the study of medicine. He was graduated from the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, and was almost immediately appointed surgeon on one of the steamers plying in the Gulf of Mexico. In 1850 he resigned and went to Breckenridge County, Ky., and practiced his profession there until 1857, when he removed to Kokomo, Ind., and was in active practice until the breaking out of the war.
When war was declared, the father of our subject was appointed surgeon of the Thirty-fourth Regiment of Indiana Infantry, in which position he served until failing health compelled him to resign. He found, however, that his health was permanently broken, and his death occurred October 17, 1865. The maiden name of his wife was Elizabeth A. Grant, a native of Breckenridge County, Ky., and a daughter of Daniel Grant, of Virginian ancestry. Her mother was Adeline Barger, who was born near Spottsylvania Court House, Va., where some of her relatives still live.
Dr. William G. White was twelve years old when his father died, and he was reared by his maternal grandparents until he was sixteen years old, in the meantime learning the trade of a wood engraver. At the age of seventeen years he began clerking in a drug store, and continued thus engaged five years, in which time he turned his attention to the study of medicine, and in March, 1882, was graduated from the Indiana Medical College, and immediately located in Jonesborough, Ill., and engaged in the practice of his profession there until 1885, when he was severely injured by being thrown from a carriage, and was consequently compelled to abandon his practice. He went to Indianapolis and remained there until sufficiently recovered to resume his professional labors, and then went to King's Mills, Ohio, where he was employed as physician by the Great Western Powder Company, remaining in their employ two years. He then located at Buncombe, Johnson County, where he at once entered upon a very successful practice. In February, 1876, he was married to Flora Bossaman, a native of Indiana, and a daughter of Adam and Salome Bossaman. Dr. White and his wife are the parents of four children, viz.: Addie Z., Gustavia, Nellie S. and William S. Mrs. White is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the Doctor is a member of the Southern Lodge I. O. O. F., of Jonesboro, also of the Knights of Pythias. Not only has he proved of great benefit to this community in the alleviation of suffering, but he also worthily does his part in the advancement of local affairs, and is numbered among the substantial citizens, ever ready to aid in all good work and meritorious enterprises.
Extracted 08 May 2002 by Rick Girtman from 1893 Biographical Review of Johnson, Massac, Pope, and Hardin Counties, Illinois, pages 349-350.
