Earle O

AMERICA THE GREAT MELTING POT

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Earle O. White

see FAMILY TREE

Born: 15 June 1877 Ridge Farm, Edgar Co., IL

Married: 18 Oct 1899 Quaker, Vermillion Co., IN

Died: 05 Aug 1959 Dana, Vermillion Co., IN

Buried: Helt's Prairie Cemetery, Vermillion Co., IN

FATHER

Samuel Ryerson White

MOTHER

Rozilla (Rose) Gilmore

Earle White 1897

WIFE

Grace Shepard

CHILDREN

1. Warren Shepard White
b. 06 Oct 1901
d. 01 May 1903

2. Joe White
b. 19 Dec 1902

3. Mary Elizabeth White
b. 08 Jan 1905

4. Max Shepard White
b. 13 Nov 1906

5. Martha Frances White
b. 28 Sep 1909

6. James White
b. 19 Jan 1911
d. 19 Jan 1911

Earle O White
by Susan Brooke
Jan 2023

Earle O White was born 15 Jun 1877 in Ridge Farm, Quaker, IL. (1) He was the 2nd of three sons growing up and working his father's farm. (2) He was a smart young man and skipped several grades in school, going to DePauw University when he was 15 years old. The story goes that he was undecided about continuing there or transferring to Purdue. When his father took him to the train station to leave again for college, his father told him that trains went both directions, and he should choose which school to attend. Earle obviously chose Purdue, graduating in 1897 with a degree in electrical engineering at age 20. (3)
One day after Earle had come back home from Purdue, Grace's father, Dr. Lewis Shepard, met up with Earle's father, Sam White, on the road common to their houses. Lewis asked if Earle was home from Purdue and then mentioned they were having a party at their house that weekend. The fathers decided it would be nice for Earle and Grace to get better acquainted and Sam offered that "Earle will be at the party." Earle and Grace were married two years later at the home of Grace Shepard. (4)
The young couple lived in Dana where Earle was half owner of the State Bank of Dana. Their first son, Warren, became very ill when he was about one year old. Grace was very sick too, and expecting their second child, Joe. Apparently no one thought the baby Joe would survive his birth, but he did. However, Warren died five months after the birth of Joe. Grace recovered and there are some photos of them camping, etc. at this time. Earle was a very caring father. (5)
About 1908 they then moved to Arcadia, IN for two years to settle the business affairs of his brother, Cliff. They built the "Brick House" and "Round Barn" about 1910, and moved back to Quaker. 6) During WWII the land where the brick house stood was given back to the state of Indiana as it was near a where they were testing for chemical warfare. The family then moved back to the same house in Dana, IN where their first three children had been born.
The children married and Earle and Grace ended up with 9 grandchildren. He was a devoted grandfather. (7) He died 5 Aug 1959 in Dana at the age of 82. (8)

Sources

(1) Birth Record from White Family bible

(2) Working on the farm

The photo above is of Earle White, Sam White, Cliff White, Milo White taken July 4, 1898

Earle breaking his horse, Biddy, July 4, 1898 photo courtesy of Christy Morgan at [email protected];

(3) Debris 1897 (Purdue University)

(4) Wedding Announcement from The Hoosier State Wednesday, October 25, 1899 front page

White-Shepard Wedding "On last Wednesday evening, Oct 18th, at the residence of the bride's father, near Quaker, Indiana, was the occasion of the wedding of Mr. Earl Overton White and Miss Grace Shepard, daughter, and only child of Dr. Lewis Shepard. Promptly at 8 o'clock, the designated time for the ceremony, Mendelsohn's wedding march was commenced by Professor Blue of Montezuma, which continued through the entire ceremony. At 8:10 the Rev. Edwin G. Hunter, clergyman of the Episcopal church of Louisville, KY., came into the parlor dressed in the prescribed apparel of his office - black gown, covered with white, and wearing the surplice. He took his position in the rear of two handsome pillows lying on the floor; while behind him the corner of the room was beautifully decorated with large green foliage plants, giving to that portion of the room a most tropical appearance. In a few moments the groom, and his groomsman, Mr. Gilbert Jump of Muncie, Ind., made their appearance, and took position at the left of the clergyman. They were followed by the Maid of Honor, Miss Augusta Hunter of Louisville, KY and the bridesmaid, Miss Lena Nixon of Newport who placed themselves at the right of the clergyman. Then came the bride leaning on the arm of her father and took their position in from of the clergyman and pillows. The ceremony performed was the beautiful ring ceremony of the Episcopal church. The father giving away the bride and the bride and groom kneeling upon the pillows when receiving the clergyman's final blessing. It was a most solemn and impressive ceremony. The groom and groomsman were dressed in conventional black. The bride was very daintily attired in white silk mull, with trimmings of white satin and lace and carried a large bouquet of white roses. Miss Augusta Hunter maid of honor was dressed in white Paris muslin, and carried a bunch of cream roses. Immediately after the ceremony the bride and groom lead the way to the dining room, where refreshments were served, consisting of ice cream, cake and chocolate.

The entire house was artistically decorated with branches of oak leaves in the Autumn tints, and flowers which gave a beautiful effect. The bride received many handsome and useful presents. There were present some 40 guests who enjoyed themselves until a late hour."