Source: Unknown - Date Unknown

White, William

The memory of his honorable and upright life is the proud inheritance of his children. After fighting as a valiant soldier the battle of life; after gaining worldly success as the reward of his unwearied efforts, he rest from his labors in the peaceful sleep than knows no wakening on earth. In his declining years he enjoyed the comforts which his unaided efforts secured, and surrounded by a loving family, passed from earth Jun 24, 1891. Our British-American citizens almost invariably reflect credit upon the place of their nativity as well as their adopted home. Mr White was an Englishman, born in Kent County, England, Sep 7, 1822. His father, James White, was a farmer in that county, where he resided until 1832. At that time many people were emigrating to America, attracted hither by the prospects of gaining homes and fortune, and Mr White, Accompanied by his family, crossed the broad Atlantic in the above mentioned year, and settled in New York. His wife bore the maiden name of Harriet Hitchcock and was born Apr 20, 1800, in Kent County, England. Five daughters and two sons were granted to this worthy couple. In 1836, Mr White, accompanied by his wife and children, started for Michigan by way of Buffalo, but beginning their journey too late in the season they were detained in that city all winter on account of the lakes being blocked by ice. However, they reached Detroit in 1837 and settled in what was then a thriving village. The father died there about 1850 and his widow still makes it her home. Our subject accompanied his parents in their various removals, and in different localities pursued his trade of a bricklayer, stonemason and plasterer. He is proud to tell that he laid the first brick in the first railway depot that was erected in Detroit. After a residence of twenty years in that city he came in 1857 to Royal Oak Township, this county, and settled on a farm of one hundred acres on section 5. This estate is still home of his family. The marriage of William White with Mary D. Chapman, took place Sep 7, 1846. This lady was born in Geneva, N. Y., was a carpenter in New England in his early days. His wife, Mary Furgerson, was born in Dutchess county, N. Y. Her father, Jacob Furgerson, was a native of Pennsylvania, and his wife, Emily Emery, was born in New York of English ancestry. Our subject and his intelligent and lovely wife became the parents of eight children, namely; William J., Emma C., Nettie, John, Edith, Ida M., Arthur and Harvey E. On March 24, 1886, Harvey E. White was joined in marriage with Agnes Groves, who was born Nov 8, 1867, in County Down, Oreland and came with her parents to America in 1869. She is the daughter of Robert and Agnes (Martin) Groves, who were the parent of eleven children. This son and his young wife are the parents of three children, namely: Ida May, Harvey E. and Winnie G.