George White
One of the pioneers of the past generation and one of the men who played no small part in the history of Grant County, Indiana, is George White, now deceased, but for many years a powerful factor in the business life of Marion and of Grant County. He was one of the pioneers who not only had the courage and physical endurance to face life in the wilderness, but he was also of the type that could see into the future, and he realized the structure which was to be reared in that rich middle western section and helped to lay its firm foundation.
George White was a native of Ireland, having been born in County Donegal, in 1805. His parents emigrated to America a few years after his birth, but on the way they were captured by the British, and were detained at Halifax for two years, until the War of 1812, settled for all time the question of the freedom of the United States from the yoke of Great Britain. Upon reaching the United States the family made their way westward and settled at Cadiz, Ohio, where they lived for many years, with the exception of a break of three years when they resided at Warren, Ohio. It was in 1840 that they came to Grant County and located in Marion, and here George White was to spend the remainder of his life. He first engaged in the dry goods business and for many years was one of the most successful merchants in Marion. He built the Iroquois building, one of the leading buildings of the city, and conducted his store in this building for many years. He always had farming interests in Grant County and although he retired from the mercantile business many years before his death, he personally managed his farm up to the time of his death. At one time he was County Commissioner of Grant County, and he always took a keen interest in the public affairs of the county. In the religious world he was a member of the Methodist Church.
George White was united in marriage on March 16, 1829, at Cadiz, Ohio, to Miss Nancy M. Knox, who was an aunt of former Secretary of State, Philander C. Knox. Ten children were born to George and Nancy White and of these six grew to maturity. Sarah White Mather, of Marion, is now the only living child. Of the others, William White was the eldest and lived in Marion; Edgar and James also lived in Marion; Amanda was the wife of Thomas D. Thorp of Marion; and Helen married R. W. Bailey, of Marion. George White died in Marion in July, 1893, at the age of eighty-six.
Mrs. Sarah White Mather, the only living child, is one of the most popular women in Marion. She has been a resident of this city for many years and has been a leader in many ways. She was born in Cadiz, Ohio, July 26, 1836, and married Charles D. Mather. Her husband was born at Muncie, Indiana, February 24, 1833, but he came to Marion when he was a boy of nineteen and spent the remainder of his life here. He was first employed as a clerk in the store of his uncle, Aaron Swayzee, and after a number of years in which he gathered valuable experience he went to the store of Goldthwaite and Company, as a clerk. He became so valuable to his employers that he was rapidly promoted and after a time came to have an interest in the store. Later in life he engaged in the grain business and in the agricultural implement business, and he continued in this line until he was forced to retire from business on account of ill health. He died on the 16th of December, 1907. Mr. Mather enlisted in August, 1862, in the 12th Regiment Indiana Volunteers and was in service until October, 1864, when he was discharged. he became First Lieutenant in Company C and was later advanced to acting Captain. "Onward Christian Soldier" applies to soldiers of his class as he carried his religion with him in his defense of his country.
Mr. Mather was a member of the Methodist Church and was an active member of the church. He was united in matrimony to Miss Sarah White on the 20th of March, 1866, and one daughter, Helen Louise, was born of this union, also a little boy, who died at the age of six years. Mrs. Mather and her daughter reside in the home on Branson Street, and Miss Mather is unusually gifted along musical lines.
Source: Centennial History of Grant County Indiana 1812-1912. The Lewis Publishing Co., 1914, page 863-64.