by John D. Benedict

1922
The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago
P. 10

JOHN E. WHITE

One of the prominent merchants of Lenapah, Nowata County, is John E. White, whowas born at Boyds Creek, Tennessee, on the 21st of March, 1875. His paternalgreat-grandfather came to America from England and was a missionary to theIndians in North Carolina. His father, N.B. White, was a farmer and is nowdeceased. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Charlotte Huffaker, is stillliving and is residing on the home farm. John E. White was named for hismother's half-brother who died in the prison at Andersonville while serving inthe Civil war.

In the acquirement of an education John E. White attended the public schools ofTennessee and later enrolled in a prep school, after which he became a studentin the Carson & Newman College, from which institution he was graduated with theclass of 1898. In the latter part of that same year he came to IndianTerritory and located at Lenapah, where for three years he was engaged inteaching school. He was instrumental in building the first schoolhouse hereand was for many years a member of the board of education. On the 23d ofJanuary, 1904, he was appointed postmaster of Lenapah, in which office he wasactive for nearly ten years. From 1914 to 1917 he worked in the post office atNowata and for a time in 1908 was active in railroad mail service but resignedafter a few trips. Subsequently he was offered a position in the post office atMuskogee but declined and returned to Lenapah, where he established a mercantilebusiness, in the conduct of which he has since been active. Mr. White has wonhimself a prominent place among the successful merchants of Nowata county andhas built up an extensive and ever increasing patronage. While acting aspostmaster here he applied himself as closely and intelligently to the duties ofthe position that the office became third class and his fellowmen find that heconducts his store on the same conscientious basis, thereby achieving more thansubstantial success.

Mr. White married Miss Sarah E. Ferguson, a native of Tennessee, they beingchildhood friends. To their union the following children were born: Gladys,who is the wife of Lee Oendy; John Allen, fifteen years of age and a senior inLenapah high school; and Leilla, Helen, Mary and Clarence, all students in thegrade schools.

Mr. White is a progressive and public-spirited citizen and may always be countedupon to give aid in the furtherance of any movement for the development andimprovement of the general welfare. 

© 2019 OKGenWeb

Nowata County OKGenWeb