Thomas Eli White, 1858-1924

WHITE, FRAZIER, DILLAVOU, SPRAY, MILLS, KING, RATLIFF, COCHRAN, MORRIS

Posted By: Pat Ryan White (email)
Date: 4/28/2004 at 19:21:20

Obituary, "Salem News", January 24, 1924:

THOMAS ELI WHITE
Thomas Eli White was born Oct. 10, 1858 at Lynnville, Jasper county, Iowa; departed this life Jan. 19, 1924 at Salem, Iowa aged 65 years, 3 mon. 9 days.

At the age of five years he came with his parents to Henry county and from that time has made this county his home.

He was united in marriage to Rebecca Frazier Oct. 30, 1881, and to this union were born the following children: Mrs. Earl Dillavou, Mrs. S. D. Garretson, Fred White of Salem; Mrs. Max Spray of Hillsboro, Mrs. J. A. Mills of Winnebago City, Minn; Roy White of Salem, Dr. Geo. White of Riverside, Ralph White and Mrs. Marion King of Salem; Leota, Vera and Darrel at home.

Mr. White also leaves one brother George of Richland, Oregon; two sisters Mrs. E. H. Ratliff of Nezperce, Idaho; one half-brother Ray of Knoxville, Ia; two half-sisters Mrs. Rev. C. W. Cochran of Muscatine, Ia and Mrs. Steve Morris of Mt. Sterling, Ia.; and thirty-six grandchildren.

He is the first to break the family circle and the remaining ones have the sympathy of a host of friends and loved ones in their hour of sorrow.

About twenty-seven years ago during a revival conducted by Rev. Mrs. Sutliff at the Maple Grove schoolhouse, he received Christ as his personal Savior. He was a birthright Friend, but at the time of his conversion by his request was received into the active membership in the Cedar Friends church. Some years later he had his membership transferred to Salem meeting where he has loyally supported the work.

For a number of years he has been prominent in the affairs of the county having served as a member of the board of supervisors for six years, and at the time of his death was a member of the board of appraisers for inheritance tax; also a member of the board of education of Salem.

He was a friend to all and especially to those in need. A great lover of home and was never so happy as when his loved ones were all around him. The community has lost a friend, the children a kind and loving father, and the wife a devoted husband, and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Yet our loss is his gain, and surely the prayer expressed by his favorite hymn, "Pass Me Not, Oh Gentle Savior," will not be unheard by the one who doeth all things well.

The funeral services were held in the M.E. church which was filled to its utmost with friends and relatives, testifying to the high esteem in which he was held."