James White, a pioneer in Illinois and in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church there, was born of pious parents, in Green County, Kentucky, Dec. 31, 1814. His parents disliking slavery left a comfortable home, in 1820, and emigrated to where Tallula, Ill., now is. There they entered a large tract of land, freeing and establishing their slaves on a part of the land. Mr. White grew up on his father's farm, helping his parents in their new home. Under the example of pious parents, he became an honest, conscientious and piously inclined young man. I 1834, his twentieth year, he was converted, under the preaching of Rev. John M. Berry and others. He served as a ruling elder in Rock Creek church for seven years. After his conversion, Mr. White felt it his duty to preach. He had but very limited education, and this together with his modesty made him doubt his divine call. Still the Spirit seemed to call. We find from his autobiography, prepared for the Sangamon Presbytery, that the doubts and fears were an almost unbearable burden upon his life. The reading of his struggles reminds one of the mental burdens of Bunyan and Cardinal Newman, as recorded by them. Often after a reverie over this always-present question, he would find himself standing in the field like a statue. At other times he would move aimlessly about his labor, not knowing what his hands were doing. He wrestled with his Divine Master for an unmistakable answer, and as often would seem to hear the call, "Go work in my vineyard." Still his want of talent and education would rise and bear him down in doubt. He felt the want of an opportunity to testify to his Master's goodness to him, but a proposed prayer meeting gave him promise of such an opportunity. He looked forward with hopes and fears for the day, and in prayer prepared himself for giving his testimony. His efforts gave him encouragement. Again the burden came upon him, and he submitted his case to the presbytery and resolved to abide its judgment. The Spirit was triumphant and after hearing his experience, the presbytery received him as a candidate under its care, April 10, 1841. Now he applied himself to acquiring the literary knowledge necessary for his work. With a family depending for support upon his labors on the farm, often after working all day, midnight would find him at his studies; and he even took his books with him to the field. In the autumn of 1842, he was licensed by Sangamon Presbytery. For eighteen months he preached to destitute places, and in the spring of 1844, the sum of fifty dollars was pledged to him by Rev. N. H. Downing, J. B. Thompson and Wm. Shirley to preach on a two weeks' circuit for six months. Then four destitute places pledged fifteen dollars each. His labors were so blessed that April 3, 1847, he was ordained. During these six years his meager salary had employed held on his farm, and with the aid of his worthy wife, he had supported his family. Meanwhile he had by hard study prepared himself for the ministry without a teacher.

Mr. White now entered zealously upon pastoral work, being at various times in charge of churches in Menard, Sangamon, Cass and Logan Counties, Illinois, and at Martinsville and Washington, Indiana. He also often answered the Macedonian cry, by holding many revival meetings, in which work his great faith was rewarded in the winning of many souls for Christ. Mr. White continued to labor as a pastor almost continually until 1880, when he became too old and infirm for constant active work. After that time he still continued to preach as he was able until 1894, making a continuous period of fifty-four years from his licensure forty-six years of which were in Sangamon Presbytery. We have not the data of conversions under his preaching, except at Lincoln, Ill., where in four years between eighty and ninety souls were added to his church. Mr. White's chief desire was to win souls, and in this and in devotion to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church he followed in the footsteps of the fathers of the church.

