Lot No. 27 contains only two marked graves, those of brothers Tobias G. and James W. White, located at its south end. Tobias never married. James's wife, Mary Ann (Bowen) White, who died 25 or 26 November 1881 at the age of 49 years, 9 months and 20 days, is buried in the nearby Ragtown Cemetery. It is probable that at least three children are buried near her at Ragtown, which could mean that there was no place left on that lot for James W. when he died some 38 years later.
The south stone on the lot is white marble about five and a half feet tall. The west face is blank; the north and south faces inscribed, "I am the life"; and the east face inscribed as follows:
July 24, 1826
Feb. 29, 1896
There seems to be no complete obituary for Tobias, but death notices were published in two of Chariton's newspapers as follows:
Tobias White, one of the early settlers of Lucas county, died at the home of Bonaparte Fox in Benton township Saturday, after several weeks' illness. The funeral was conducted Sunday, interment in the Ragtown (sic., actually Salem) cemetery. Mr. White had passed three score years of life, was never married and leaves a fortune estimated at twenty-five thousand dollars. (Chariton Herald, 5 March 1896)
Mr. Tobias White died Friday night at 2 o'clock and was buried in Salem cemetery, Sunday, March 1, at 11 o'clock. Rev. Green of Russell conducted the services. Mr. White was in his 70th year and has resided in Iowa for many years, and was quite well known. While a member of no church he has always led an upright Christian life and was never known to have an unkind word for anyone. He was never married. Three brothers and two sisters survive him. (Chariton Democrat, 6 March 1896)
James W. White's tombstone, a small gray slab located north of Tobias's stone, for some reason does not include his name. "FATHER" is inscribed across its top and the dates, on the west face, as well as the words "Gone but not forgotten," even though his childrens' economy seems designed to ensure that his name was forgotten.
Jan. 22, 1828
May 20, 1919
Gone but not forgotten
OBITUARY: JAMES W. WHITE
Chariton Herald Patriot, 22 May 1919
The venerable James W. White passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. America Gillham, in Russell, Ia., on Tuesday night, May 20, 1919, at the age of 91 years and 4 months. Funeral services were held in Russell on Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock, followed by interment in the Salem cemetery.
James White, son of John and Sylvia White, was born in Monroe County, Indiana, on January 22, 1828. He grew to manhood in that place where he was united in marriage to Mary Ann Bowen, who preceded him in death on November 25th, 1881. To this union twelve children were born, eight of whom are living. They are Mrs. Francis King, of Chariton; Mrs. Hannah Quinn, of Webster City; John J. White, of Maybell, Colo.; Mrs. Delia Hoppenstall and Mrs. America Gillham, of Russell; Mrs. Rilla Brown, of Otis, Colo.; Grover White, of Chariton. A daughter, Mrs. Ella Linebaugh, died in 1884 and three children died in infancy. Twenty-one grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren, two sisters and one brother, Mesdames Mary and Sarah Keller and Marion White, of this county, also are living. Deceased had lived in this county for many years and during his long residence here had won the high regard of all with whom he had come in contact. His many sterling traits of character are worthy of emulation. His passing away has brought sadness to the hearts of many friends, who will extend profound sympathy to the sorrowing children and other relatives who survive.
Note: Although the obituary states that eight children survived, the obituary lists the names of only seven.
Mary A. (Bowen) White, wife of James W., is buried with her father-in-law and mother-in-law, John and Massilva White, on a lot in the extreme southeast corner of Ragtown Cemetery, some two miles southeast of Salem, where the inscription on her tombstone reads as follows:
Wife of
J.W. WHITE
died
Nov. 26, 1881
AE. 49y. 9m. 20d.
Although their graves are unmarked it seems likely that some or all of the three White children who died as infants are buried here as well, perhaps filling the lot. That may explain at least in part why James W. White was buried at Salem rather than at Ragtown, near his wife.
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