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Oceana County, with a population at the last census of 11,699, has one representative in the State Legislature, James E. White, who was born April 8, 1839 in Kalamazoo, attended Albion College in 1857 and 1858; went to California in the Spring of 1860, and while there cast his first vote, which was for Lincoln for President. Seeing that the Southerners were resolved upon secession and war, he returned in 1861 and enlisted in the Thirteenth Michigan Volunteer Infantry, which rendezvoused at Kalamazoo. Mr. White helped recruit a company, and at the mustering of the regiment, October 3, 1861, was commissioned a first lieutenant. When Gen. Buel abandoned Alabama, in 1862, the Thirteenth was left to engage the enemy and hold, as long as possible, Fort Harker, which had been built by the regiment. Lieutenants White and Case were ordered by the colonel to remain at the fort and destroy everything. They remained until the enenmy had taken possession of the town, and then in being in great danger of capture, they left and soon overtook the regiment. Lieutenant White was commissioned adjutant December 24, 1862, and detailed on Gen, Harker's staff at the battle of Stone River, being placed in command of the brigade line of skirmishers. He was promoted to captainey on the same battle-field, January 20, 1863. He resigned his commission as captain September 3, 1863, at Chattanooga, having from exposure contracted the asthma, from which he as ever since been a sufferer. After leaving the army he settled in Allegan County, where he lived until 1875, engaged in the mercantile business. He removed to Pentwater in March, 1875, where he has since been engaged in the hardware trade and the manufacture of shingles. He has served four years as trustee of the village. Mr. White is a Republican, and as such was elected over Amos Lewis, "Fusionist," a member of the Legislature , receiving 1,307 votes to Lewis's 1,132. Mr. White married, February 8, 1862, Nellie J. Carr, of Kalamazoo, and in four days after his marriage went off with his regiment to the war. His eldest child, Lizzie, died in 1867, and their only remaining child is Belle, born 1871. |