Mr. White used his best efforts to build up a Cumberland Presbyterian Church school, first in Virginia, Ill., where he performed pastoral duties, and at the same time acted as soliciting agent, and giving to the school half of a good farm, which had been left him by his father. All efforts were unavailing and the school failed. As usual in failures, no credit was given him for his sacrifices. In 1862, he accepted a call to Lincoln, Ill. Here he found prominent members of the church who had been pioneers both in Illinois and in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The people of the town were enterprising and ready to assist churches without regard to denominational views. The minister who adorned his calling was respected and beloved by non-church people, and Mr. White here found a happy home. He expected to make the place his home for the remainder of his days. After the failure at Virginia. Mr. White had written brethren in the ministry in Illinois and Indiana, among whom Elam McCord, then preceptor at Bainbridge, Ind., urging the establishing of a Cumberland Presbyterian college for the Northwest. These letters were productive of good fruit. In 1864, the Synods Indiana, Illinois and Iowa decided to locate such a college. Commissioners were appointed to select a site for the school. The business men of Lincoln wished to secure the institution, and requested Mr. White to use his efforts to that end. The failure at Virginia and the loss of his patrimony there, together with a knowledge that locating the school at Lincoln would cause his removal from a happy home, bore heavily upon his mind. He knew the location at either of the other places proposed, and away from business centers, would prove a failure. Now was the moment to secure a school for his beloved church. Lincoln promised success. After meditation and prayer, and trusting that God would bless the school, he yielded to duty, and at once zealously entered upon the work. He called a mass meeting of the people of Lincoln, and laid before them the necessity of immediate action and a large subscription. The sum of $21,000 was subscribed and Mr. White was selected to present the claims of Lincoln. He went to Mount Zion, near Decatur, Ill., where the committee met, and laid before them Lincoln's subscription. Lincoln was not a prominent Cumberland Presbyterian point then, and but one vote was received for it. He earnestly urged the committee to visit Lincoln, and examine the place and the subscription before deciding. The motion to visit was carried by one vote. It was a providential intervention which decided the location. The day the committee visited Lincoln was dark, misty, chilly, and gloomy, and the streets were muddy and uninviting. First the visitors were taken to the beautiful grounds where the Odd Fellows' Orphan's Home is now located. It presented no charms and the committee asked, "Have you no other place?" They were then taken to Lincoln Hill, a very inviting spot, but not pleasing to the committee. "Have you any other place to show?" was asked. Sadly the people who had given the people a warm welcome, started for the spot where the Lincoln University is now located. As they left Lincoln Hill the mist began to clear away, and the sun suddenly came out warm and bright as it does only on a winter day in Illinois, and before the site was reached, all was cheerful. As the committee alighted, a train of cars left the Chicago and Alton depot for the North. The moving train was in clear view for nearly seven miles. As the train coursed over the prairie, one of the committee said to another, "This is a beautiful spot;" and as it passed out of sight he added, "I am satisfied that this is the place to locate our school, and I do not wish to look further." "And so am I," answered the other. Thus under the dispensation of Providence, the Lincoln University was located at Lincoln, Ill. Without this dark day, so providentially succeeded by brightness, the school would have been located at an unimportant point, where, after a feeble existence, it would have followed the unhappy example of the Virginia school. "God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform." The people of Lincoln gave $30,000 which paid for the building and the grounds. The Lincoln University has proved a blessing to, and a strong defense for, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in the Northwest. It has graduated many of the strongest and most useful men of the church. The church at Lincoln, under Mr. White's urgent pastoral appeal, erected a large brick house of worship which remained until want of more room compelled the building, under Dr. Tinnon, the present pastor, of one of the most prominent church edifices in all this section.

The pioneers of Illinois, in all callings, grew up amid environments which made them strong. Though of limited education, their reasoning was convincing alike to the most learned as well as to the least. Abraham Lincoln is himself its noblest example. Such positions as they were called to, they were able to fill. Mr. White had this characteristic. Under his ministration men not only heard the gospel from the preacher's lips but they read it in his life. His hearers believed he had faith in what he preached, and were convinced by his preaching. He was earnest in preaching salvation for the lost, and strong in the theology of his church. Up-to-date in all things, he had faith in the doctrines of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and was always loyal to it, but his most earnest desire was to save souls, not to proselyte believers.

It is an honor to a man to put his life-work into history, but the highest duty we owe to a departed good man, is to give his life's history to the present and future generations, so that they may profit by his example. We have given this extended history of this God-loving and God-fearing minister that the young probationer for the ministry may better learn that if it be God's will that he preach, honest devotion to the divine Master's work will triumph over poverty of purse and education, and that the adornment of his calling will inspire faith in his hearers and thus he will be thrice armed in his Master's cause.
Lincoln, Ill.
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, January 21, 1897, pages 936-938]

1841
Candidate - April 10, 1841 - Sangamon Presbytery

1842
Licensed - Autumn 1842 - Sangamon Presbytery

1847
Ordained: 3 April 1847 - Sangamon Presbytery

1850
James White
Minister - Sangamon Presbytery - Sangamon Synod
Commissioner to General Assembly in Clarksville, Tennessee, May 21-27, 1850.
Served on the Committee on the Records of Mississippi Synod.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1850, pages 4 & 8]

1854 is the first year for Presbyterial Directories in the General Assembly Minutes.

