Thomas Dixon White was a son of Timothy D. and Abigail White, nee Dixon; the former a native of Columbia County, N.Y., was born Mar. 17, 1787, the latter of South Hero, Vt., born Jan. 23, 1797. The pedigree of the family can be traced back for many years, Mr. White being a descendant of the family of that name, who settled in America at an early day. His parents died in South Hero, Vt., at which place he was born on Aug. 3, 1826. His primary education was received there, and fiinished at the Lamoille County Institute, from which he graduated. He came to Iowa in 1853, reaching Clayton County Dec. 2 of that year. He at once purchased his present farm of 335 acres on section 23, this township, which he has under excellent improvement and thoroughly stocked. He owns some of the finest breeds of cattle and pigs in the county. His marriage occurred on Aug. 28, 1854, to Lura Celinda, daughter of J.P.L. and Abigail (Pettit) Clark, natives of the Green Mountain State. Her mother died Mar. 21, 1863. Eleven children have been born of this union, of whom Roland R., born June 20, 1856; Wendell E., June 24, 1860; Ida G., Apr. 20, 1862; Inis L., May 23, 1864; Glenn Granger, Apr. 10, 1866; Royce D., Nov. 4, 1872, and Harley G., Oct. 1, 1875 are living. The deceased are : Frank R., born May 25, 1858, died Jan. 20, 1872; Howard W., born May 18, 1868, died Dec. 31, 1871; Loyd S., born May 30, 1870, died Dec. 14, 1873, and Cressey, born Dec. 29, 1873, died Feb. 10, 1873. Mr. White is a member of the A.F. & A. M.
fraternity. He was one of the charter members of National
Lodge, No. 172, was the first W.M. and is the present
S.D. He has studied law to some extent and has been
called upon to put his knowledge to the test a number of
times. He has held nearly all of the township offices and
represented his district in the Legislature, in the
session of 1876. He affiliates with the Democratic party.
source: History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p.
784-785 |