Friday, April 22, 2011

James H. and Myron Alonzo White

James H. White was born in 1840 in Ypsilanti, Washtenaw County, Michigan, the son of Benjamin (1813-1853) and Esther (Noyes, b. 1818).

James’ parents were both born in New York and presumably were married there. In any case they had settled in Michigan by 1839 and by 1841 when Myron was born they were probably living in Yankee Springs, Barry County. By 1850 James was attending school with his younger brother Myron and living with the family in Ada, Kent County, where their father worked as a wheel-wright and carriage-maker. By 1860 James was working as a farm laborer for the Dennis family in Ada. (By 1860 his father had apparently died and Esther was listed as head of household and working as a farmer in Ada.)

James stood 5’5” with gray eyes, light hair and a light complexion and was a 22-year-old farmer probably living in Ada when he enlisted in Company B on February 26, 1862, at Grand Rapids for 3 years, and was mustered the same day; James’ younger brother Myron also enlisted in Company B on February 26, and both may have been related to Samuel White.

James reportedly shot his thumb off on June 1, 1862 (so did Myron White), and deserted on July 1 at Harrison’s Landing, Virginia (as did Myron). James returned from desertion on August 15, although according to one report both James and Myron were among the sick and wounded soldiers who had arrived at Detroit Barracks around the first of August. However, another source reported that by early September he was in Carver hospital in Washington suffering from a slight sickness.

In any case, James reportedly deserted again on October 8 at Edward’s Ford (or Ferry), Maryland, but in fact he was discharged at Carver hospital in Washington, DC, on November 2, 1862, suffering from valvular disease of the heart with stiffness of second joint of the right thumb. (His brother Myron also allegedly deserted in late October at Edward’s Ferry but he too was discharged for a wounded thumb at Emory hospital in Washington.)

James returned to Michigan after the war.

He was married to Emma L., and they had at least one child: Percy (1879-1880).

By 1880 he was working as a stone and brick mason in Gaines, Kent County; also living with them was his niece, 6-year-old Lottie Burnett.

In 1879 he applied for and received a pension (no. 290870).

James probably died in 1905 and probably in Michigan.

In any case his widow was residing in Michigan in 1905 when she applied for and received a pension (no. 613703).

Myron Alonzo White was born on August 23, 1841, in Yankee Springs, Barry County, Michigan, the son of Benjamin (1813-1853) and Esther (Noyes, b. 1818).

Myron’s parents were both born in New York and presumably were married there. In any case they had settled in Michigan by 1839 and by 1841 when Myron was born they were probably living in Yankee Springs, Barry County. By 1850 Myron was attending school with his older brother James and living with the family in Ada, Kent County, where their father worked as a wheel-wright and carriage-maker. By 1860 his father had apparently died and Esther was listed as head of household and working as a farmer in Ada. By 1860 Myron was living in Grand Rapids.

Myron stood 5’7” with blue eyes, light hair and a light complexion and was a 20-year-old farmer possibly living in Ada or Grand Rapids when he enlisted in Company B on February 22, 1862, at Grand Rapids, and was mustered on February 24; Myron’s older brother James also enlisted in Company B on February 26, and both may have been related to Samuel White.

Myron was wounded in the right thumb on May 31, 1862 at Fair Oaks, Virginia (James White shot his thumb off on June 1), and allegedly deserted on July 1 at Harrison’s Landing, Virginia (so did James).

Myron was returned to the Regiment in August and was absent sick in the hospital through September. according to one source, by the first week of August both Myron and James were among the sick and wounded soldiers who had recently arrived at Detroit Barracks. He allegedly deserted again on October 23 at Edward’s Ford (or Ferry), Maryland, but in fact was discharged on October 16, 1862, at Emory hospital, Washington, DC, for “the loss of the thumb of the right hand in battle, and general debility resulting from typhoid fever.”

He eventually returned to Michigan, probably to Ada, Kent County which he listed as his mailing address on his discharge paper.

He was married to Ohio native Sarah L. (1853-1914), and they had at least four children: Mary (b. 1873), Louis (b. 1875), Martin (b. 1878), Cora (b. 1879) and a son (d. 1899).

By 1880 he was working in a mill and living with his wife and children in Pierson, Montcalm County. In 1883 he was living in Pierson, Montcalm County where he worked for some time as a laborer. He was still living in Pierson in 1888 and 1890, 1894 and 1911 (?). Indeed he probably lived in Pierson the rest of his life. His father-in-law died in Pierson in 1903 and was buried in Pierson cemetery

Myron received pension no. 161,095, dated June of 1879, drawing $2.00 for loss of right thumb.

Myron died on December 13, 1907, presumably in Pierson, and was buried in Pierson Township cemetery (his wife was also buried in Pierson cemetery in 1914).

In January of 1908 his widow was still living in Michigan when she applied for and received a pension (no. 664240).

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