White - Michael Daugherty
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal
Tuesday 6 Feb 1917
This morning at
10:10 o'clock at his home, 408 W. Pike Street, Michael Daugherty White
answered the summons of death. The passage of his spirit marked the
termination of one of the two most notable careers Montgomery County has
known. Past 89 years of age, Mr. White had retained the vigor and
vitality of young manhood until a few weeks ago when he was stricken
critically ill. Montgomery County showed its love and respect for the
grand old man during these past few weeks in the manner in which its
citizens have watched the progress of Mr. White's illness, expressing
joy when the word would come form his home that he seemed slightly
improved and displaying genuine sorrow when unfavorable reports would
come from the bedside. Today when the word was spread around the city
that Mr. White had died, deepest regret and sadness were in evidence on
all sides. The community did not view the death as the passing of a man
who had lived his allotted time and should be called to his reward.
Everyone watned Mr. White to live, to recover from his illness and to go
on with his quiet kindly deeds that have chracterized not only his
closing years but his entire life. Mr. White was born on a farm in Clark
County, Ohio Sept 8, 1827, a son of Lanson and Mary Daughterty White.
His grandfather Nathaniel White, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War,
who emigrated first to Ohio and then to Tippecanoe County, Indiana With
him came Lansom White and his family when Michael was an infant of two
years old. The families located on a farm in Tippecanoe COunty and it
was there that Mr. White grew to young manhood receiving his education
in the common schools that the community afforded at that time. Mr.
White's father died in 1844 and his mother in 1892. In 1848, Michael D.
White removed to Crawfordsville and attended what was known as the old
county seminary. Later he was a student in Wabash College for a period
of four years. Then on account of his health he went to Darlington where
he clerked in a store for a year. Deciding upon a law career as his
life's work, Mr. White returned to Crawfordsville in 1853 and read law
with the late General Lew Wallace for a year after which he was offered a
full partnership with General Wallace, which he glady accepted. In his
legal studies, Mr. White made rapid progress and in 1854 he was
admitted to the Montgomery County bar. In the fall of that year he was
elected prosecuting attorney of the joint courts of Montgomery &
Boone Counties, serving in this position for two years and refusing to
accept a second term which was urged upon him. Mr. White continued to
practice law as a partner of General Wallace and when the latter was
elected state Senator in 1856, Mr. White conducted the affairs of the
office. This partnership lasted until 1859 when General Wallace joined
with Col. Sam C. Wilson the old office of Wallace & White being
retained by Mr. White. In 1860, Mr. White was elected state Senator
from Montgomery County having the distinction of being the first
Republican ever elected senator from this county. He served with
distinction for four years, giving his constituents entire satisfaction.
He refused a second nomination. His service in the legislature was
during the civil War period and Mr. White was largely engaged as a
Senator in raising soldiers for service in the Union Army. After his
term of office expired, Mr. White resumed the practice of law and in
1876, having continued to take an active part in public affairs, he was
elected to Congress, serving in this reponsible position for two years.
He was defeated for a second nomination although it was widely declared
at the time that he was people's choice. He resumed the practice of law
and remained an active member of the bar here until 1911, when he
retired. Mr. White remained actively interested in politics and he
continued a staunch Republican rejoicing in the victories of the party
and soothing the spirits of the younger men when defeat would come.
Whenever there was a Republican meeting, Mr. White's presence could be
counted on and even during the campaign of last fall, after he had
observed his 89th birthday, Mr. White was a prominent factor in the
campaign in this county. During this period he made speeches, filled
with all the vigor of a young man and he watched the issues closely. At
the meetings held in this city, Mr. White had a position on the stage,
seated at the side of the various speakers who were brought here. At no
time did the speaker of the evening receive more applause than was given
by the audience when Mr. White walked quietly onto the stage. A rare
wit was one of Mr. White's attributes that was recognized by all who
knew him. Often he was chosen for the closing address at a banquet or
meeting because he was able to send the crowd away in smiles by his
bright sallies and because he possessed the power to revive faltering
hopes in the hearts of those who heard him. It was on April 29, 1858,
that Mr. White was married, his bride being Miss Laura E. McMechan of
Crawfordsville, daughter of Dr. James G. and Eliza McMehan, pioneer
residents of the city. Mrs. White who is now nearly 80, survives her
husband. No closer affection between two persons has ever existed than
that of Mr. and Mrs. White during the period of nearly 3 score years
that they had spent together. 10 children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
White, 5 are living: Mrs. Wallace Stilwell of Los Angeles, Cal; John L.
White of Portland, ore; Mrs. Earl C. Finaly of Spokane, Wash; Mrs.
Howard I. Shaw of Dayton Oh; and George Raymond White of this city. Mr.
White had long been a member of the Christian Church and he was
faithful in his adherence to his religion, being an active worker in the
church for years. He was a member of the Masonic order of long
standing. Funeral services will be held from the 1st Christian Church on
Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock, with Rev. RE Moss pastor of the
church. Burial in Masonic Cemetery. - transcribed by kbz