Centralia Township (part 2 of 2)

William N. White

Is the son of John O. White and his wife, Jemima {nee Conley) White, and was born in this county, on the 2d day of July, 1847, His parents were both natives of Kentucky, but moved out to Boone county at an early day. Mr. White's paternal grandfather was a soldier in the war of 1812. William N. was reared on a farm till he was eighteen years old, and then accepted a clerkship in the store of Conley, Strong & Co., at Columbia, and was with them and their successors for twelve years. He then went into business as a partner in the firm of White, Barron & Co., at Columbia, also having a branch house at Centralia. In 1881 they consolidated at Centralia, where they do a leading business in their line, carrying a stock of some $50,000 annually. May 1, 1873, Mr. White married Miss Cornelia Shannon, daughter of the Rev. James Shannon, of Jefferson City, Missouri, an eminent divine in the Christian church, and for several years president of the State University. Mrs. White's mother, whose maiden name was Moore, was born in Georgia. Mr. and Mrs. White are the parents of three children, two of whom - John Shannon and Jemima - still survive. Mr. White has been a member of the Christian church since he was fifteen years of age, and is also a member of the Masonic fraternity and a Knight of Honor. He accumulated what he has chiefly through his own exertions, and is a fine business man and a worthy citizen.

Robert Harris Wilhite is the son of Smith Wilhite, a native of Boone county, and was born October 7th, 1855. He was raised on the farm and educated at the common schools of the neighborhood. In 1875 he commenced business for himself at Austin, Texas. Returning to Missouri, a few years later, he opened a furniture and un- dertaker's store at Ceutralia, which he continued until July, 1881, when he went into the boot and shoe trade. In 1882 took T. H. Barnes in partnership. In religion, Mr. Wilhite is a member of the Baptist church. He is a young man of energy and firmness, and is fast building up for himself a reliable and paying business.

James D. Wyatt

The subject of this sketch was born in Fleming county, Kentucky, April 30th, 1830. His parents, Micajah and Mary (Drennen) Wyatt, Avere both natives of Kentucky, and both his paternal and maternal grandfathers served as soldiers in the Revolution. James D. was reared on a farm and received his education in the county of his birth, finishing his course at Flemingsburg Academy. After quitting school he began teaching, and continued in that calling till 1852, when he began merchandising at Flemingsburg. In 1855 he went to St. eloseph, Missouri, and there read law under his brother. Judge Wyatt, who was then judge of the probate court in that city. Mr. Wyatt, however, never entered the practice, but giving up the law, went to Barrj^ Clay county, Missouri, and again began merchandising. He returned to St. Joe in '63, and for four years filled the position as salesman in a business house there. Again entering the mercantile field, he operated till 1869, when he sold out and moved to Centralia, where he carried on the mercantile business till the year of the National Centennial. He then retired from that line, and since then has been practicing law and operating as a collector. He has served as postmaster, and was also mayor of Centralia. Mr. Wyatt was married in 1858 to Miss Bettie Givens, daughter of Albert and Sallie Givens, of Clay county, this State, formerly of Kentucky. Three children were born of this union, onl}^ two of whom are living at this writing. Mr. Wyatt has been a member of the Christian church for over twenty 3^ears, and since 1869 has been an elder therein. He has also been a member of the Masonic fraternity for ten years, and in every way a trustworthy and exemplary citizen.