James A. White 1859-1932

WHITE, TIEDBOHL

Posted By: Joe Conroy (email)
Date: 11/13/2010 at 20:18:13

Williamsburg Journal-Tribune
Williamsburg, Iowa
14 Apr 1932
Page 1

Ex Senator White Called Saturday

Widely Known Resident of Hilton Dies Suddenly From Attack of Heart Failure

Son Of Hilton Pioneers

Born in Illinois; Honored in Life By Fellow Citizens and Mourned in Death.

Ex-Senator James A. White of Hilton died suddenly Saturday evening from an attack of heart failure, an ailment that followed an attack of pneumonia a few years ago.

Saturday afternoon Mr. White accompanied the farm help and some of the neighbors to South Amana with a shipment of cattle from the White farm. He was feeling unusually well, sat by while the cattle were being loaded and while returning to the farm riding with his men and neighbors, he was stricken with a sinking spell, passing away without regaining consciousness.

The news of his sudden passing soon spread throughout Iowa and Johnson Counties, and general regret was expressed at its telling. Throngs of friends and neighbors visited the stricken home on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.

The funeral services were held at St. Mary's church, Williamsburg, at 9:30 Tuesday morning. The High Mass of Requiem was celebrated by Father O'Dowd, St. Mary's choir singing the responses.

The sermon was preached by Father O'Dowd was a most excellent discourse, while the eulogy it carried for the life and outstanding character of the deceased was an inspiring word picture of a life and character we all admired, respected, and loved.

The funeral assemblage filled the spacious church. All the relatives from a distance were present, the bench and bar of Iowa County were represented by Judge Popham and Judge Evans, and the entire membership of the bar, together with a number of members from Iowa City. All the neighboring towns and communities were well represented, while the old home neighborhood of Hilton may be said to have been present in a body.

Immediate relatives present from a distance were: Atty. and Mrs. M. M. White and daughters Marie, Ida Grove; Raymond, Earl, and Miss Belle White, and Mrs. Edward R. Tiedbohl, all of Chicago.

The Interment was in St. Mary's cemetery beside the bodies of the parents who passed away several years ago.

The pallbearers were: Walter Harris, John Heitshusen, J. A. Rouse, John V. Driscoll, Thomas Hannon, and H. O. Helgeson.

James A. White was born in Ottawa, Ill., on September 5, 1859, and when but a child the parents and an older brother came to Hilton Township and located on the farm that has been the home of the White family ever since.

The subject of this sketch attended the old rural school, assisted with the work on the large farm and later attended school at Notre Dame, Ind.

He was for several years associated with his father in the buying and shipping of livestock, and in this calling he acquired a wide acquaintance throughout the county.

For several years he was active in politics and stood high in the councils of Iowa Democracy. For two terms he was clerk of the court for Iowa County. He was state senator from the Iowa-Johnson district for eight years, serving with credit and distinction in the 33rd, 34th, 35th, and 36th assemblies.

J. A. White never forsook the old home farm, and from the time of his maturity until the failure of his health a few years ago he was the outstanding type of the prime citizen; his activities were never marked with the taint of selfishness, his generous spirit always including his neighbor. His character was always admirable, his sense of honor was of the keenest type, and his charity was quick to respond to every call.

Reared in the bosom of the Catholic faith he never forgot the obligations it carried and throughout his years he was never other than the thoughtful, courteous, and kindly disposed Christian gentleman.

He will be sadly missed in Hilton where his going forth will leave a lonesome place against the sky.

He never married, and is survived by two brothers, Atty. M. M. White of Ida Grove, Atty. P. P. White of Williamsburg, and the three sisters, Mary, Sarah, and Nellie of the home, besides many near relatives and innumerable friends.

Peace to his ashes and to his soul rest; and to those who mourn, the strength and fortitude that will enable them to bear their burden of sorrow.