From A
Biographical History of Central Kansas, Vol. II, p. 944
published by The Lewis Publishing Co, Chicago & New York, 1902
W. R. White
W. R. White, the efficient postmaster of the thriving city of Geneseo, and one of its leading and representative citizens, was born in Park county, Indiana, on the 17th of March, 1866. His father, John Neal White, was born in North Carolina, February 11, 1834, and was a son of Thomas White, who was born November 3, 1796. His father, Joseph White, was born May 15, 1766, and died in 1825. Thomas White, the grandfather of our subject, wedded Elizabeth Boyd, who was born December 29, 1808, and they had eleven children: Montroville, Mary Ann, Lewis C, Alice Susan, John Neal, Joshua E, Rachel E, Daniel W, William Thomas C., Benjamin F and Flortilla M. John Neal White, the father of our subject, married Martha Ellen Smith, a native of Virginia, and a daughter of Thomas Smith. This union was blessed with six children: Ava F, of Ridgedale, Tennessee; W. R., our subject, Thomas E, an architect of Jacksonville, Florida; Willard S, of Tennessee, and an employee of the Southern Express Company; John L, who is connected with the same company; and May, who died at the age of twelve years. The father of this family was called to the home beyond on the 25th of December, 1897.
W. R. White, the immediate subject of this review, was brought by his father to Kansas during his infancy, a location being made at Baldwin City. Our subject afterward spent three years in Olivet, Osage county, Kansas, and later was a resident of Osage City, this state, for eleven years. He received a good education, and for two years was a student at the Urbana, Ohio, University. Subsequently he followed the teacher’s profession in Ellsworth county, Kansas, for three years. He proved a capable instructor, being able to impart clearly and concisely to others the knowledge he had acquired. He also filled the important office of principal of the schools of Geneseo. After abandoning the teacher’s profession Mr. White entered the journalistic field, as editor and proprietor of the Geneseo Herald, a clean, newsy sheet and a strong advocate of Republican principles. In July, 1897, under President McKinley, he was appointed to the responsible position of postmaster of Geneseo, and is now the incumbent in the office. Mr. White was the choice of the people for city clerk, in which he served for three years and has many times been a delegate to county and congressional conventions. He has ever been an active and loyal worker in the ranks of his party, believing firmly in the principles set forth by its platform, and doing everything in his power for it upbuilding and advancement.
In 1892 at Little River, Kansas, Mr. White was united in wedlock to Eliza W Finnemore, a woman of intelligence and culture. She was born in London, England, and is a daughter of William Finnemore, who spent his entire life in London. He was born there in 1819, and was there called to his final rest. He was the father of ten children, and his son, Charles W Finnemore, was for several years a resident of Rice County, Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. White are the parents of three children, - Gilbert G, Ava F, and Willard L. In his social relations he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is a member of the Swedenborgian church, and his wife holds membership in the Episcopal church. His life has been characterized by energy, perseverance and hard work, and to these principles his success is due. His high honors have come to him solely because of his ability, and as a citizen he commands the respect of all who know him.