Peter White 1819-1905

WHITE, CONROY

Posted By: Joe Conroy (email)
Date: 11/5/2010 at 20:29:53

Williamsburg Journal-Tribune
Williamsburg, Iowa
2 Mar 1905

Called Home.

Peter White, Iowa County's Well Known Citizen, Dies at His Hilton Home on Tuesday Night.

Wednesday morning the sad intelligence was received here announcing the death of Mr. Peter White at his home in Hilton. The intelligence of Mr. White's death was received with feelings of profound sorrow. He was loved and respected by all, and on every hand is heard the expressions of sorrow for his death. He was in his 86th year and had scarcely ever been sick.

The funeral will be held tomorrow at St. Mary's Church at 11 a.m.

Obituary next week.

Williamsburg Journal-Tribune
Williamsburg, Iowa
9 Mar 1905
Page 1

Funeral of Mr. Peter White

Great Outpouring In Honor Of A Grand Character.

Sermon by Father White. Biography of Deceased.

On Friday all that was mortal of Mr. Peter White was laid away in St. Mary's cemetery. From near and far there came those who felt it a duty to pay their last respects to one, in death, who, in life, was honored and respected by all.

(photo of Peter White)

The business of town was suspended from 11 till 1 o'clock and when the procession reached the church the building was already filled. It was nearly 12 o'clock when the coffin was placed in front of the altar upon which Rev. J. C. White of Ottumwa began the high mass of requiem. Close by rested the floral tributes from the business men of Williamsburg and the occupants of the court house at Marengo. When the mass was finished and the office for the dead recited, Rev. Father White preached a sermon in which was recounted the sturdy honesty, the faith and loyalty of the deceased whom he characterized as one of his dearest and closest friends. Reference was made to the land of his birth and how, when a poor young man, he left his native home, turned his back to the land that held the remains of his parents, and came to a country at a time when but scant welcome was accorded to those from the land of Erin. But he never wavered or faltered in his faith, he was ever active in the upbuilding of the church. When a member of the Marengo parish he was foremost in the list of those who extended material aid; and when new lines placed him in the Williamsburg parish, he displayed a zeal and activity characteristic of his race. His life was a living example of honesty and integrity and against his long business career there was never pointed the finger of suspicion.

Following the sermon the body was taken to St. Mary's cemetery where it was consigned to its last resting place.

The pall bearers were G. H. Hughes, H. E. Hull, J. H. Hughes, J. P. Doherty, John O'Donnell and J. P. Gallagher.

Biographical

Peter White was born nearly 86 years ago in Galway county, Ireland. Here for generation after generation the White family had its home. In the year 1844 young Peter decided to seek his fortune in the western world. As a boy he mused often beside the river Shannon. In its lordly sweep to the sea it spoke to him of that freedom which he or his kindred never knew. Turning his face to the west, and his back to the land of his fathers, he was soon riding on the warped wave of the ocean away from the land he would never again see unless in the fond visions that often pass before the misty eyes of an Irish exile.

Arriving in the United States he went direct to Ottawa, Ills. and here he turned his honest hand to the first work offered. Ten years passed and on February 13th, 1854 he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Conroy, who mourns today at the severance of a tie that held faithfully, tenderly for more than half a century. The stream of time but furrowed deeper the affection and love plighted in that roseate morning when life's hopeful shadows sloped slantingly to the west.

Eight children blessed this marriage. One daughter died in infancy at Ottawa. The seven remaining are Mr. John White, of Chicago, Mr. James White, Clerk of the District Court of Iowa County, Attorneys Matthew White of Ida Grove and Peter White of Holstein, Misses Sarah and Nellie White of Chicago and Miss Mollie White of the home.

In the year 1859 he came to Iowa county and located on the farm upon which he resided until his death. Nearly forty years ago he began dealing in live stock, an occupation in which he continued through all his remaining years. For several years he shipped from South Amana and so widely was he known for his sterling honest that from the county for miles around he handled the entire output of stock.

When the C. M. & St. P. Ry. was built through Williamsburg he at once made this place his headquarters and in the advancement and upbuilding of the town he contributed perhaps more than any other individual. For many years his was the most familiar figure of the town. He was known and loved by all. He was especially fond of children and many a comment was passed on this trait when, in the park, he would hold a reception at which all the guests were the boys of the town. He enjoyed their company and knew all of them by name.

The soul of honor had an abiding home in the breast of Peter White. His word was as good as his bond and he'd willingly suffer financial loss rather than impeach his honesty. At all times and in all places he was a pure-minded, clean-tongued, and God-fearing man. He was charitable, his hand was as open as the day, and when he died, and went to meet his God, that same hand was richly filled with the things he gave away. His was a great character, a character we all loved. As a husband and father, he was the type of the best. As a Christian, he proved it by his daily life. He was simple in his tastes; he sought no honors; he cared nothing for applause; he was loyalty itself to what he believed was right. But all this is idle talk, idle as would be an attempt to gild refined gold. The deceased needs no eulogist to discover the virtues by which he was so well known. He wrote his own praise during the past half century, wrote it in the hearts and affections of a people who now with bowed heads and moistened eyes stand beside the grave where lies buried the noblest work of God -- An Honest Man.