A well known and popular citizen of Elkhorn is the genial auctioneer, Edgar E. White, representative of another of our sterling early families, and a man who has been content to spend his life within the borders of his own county, wisely deciding that it were useless to attempt to find a better.
Mr. White was born in Spring Prairie township, Walworth county, Wisconsin, November 5, 1861. He is the son of Edgar and Dorothy (Mohr) White, a complete sketch of whom appears in the review of the subject’s brother, Henry H. White, the present postmaster of Lake Geneva.
Edgar E. White grew up on the home farm, and when a young man he worked out at farm work for a time. On October 3, 1883, he was united in marriage with Louise Schaub, of Spring Prairie, daughter of Caspar and Elizabeth (Schwartz) Schaub. These parents were natives of Germany, where they spent their early lives, emigrating to America about 1852. They located in New York city, where the father conducted a meat market for a number of years. He was twice married, first to the sister of his last wife, his first wife dying after the family came to America, thus his second marriage was solemnized here, his last wife. Elizabeth, being the mother of Mrs. White.
Mr. Schaub finally came to Spring Prairie township. Walworth county, Wisconsin, where he bought a farm on which he spent the rest of his life. Caspar Schaub also spent about twenty years of his life in the ministry of the Methodist church, in which he did much good. He lost his life on a steamboat on Lake Michigan, the boat being burned and the passengers drowned. This was about the year 1890. Two children were born of his first union.
Edward E. and Charles. The former, who is principal of the high school at Oconto Falls, Wisconsin, has been teaching for over thirty years and is a well known educator. The latter died at Boenna City, Michigan. Fi\e children were born to Caspar Schaub and his second wife, namely : Kate. A\ho is the wife of John Messersmith, lived in Spring Prairie township, where her death occurred; Louise, wife of Mr. White, of this sketch; Lucetta died in Spring Prairie township, unmarried; John is farming in Spring Prairie township, this county; Clarence C. lives at Boenna City, Michigan, and is at present city treasurer there.
Mrs. White grew to womanhood in Spring Prairie township, was educated in the public schools and there she lived until her marriage. Mr. White engaged in buying and selling live stock after his marriage, also handled poultry, continuing this line of business with success until 1892 or later. He moved to Elkhorn in 1893 and here he has since resided, with the exception of about a year, 1910, spent on a farm near Elkhorn. Since coming here he has taken an interest in public affairs and he was assessor of Elkhorn for three years, then resigned to run for sheriff of Walworth county in 1900, and he was elected in November of that year, taking office in January, 1901. After holding the office two years, he was appointed under-sheriff, which position he held two years. He again made the race for sheriff in 1906 and was elected, serving from January, 1907, to the end of 1908. In 1909 he was appointed under-sheriff, to fill a vacancy and he held that position two years. He discharged the duties of these offices in a manner that reflected much credit upon himself and to the eminent satisfaction of all concerned, irrespective of party alignment. He ^^•as ever faithful and conscientious in the discharge of his duties and it is doubtful if the county has ever had a more efficient or satisfactory public official.
About 1890 Mr. White first began as an auctioneer, his knowledge of live stock and his experience in this line giving him a decided advantage in this work, and he has been conducting public sales ever since with a marked degree of success. He has cried perhaps one hundred sales annually.
Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. White, namely : Orvilla, who married Perry James, of Delavan township, now li\”es in Delavan; Carrie is the wife of Joe Itson, of Burlington, and they have one daughter, named Elizabeth; Mabel is the wife of Harry Gates, of Geneva township, the son of C. M. Gates, mentioned in this work, and she has two children. Edith and Donald ; Edgar, Hiram, Charlie and Gladys are all at home with their parents. Mr. White is a member of the Masonic fraternity, prominent in the chapter at Elkhorn.
From: Beckwith, A.C. (1912). History of Walworth County Wisconsin