David B. White. For sixty-three years one of the fine farms of Homer Township, Champaign County, has stood in the name of White, which is an old and respected name in this section, where it has always meant good citizenship, sterling integrity and those personal qualities which engender friendly feeling in a neighborhood. The present owners of the old White homestead are heirs of Henry Clay White by his first and second marriages. David B. White was born here November 19, 1871. His parents were Henry Clay and Elizabeth (Stayton) (Sweringen) White.
Henry Clay White was born in Ohio. He was reared on a farm and was accustomed early to the handling of cattle and he often in later years told of a journey he made in early manhood to New York City in company with others, when they drove a bunch of beef cattle to the metropolis. He never complained of the hardships of the trip although he traveled on foot the whole distance there and back. Such an enterprising young man was just such a pioneer as was needed in Illinois and when he came from Ohio he brought his household possessions with him with a team of oxen. They proved very useful in breaking up the tough prairie sod when he settled on his tract of 160 acres on section 20, Homer Township, in Champaign County. He was a man of great enterprise and gave encouragement to many of the early business ventures in’ this section, especially the building of mills. Later in life he lent his influence to progressive movements in township and county and was a friend of the County Fair Association. Being better educated than many of the early settlers, his advice was frequently sought, and for sixteen years he served as township commissioner. His death occurred April 16, 1913.
Henry Clay White was thrice married. His first wife was Emily Laborn, and they had four children, namely: Abraham L., who lives in the city of Indianapolis; Charles F., who lives at Danville, Illinois; and two daughters who died in infancy, the death of the mother following. Mr. White’s second marriage was to Mrs. Elizabeth (Stayton) Sweringen, a widow whose husband had been killed in the Civil War. She had one son, Henry Sweringen, who is now deceased. She was born in Illinois and died in this state. There were children born to the second marriage as follows: John C., who lives at Homer, Illinois; David B.; Sadie E., who is the wife of Marley Davidson, of Defiance, Ohio; Frank B., who lives at Danville, Illinois; James S., who is deceased; and Elizabeth E., who is also deceased. To the third marriage of Henry Clay White, with Caroline Upp, no children were born.
David B. White had educational advantages in the public schools. He has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits and has been farming for himself since 1893. He entertains modern ideas concerning his business and believes in ‘the keeping of good stock and caring for them as valuable property, and the use of first class farm machinery. His is one of the best improved farms in the township.
Mr. White was married on March 21, 1895, to Miss Minnie Clutter, who was born in Vermilion County, and is a daughter of Abraham and Matilda (Carrol) Clutter, both of whom were born in Pennsylvania and both died in Vermilion County, Illinois. Mrs. White was the youngest born in their family of five children, the others being: Samuel, who is a resident of Homer; John, who makes his home in Pennsylvania; William, who lives in Vermilion County; and Alice, who is the wife of Wayne Smith, of Danville, Illinois.
Mr. and Mrs. White have two sons: Glenn C., who was born May 6, 1898; and D. Gordon, who was born June 8, 1908. Mr. White and family belong to the Presbyterian Church. In politics he is a Republican and for twenty years has served as a school director, and it may not be out of place to mention that Homer Township is proud of its reputation for its excellent schools. Mr. White is a Mason and also an Odd Fellow.