My Genealogy Hound

DR. R. L. C. WHITE, editor and proprietor of the Lebanon Herald , was born June 11, 1844, in Wilson County, Tenn., and is the only living child of Capt. John W. and Sally C. (Cannon) White, who were of English descent, born in North Carolina and Tennessee in 1804 and 1807, respectively. The father died in 1871. He was a merchant in early life, but later became engaged also in manufacturing interests. He came to Tennessee in 1821, and in 1831 became a resident of Lebanon, and was always an active worker for the old Whig party. He was clerk of the circuit court a number of years, and was married in 1841. The mother resides with our subject, who was educated in the Cumberland University, of Lebanon. In 1862 he enlisted in Company K, Fourth Tennessee Cavalry, and participated in the battles of Perryville, Chickamauga, Murfreesboro, Atlanta, and numerous minor engagements. He remained in the field until the surrender of Johnston’s army, when he returned home and entered upon the study of medicine in the Nashville Medical College, remaining one year. In 1867 he attended the Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia, and graduated in 1868. In 1869 he purchased a one-half interest in the Lebanon Herald, and since 1871 has been sole proprietor and editor. Previous to 1872 the Doctor practiced his profession, but since that time has given his time and attention to his paper, which is very newsy and instructive, and is quoted throughout the State as one of the leading journals. The Doctor is a member of the Masonic fraternity (Lebanon Lodge. No. 98, F. & A. M.), of Baldwin Commandery, No. 7. Knights Templar; Magnolia Lodge, No. 30, I. O. O. F.; Lotus Lodge, No. 20, K. of P.; Lee Lodge, No. 22, K. of H. In 1878 he was elected Grand Chancellor of the State of Tennessee of K. of P., and held the position nearly two years. In 1883 he was elected Grand Keeper of Records and Seal of the State of Tennessee of the same order, and now holds the position. Since 1880 he has been one of the two Supreme Representatives of Tennessee of the Supreme Lodge of the World, K. of P. He has also been Grand Treasurer of K. of H. of Tennessee since 1880. Until 1882 the Doctor was a Democrat, but at that time, owing to a controversy on the State debt, the party was split, the Dr. taking sides with that faction which favored the payment of the debt. He was secretary of the State Executive Committee of the State credit wing of the Democratic party during that canvass. His faction was disastrously defeated, and since that time he has affilliated with no party. Since 1882 he has been magistrate, and has held the position of notary public, and is one of the directors of the Bank of Lebanon. May 23, 1869, Dr. White married Ella M. Wade, daughter of M. B. and Elizabeth Wade, of Rutherford County. She was born in 1851, and is the mother of five children: Ethel, Opal, Coral, Mabel and Kenneth.