This gentleman bears the distinction of being one of the oldest natives of Elizabeth Township. He is in the prime of life, having been born Dec. 20, 1840 and has his present home on section 19, a good farm under thorough cultivation, with a substantiel set of frame buildings. He was trained by careful parents to habits of industry and frugality and bids fair to become, like his father, one of the land-marks of this part of the county.

The parents were Andrew and Matilda White, who wer natives of County Tyrone, Ireland, whence they emigrated to America after thei marriage about 1833. They landed in Philadelphia, where they sojourned five years, the father being employed in the dye works. In 1838 they set out for Northern IL and coming to this county, settled upon the land included in the present farm of our subject, being the land had come into the market. In 1847 the fahter secured it from the Government, paying $1.25 per acre, the purchase including a half-section.

At the time Andrew White settled in this county the land around him was in its primitive condition and over it Indians and wild animals roamed unrestrained. The hardy pioneer battled with the elements of the new soil, season after season, under many drawbacks and discouragements, including a distant market, to which he conveyed his products by the slow methods of horse or ox-team. There probably seldom occurred to him the thought of retracing his steps to a more congenial clime and he persevered until Providence began to smile upon his labors. There opened up slowly fromt he wilderness the fields o corn and grain and the other indications of civilization, while around him, here and there, gradually appeared the cabins of other settlers, encouraging him to prosecute his first purpose. He had the honor of being the first man to settle within the limits of Elizabeth Township. The father of our subject continued at the old homestead until his death, which occurred Sept. 13, 1863, when he was about 67 years of age. He had become widely and favorably known throughout the county, not only for his pioneer labors in connection with the cultivation of the soil, but for the strength of his character, which left its decided influence upon his community. The parental household included seven children, five of whom survive - William L. of Apple River Twp.; Samuel D, our subject; Martha, the wife of Jamees Sherard of Turner Co, Dakota; Matthew residing in Northern Wisconsin, and Ann E. in Elizabeth Twp. A great shadow fell upon the household with the death of the wife and mother which occurred Sept. 13, 1861.

Samuel D. White grew from a child to manhood at the old homestead, occupied in a manner similar to the sons of the early pioneer, gleaning a limited education under the imperfect school system of that time, his studies being mostly prosecuted in the winter season, while, during the time of sowing and reaping, his services were utilized about the homestead until the outbreak of the Civil War. Soon after the first call for troops he entred the ranks of the Union Army, becoming a member of Co D 45th IL Inf. which was assigned to the Dept. of TN. He participated in many of the important battles which followed thereafter - Ft. Donelson, Shiloh, the siege of Corinth, Port Gibson, Raymond, Champion Hills adn the siege of Vicksburg, at which latter place his regiment held the pot of honor, and its flag was the first which floated over the city after its surrender. He was also in other engagements and skirmished too numerous to mention until meeting the enemy in the siege of Atlanta. In the meantime he was twice wounded on the field of Shiloh in the head by minnie balls. These however, did not disable him so as to be unfit for duty. At the expiration of his term of enlistment he received his honorable discharge Nov. 20, 1864 at Nashville TN and soon afterward returned to his native county.

The year following his retirement from the army Mr. WHite was married Sept. 20, 1865 to Josephine Mougin, also a native of this county, born in Rice Twp. July 19, 1850. Mrs. White is the daughter of Augustus and Catherine (Gammon) Mougin, the former a native of France and the latter born in the State of Maine. They emigrated to what was then the Far West, settling in Rice Twp. about 1842. They are still living on the old homestead, which, by their united labors, they built up from a wild and uncultivated tract of land. Nothwithstanding they are quite well advanced in years, they are hale and hearty and int he enjoyment of good health, sitting under their own vine and fig tree, amid the comforts which they have so justly earned, and with the blessings of scores of friends.

Mr. and Mrs. White after their marriage located on the farm which they now occupy. In due time they gathered around their fireside children to the number of twelve - Emily is the wife of James Sanderson, of Rice Twp.; Ellsworth died when three months old; Kittie J. is the wife of Samuel Clark of Elizabeth Twp: Matilda, Nevada, Ida, Samuel D Jr., Josephine, Eliza, Belle, Cyrus and Hattie are at home with their parents The homestead includes 256 acres of land, which with its improvements, makes a valuable estate in the accumulation of which Mr. White has received the assistance of his industrious and worthy wife. They are both favorites in the social circle, and are often to be found foremost int he enterprises set on foot for the elevation of society and the general good of the community. Our subject votes the straight Republican ticket and has served as Assessor three years. He is public-spirited and liberal, prompt to meet his obligations and a man whose word is considered as good as his bond.

From Portraits and Biographical Pg 528