# 1 - - Published in The Enterprise, January 21, 1937

A penciled notation lists the burial location in the Blair Cemetery: B-69, L-11, S-5.

JOHN F. WHITE IS DEATH VICTIM TUES. JAN. 19

HAD HELD MANY PUBLIC OFFICES OF TRUST. WAS BLAIR POSTMASTER

WAS BLAIR MAYOR

John F. White, one of the most prominent figures in the county, passed away Tuesday morning at 3 o’clock at the Court View hospital in this city where he had been taken a few hours before. He had been ill but about a day when the end came.

Deceased was born in Salem, Indiana and had passed his eightieth birth anniversary on last October 14. When a boy his parents moved to Tekamah where he grew to manhood. For twenty-three years he was railway mail clerk, resigning to run for county treasurer of this county which position he held for two terms, that being the limit of the tenure of office at that time.

While he was yet county treasurer he was elected mayor of the city which place he filled with credit to himself. Later he became county commissioner and in March of 1924 he was appointed acting postmaster. This position he held until in February of 1934.

In all his dealings with the public he made a good official and his friends were legion. His happy, easy manner and his hale fellow well met manner unlocked many a door for him and made him many warm friends.

He was married twice. His first marriage was to Elvira Ellen Kiely, the ceremony taking place in Blair in the house where he passed his remaining years which is located just east of the city hall.

His first wife passed away in August, 1925 and October 14, 1926 he was married to Miss Lucy Uydike, a teacher in the schools of the county.

The widow and one brother, Walter, of Omaha, and two sisters, of Salem, Indiana, survive him, and will greatly miss his cheering smile which was natural to him.

He was a member of the Masonic organization and had always taken an active interest in the work of the order.

The funeral services are to be held this (Thursday) afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Methodist church, the Masons having charge of the ceremonies, and interment will be made in the Blair cemetery.

# 2 - - Pilot-Tribune, January 21, 1937

JOHN F. WHITE, 80, FORMER MAYOR IS BURIED TODAY

PROMINENT POLITICAL FIGURE FOR MANY YEARS DIES SUDDENLY

MASONIC RITES THIS AFTERNOON

PROMINENT BLAIRITE HAD BEEN COUNTY TREASURER, COMMISSIONER, POSTMASTER, MAYOR AND REPUBLICAN LEADER DURING CAREER

John F. White, 80, former mayor of Blair and long active in civic and political affairs of Blair and Washington county, died early Tuesday at Court View hospital, two hours after being taken there. He had been ill only two days.

In good cheer even during his last day, Mr. White had been reading a book at his home on east Lincoln street, next to the city hall, where he had resided for half a century. His illness had been sudden, and his hundreds of friends, many of whom had seen him in the business section Saturday, were shocked to hear of his sudden passing. His hearty laughter and good humor had been almost an institution in Blair.

Born in Salem, Indiana, October 16, 1858, Mr. White spent his earlier years there. He came to Tekamah, Nebraska, as a young man and taught school there two years. Later he went to western Nebraska and Montana, then the heart of the old cattle country. He drove a stagecoach for a time and had many thrilling experiences.

For 23 years he was with the railway mail service, operating between Missouri Valley and Valentine. He made many friends among the railroad men, many of whom had visited him during recent years.

ACTIVE POLITICALLY

When he came to Blair to make his home, Mr. White became interested in politics for the first time. Running on the republican ticket and as a non-political candidate, he held probably as many public offices during his lifetime as any other resident of Blair.

He served several years as mayor of Blair, and only last spring was again a candidate for the office. For two terms he was treasurer of Washington county. He had served as county commissioner. From 1924 to 1933, he was Blair’s postmaster, succeeding the late Thomas T. Osterman. He went out in the democratic landslide of 1932, being succeeded by J. P. Jensen, the present postmaster. For many years he was county republican chairman and in recent years had been an active worker for the party.

Mr. White is survived by his wife, whom he married ten years ago; a step-daughter, Mrs. M.R. Pound of Blair; two stepsons, George Kiely of Toronto, Canada, and W. Stockton of Los Angeles; a brother, Walter White of Omaha; and two sisters, Misses Zella and Mattie White of Salem, Indiana.

Funeral services are being conducted this afternoon at 2:00 o’clock at the Methodist church. The Masonic lodge will be in charge of the services, Mr. White having been a Knight Templar and long a prominent member.

An active republican for more than 50 years, Mr. White had been prominent in the recent Landon-for-president campaign. The day after Roosevelt and the democrats won a sweeping victory, Mr. White appeared in the business section bright and early. He approached a fellow republican who was surrounded by a group of democrats. The victorious democrats awaited his approach with the intention of “ribbing” him on the election outcome. They didn’t have a chance. Mr. White beat them to it.

“Bully ! Bully !” he beamed, slapping one of them on the back. Then, to the republican, in a stage whisper: “Just between you and me, didn’t we get a hell of a whipping?”