Frances Marion White

WHITE, REAGAN, MATHER

Posted By: Deborah Gilbert (email)
Date: 9/5/2016 at 15:15:34

Book: Maxwell 1883-1983

Frances Marion (also known as F. M. or Med) White was born in Blue Earth, Minnesota March 26, 1869. Within a year he traveled with his family (parents Asa & Abigail White) by covered wagon to Potwin, Kansas. As a twelve year old boy, riding a Morgan Stallion, he again by covered wagon traveled to Story County, Iowa, the Highland Park area of the settlement of Maxwell, Iowa.

Gennettie (Net or Nettie) Reagan, daughter of David Reagan, was born in Story County January 12, 1876 and lived, except for five years, her entire life here.

Med and Nettie were married on February 18, 1892. They had a double wedding with Barbra White and George Mather.

Three years later they took up residence in Red River Valley, Minnesota, where they made their home for five years and returned to Maxwell to make their permanent home. They were the proud parents of twelve children: Martha, Glen, Lorena, Lemuel, Anna, Ralph, Pauline, Asa, Max, Lola, Gale and John.

As a young man Med ran a cream route. For 18 years he worked as a skilled harness maker at the Ole Sabo harness shop in Maxwell followed by 25 years as a farmer in the Maxwell community. While farming, each year at harvest time, Med traveled the community as an engineer for the threshing crew. Some years, he manned both steam engine and separator. After Nettie's death he returned to hand sewing fancy show harnesses at Williamsburg, Iowa until the day of his death.

Nettie was a kind loving mother and helpmate to all that knew her. She and Med, although busy with their large family, were never to busy to give of themselves to all whoe needed them. During the great flu epidemic, their own family stricken, they found time to help neighbors and friends.

Through many heartaches, many joys, the family was taught the love for one another and friends and neighbors.