My Genealogy Hound

Dr. Luther C. White (deceased), of Van Buren, was born in Woolrich, Me., February 16, 1810, and was of Scotch descent. He lived upon a farm until nearly grown, and then clerked in a drug store in New York City for a short time. He then began the study of medicine, and graduated from the Bellevue College, after which he went to Wilkesbarre, Penn., and commenced to practice. About 1851 he removed to Stephenson County, Ill., and about 1857 became a citizen of Van Buren, where he died April 5, 1888. He was three times married. His first wife, Harriet Dyer, was born in Maine, and died July 4, 1844. In 1848 he married Miss Aseneth C. Dodson, daughter of Joel Dodson, of Wilkesbarre, Penn. This lady was born November 11, 1819, in Luzerne County, Penn., and died August 31, 1872, in Stephenson County, Ill., while on a visit. February 9, 1874, Dr. White wedded Emily H. Moore, nee Williams, who died in September of the same year. Dr. White had four children by his second wife: Annie Caroline (born in Columbus, Luzerne Co., Penn., September 23, 1849, died in Chicago, June 19, 1865), Henry Kirk (born at Hazelwood, Stephenson Co., Ill., September 29, 1853, and died at Savannah, Ill., August 12, 1857), George Melvin (born at Van Buren April 8, 1858, died at Polo, Ill., September 30, 1859) and John D. (born at Van Buren February 18, 1861, and educated at the State University of Arkansas). Dr. White was a strong Union man during the war, and served as United States Marshal of the Western District of Arkansas four years, being appointed by President Lincoln. He was a stanch Republican, and in 1872 represented the Eighth District in the State Legislature. Dr. White was a skilled physician, and a man held in universal esteem. He was a member of the State Medical Society, a charter member, director and stockholder in the Citizen’s Bank of Van Buren, and a stockholder in the Van Buren Canning Factory. His son, John D., is one of the enterprising citizens of the town. Dr. White was liberal in his religious views.