IRA WHITE was born in Greene county, Ill., on the 24th of Feb., 1837. He was a son of Jesse and Tabitha (Carrico) White, his father a native of Madison county, Ill., and his mother of Kentucky. His parents came to Greene county at an early day, settling in what is now Kane township, near the west line, on the Macoupin creek. His father entered 160 acres of land, working for 50 cents a hundred making rails to get enough money to pay for entering it. He toiled hard, thus making a successful farmer, so that at the time of his death he owned considerable land. When he first came to Greene county, deer was more plenty than rabbits now are, and wild turkeys were seen by the hundreds. In those early days the people were compelled to kill such game for food. He was one of the oldest settlers in this township. Ira White, spent his youth with his parents on the farm, and when he became of age, in 1858, his father gave him 40 acres of land in Jersey county. He farmed that one year and then traded it to his brother, Louis, for the homestead of 85 acres, to which he moved and has since made his home. He now owns 140 acres of land on Sec. 36, T. 9, R. 12, and his residence, with all its surroundings show him to be a man of energy, intelligence and enterprise. He has been twice married, first, on the 4th of March, 1858, to Fannie close, daughter of William and Lucretia Close. To them were born two children, both of whom are dead. Mrs. White died in 1869, and in 1870 he was again married to Eliza Close, a sister of his first wife. He and his wife were both born on the farm he now owns. By this marriage there are two children - Thirza and Minnie. In the fall of 1883, he, with some others, took a trip to Black river, on a hunting expedition. They hired a steamer and went down the river and staid two weeks, during which time they killed eight deer, and a number of ducks, turkeys and squirrels. They returned home feeling refreshed, and with many pleasant recollections of the good time they had spent.