Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers.  "An
Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties")  Spokane, WA: Western Historical
Publishing Co., 1905.  p. 755.
 
EDWARD NEWTON WHITE

     an horticulturist and farmer of Crook county, is now living five miles
southeast from Prineville. He is to be classed as one of the early pioneers of
this county, and, in fact, has been on the frontier all his life. He was born in
Hancock county, Illinois, on April 28, 1828, the son of Edward White, one of the
earliest pioneers of Illinois. He was reared in the wilds of Illinois, being
among the Indians a large portion of the time, until March 13, 1845, whe he was
seventeen years of age. He was then taken as interpreter for a train which was
to make its way across the plains to the Pacific coast. When they arrived at the
Boise river they were surrounded by hostile Indians, but Mr. White, owing to his
skill and knowledge of the savages, succeeded in extracating his train without
bloodshed. They settled in the Willamette valley and remained until 1849, when
he went to the California mines. A year later he returned to Linn county. While
going to California in 1849, on the Rogue river, he, with fifteen companions,
was suddenly met by a large number of hostile Indians. Owing to his coolness and
knowledge of Indian ways, customs and language, he was enabled on this occasion
also to avoid bloodshed. Much is due to him on this occasion and especially at
this last time for it was very evident that a massacre had been planned.
     In the spring of 1855 he went to Colville, Washington, on account of his
health, and in the fall, when he returned to the Willamette valley, he enlisted
to fight the Indians. He was in the service for three months and then returned
to the valley, where he farmed until 1871. In that year he came to Crook county
and settled on the upper Ochoco, eight miles east from where Prineville now
stands. He engaged in stock raising for ten years and then purchased a place one
and a half miles from Prineville, where he remained about fifteen years with the
exception of three years, which he spent at Dufur, for the benefit of his
health. Three years since he came to his present location and secured one
hundred and sixty acres of land. He has put out one of the choicest orchards to
be found in eastern Oregon and doubtless the best one in Crook county. He also
retains his farm near Prineville, but pays especial attention to the home place.
Mr. White has taken great pains to beautify and improve his place and is very
skillful in horticulture.
     In 1848 Mr. White married Catherine J. Burkhart, a native of Greene county,
Illinois. Her father, John Burkhart, was a pioneer of 1847. After her death Mr.
White married Anna Woodsides, the latter wedding occurring in 1860. This Mrs.
White was born in Ohio. Her father, Thomas Woodsides, was a pioneer of 1847. He
started across the plains in that year with his family and he and four of his
children died before they reached the Willamette valley, the last one being
buried at The Dalles. To Mr. and Mrs. White the following named children have
been born: Mrs. Cynthia L. Harshler, of Dufur ; Mrs. Adelia A. Baker, of Benton
county ; Mrs. Jane McCullos, of Prineville ; Mrs. Udosica Zeace, of Boise ;
Grant, of British Columbia ; Aaron W., in Harney county ; Mrs. Grace E. Chain,
and Edward C.  Mr. White has passed a long and eventful career and is now hale
and hearty and has the great privilege of spending the golden years of his life
supplied with the competence that his labor and thrift have secured, while he
has the esteem, confidence and good will of all who know him.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in February 2009 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.