Lawyers and Lawmakers of Kentucky, by H. Levin, editor, 1897. Published
by Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago.  Reprinted by Southern Historical
Press.  p. 60.  Ballard County.

JAMES DEMPSEY WHITE, associate judge of the court of appeals, was born in
Hickman county, Kentucky, about 1833.  His father, Rev. Willis White, was
a native of Halifax county, North Carolina, and with his parents removed
to this state about 1810.  His life was devoted to the work of the ministry
and he was identified with the Baptist denomination.  His wife, Mrs. Mary
White, was a daughter of Colonel Enoch Wright, of east Tennessee.
     Judge White obtained his elementary education in Ballard county and
further pursued his studies in Clinton Seminary, of Hickman County.  He
studied law under the direction of J. M. Bigger, of Blandville, Ballard
county, was admitted to the bar at that place in 1853, and at once began
practice.  His success came soon, because his equipment was good, he
having been a close and earnest student of the fundamental principles of
the science of jurisprudence.  Along with those qualities indispensable
to the lawyer--a keen, rapid, logical mind, plus the business sense, and
a ready capacity for earnest labor--he brought to the starting point of
his legal career certain rare gifts,--eloquence of language and a strong
personality.
     In 1858 he was elected county attorney of Ballard county, serving
two years.  in 1870 he was elevated to the bench of the common-pleas
division of the first judicial district and filled that office for nine
consecutive years, rendering decisions that won the admiration of the bar
on account of their clearness and correct application and the approval of
the public by reason of their strict justice.  Few men have shown less
bias on the bench, and he left the office as he had entered it with the
good will and confidence of the public and the profession.  In 1880 he was
the Democratic nominee for elector on the Hancock ticket and in the
electoral college cast his ballot for the chosen standard-bearer of the
Democracy.  In November, 1896, he was the nominee of his party for judge
of the court of appeals for the first appellate district.  His opponent
was Judge Joseph I. Landes, of Hopkinsville, who was appointed to fill
the vacancy caused by the death of Judge John R. Grace.  The elections
showed that he was the choice of the people for the office, and on the
1st of December he took his seat upon the bench.  An excellent presence,
an earnest manner, marked strength of character, a thorough grasp of the
law, and the ability to accurately supply principles, made him an
effective and successful advocate and will insure him equal rank with
the other distinguished members of the court of appeals.
     The Judge has been twice married.  In 1860 he wedded Miss Mary E.
Coil, daughter of Adam Coil, of Ballard county.  She died in 1875 and
the Judge afterward married Mrs. Mary A. Utterback, daughter of Thomas
J. Jewett, of Carlisle county.  She is a member of the Baptist church,
and the Judge also is a firm believer in its doctrines.  The family
includes W. T. and W. J. White, the former a lawyer of Wickliffe, and
the other of Bardwell, Kentucky; a married daughter; and a son who has
not yet attained his majority.  Mr. White is a Mason of the Knight
Templar degree, holding membership in Paducah Commandery.  He also
belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights and Ladies
of Honor, and is a member of the Order of United Workmen.  His nature is
kindly, his temperament jovial and genial, and his manner courteous.  He
is a most companionable gentleman; but when on the bench his attitude at
once indicates the studious, earnest and scholarly judge, whose course
fully upholds the majesty of the law.

White Wright Bigger Landes Grace Coil Utterback Jewett
=
Christian-KY Carlisle-KY Hickman-KY Halifax-NC TN

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/ballard/white.jd.txt