From A Biographical History of Central Kansas, Vol. I, p. 85
published by The Lewis Publishing Co, Chicago & New York, 1902

C. C. WHITE

   C C White is one of the well known early settlers of Rice county who secured a homestead here in 1872 and has since been actively associated with the progress of this portion of the Sunflower state.  He was born in Polk county, Missouri, December 30, 1849, and is a son of Captain William White, whose birth occurred in Ohio.  The grandfather, James White, was a native of New England, but removed to the Buckeye state at an early period in its development, and there the Captain was reared and educated, subsequently removing westward to Missouri.  At the time of the Mexican war he served as a soldier in the regiment commanded by Colonel Price, afterward the noted Rebel General Price, of the Civil war.  In 1846 Captain White crossed the plains and served under General Fremont in the western district, remaining a member of the United States army in active service against the Indians upon the frontier.  His gallantry and bravery won him promotion to the rank of captain in a Missouri company.  A member of the Union army during the war of the rebellion, he was captured at Springfield, Missouri, and one of the guards placed over him was his own brother, who was then a member of the Rebel army!  Captain White made a most brilliant record as a brave and loyal soldier and a gallant officer, and his own valor often inspired his men to deeds of bravery.  He has indeed a brilliant military record, for in the Mexican war, upon the plains of the west and as a defender of the Union he aided his country.  He now resides at Halstead, Harvey county, Kansas.  He married Emma E High, who was born in Tennessee and was reared and educated in Polk county, Missouri.  They became the parents of the following children:  C C, of this review; Sumner, who is living in Halstead, Kansas; William, deceased; Mrs Fanny Woods, of Rice county; Joseph, who is living in Virginia; Mrs Ida Lehman, of Halstead, Kansas; Mrs Rose Chapin, who died in Halstead; Mrs Hattie Southard, of Redlands, California.  The father of this family was a wool carder by trade and afterward devoted his energies to farming when not engaged in military service in behalf of his country.  He is now living retired at his pleasant home in Halstead, at the age of seventy-six years.  His wife passed away in the winter of 1900, and her loss was mourned by many friends, for she had many estimable qualities which won her high regard.

   C C White of this review was reared in Montgomery county, Illinois, and acquired a good education, which has been supplemented by the knowledge gained by travel.  He has visited almost every state in the Union, and is thus familiar with his native land.  In 1872 he came to Rice county, Kansas, and took a homestead claim.  During the first season after his arrival he worked on the railroad.  Upon his farm he built a stone house and dugout and lived alone for a time.  During the greater part of the year he engaged in hunting buffaloes throughout central Kansas, selling the hides, which brought him a good return.  Large herds of those animals were seen in central Kansas, sometimes a thousand being seen in one drove.  For three years Mr White continued hunting and thus gained a good living.  He afterward turned his attention to the development of his farm and erected thereon a rock and frame residence, which stands upon a natural building site and commands a fine view of the river and surrounding prairie.  None of the equipments of a model farm are lacking.  A fine orchard of twenty acres yields its fruits in season.  In addition to the development of the fields he is operating a quarry, selling much rock.  It is this which has given the name of White Rock Farm to his place.

   In 1875 Mr White returned to the east and was there united in marriage to Miss Martha A Kellar, who was born in Macoupin county, Illinois, and was educated in Litchfield, that state.  Her father was the Rev J W Kellar, who for fifty years was a minister of the Christian church, a most active and zealous worker in the cause of the Master.  He died at Mt Rose, Missouri, in 1898, and his wife, Mrs Sarah Kellar also passed away in that state.  Unto our subject and his wife have been born four children:  Walter, whose birth occurred April 1, 1876; Laura, who married Menno Slobach of McPherson county, Kansas; and Ida.  They also lost one child in infancy.  Mr White is a Republican in his political views, and for twenty years he has served on the school board.  A man of intelligence, he keeps well informed on the general issues and questions of the day and is able to support his political position by strong argument.  His wife is a member of the Christian church, and he advances every measure for the uplifting of his fellow men and the advancement of the best interests of his community along lines of intellectual, moral and material progress.