My Genealogy Hound

SILAS WHITE, son of Isaac and Elizabeth White, was born April 27, 1823, on a farm then owned and cultivated by his father, in Montgomery township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. He attended schools in the vicinity until his fifteenth year. He then engaged with David Cleaver, a farmer of Montgomery township, a position in which he remained for the comparatively long period of fifteen years. In 1867 he became a farmer for William J. Linnard, of Gwynedd, remaining with him in that capacity for seven years. In 1874 he purchased from Mr. Linnard the farm buildings and twenty-three acres of land, which he occupied until 1883, when he accepted the position of farmer for Algernon S. Jenkins, in the same vicinity. He remained with Squire Jenkins until his death in 1890, when he returned to his own farm, thus remaining for three years, when in 1893 he took a position with Howard M. Jenkins, son of Algernon S. Jenkins, and editor of the Friends’ Intelligencer, Philadelphia. After remaining in that position for several years, Mr. White retired from active work and went to live with his sister, the widow of Samuel Myers, of Lower Gwynedd. After her death he continued to live at the same place with his nephew. In politics Mr. White is a Republican, and he has supported the candidates of that party since its formation in 1856. His father was a Whig, and prior to the organization of that party his ancestors were Federalists. In religious faith Mr. White inclines to the Society of Friends, although he is not a member of any denomination.

Isaac White (father ) was a native of Cheltenham township, and was a farmer, making that occupation the business of his life. After his marriage to Elizabeth White, he settled with his family at Springhouse, in Lower Gwynedd township, remaining there five years. He then bought a small property, and combined shoemaking with farming, His children: Ann, born in September, 1808, married William Jones; Hannah, born December 7, 1810, married Samuel Myers, a farmer of Montgomery township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania; Esther, married John Light and removed to the state of Iowa; John, born in July, 1815, married Catherine Scholl, of Montgomery township; Charles, born in 1818, died July 16, 1904, married Maria Matzinger, died November 1, 1902; Elizabeth, deceased, married Samuel Hendricks, of Montgomery township; Silas, subject of this sketch; Isaac, born May 14, 1825, married Hannah Whitcomb, deceased, of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and resided at Fort Washington.

Silas White never married. He has led a quiet, virtuous life, being one of the most useful men in his way in the community. Although owning his own homestead for many years, he appears to have preferred to live elsewhere, probably because he appreciates the comforts of a home and of society. He is widely known as an excellent farmer, who is now enjoying in his old age the rest and retirement which he has well earned. His family is of Welsh descent.