1854
James White, Virginia, Ill.
Minister - Sangamon Presbytery - Sangamon Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1854, page 93]

1855
No directory for 1855 in General Assembly Minutes.

1856
James White, Virginia, Ill.
Minister - Sangamon Presbytery - Sangamon Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1856, page 63]

1857
James White, Virginia, Ill.
Minister - Sangamon Presbytery - Sangamon Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1857, page 74]

1858
No directory for 1858 in General Assembly Minutes.

1859
No directory for 1859 in General Assembly Minutes.

1860
James White, Virginia, Ills.
Minister - Sangamon Presbytery - Sangamon Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1860, page 101]

1861
No directory for 1861 in General Assembly Minutes.

1862
No directory for 1862 in General Assembly Minutes.
Minister - Sangamon Presbytery - Sangamon Synod
Commissioner to General Assembly in Owensboro, Kentucky, May 15-20, 1862.
Served on the Committee on Publication.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1862, pages 27 & 28]

1863
No directory for 1863 in General Assembly Minutes.
Minister - Mackinaw Presbytery - Sangamon Synod
Commissioner to General Assembly in Alton, Illinois, May 21-28, 1863.
Served on the Committee on Missions.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1863, pages 64 & 66]

1864
No directory for 1864 in General Assembly Minutes.
Minister - Mackinaw Presbytery - Sangamon Synod
Commissioner to General Assembly in Lebanon, Ohio, May 19-26, 1864.
Served on the Committee on Sabbath Schools and Parental Instruction.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1864, pages 104 & 106]

1865
James White, Lincoln, Ill.
Minister - Mackinaw Presbytery - Sangamon Synod
Commissioner to General Assembly in Evansville, Indiana, May 18-24, 1865.
Served on the Committee on Missions.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1865, pages 165, 167 & 206]

1866
No directory for 1866 in General Assembly Minutes.

1867
No directory for 1867 in General Assembly Minutes.

1868
James White, Martinsville, Ind.
Minister - Wabash Presbytery - Indiana Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1868, page 109]

1869
James White, Martinsville, Ind.
Minister - Wabash Presbytery - Indiana Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1869, page 90]

1870
James White, Washington, Indiana
Minister - Morgan Presbytery - Indiana Synod
Commissioner to General Assembly in Warrensburg, Missouri, May 19-26, 1870.
Served on the Committee on the Minutes of Illinois Synod.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1870, pages 4, 8 & 79]

1871
James White, Tallula, Ill.
Minister - Sangamon Presbytery - Sangamon Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1871, page 83]

1872
White, James, Tallula, Ill.
Minister - Sangamon Presbytery - Sangamon Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1872, page 126]

1873
White, James, Tallula, Ill.
Minister - Sangamon Presbytery - Sangamon Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1873, page 102]

1874
White, James, Tallula, Ill.
Minister - Sangamon Presbytery - Sangamon Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1874, page 102]

1875
White, James, Tallula, Ill.
Minister - Sangamon Presbytery - Sangamon Synod
Commissioner to General Assembly in Jefferson, Texas, May 20-28, 1875.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1875, pages 6 & 85]

1876
No directory for Sangamon Presbytery in 1876.

1877
White, James, Greenview, Ill.
Minister - Sangamon Presbytery - Sangamon Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1877, page 90]

1878
White, James, Greenview, Ill.
Minister - Sangamon Presbytery - Sangamon Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1878, page 99]

1879
White, James, Greenview, Ill.
Minister - Sangamon Presbytery - Sangamon Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1879, page 95]

1880
White, James, Greenview, Ill.
Minister - Sangamon Presbytery - Sangamon Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1880, page 122]

1881
White, James, Greenview, Ill.
Minister - Sangamon Presbytery - Sangamon Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1881, page 94]

1882
White, James, Greenview, Ill.
Minister - Sangamon Presbytery - Sangamon Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1882, page 124]

1883
White, James, Greenview, Ill.
Minister - Sangamon Presbytery - Sangamon Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1883, page 132]

1884
White, James, Greenview, Ill.
Minister - Sangamon Presbytery - Sangamon Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1884, page 121]

1885
White, James, Greenview, Ill.
Minister - Sangamon Presbytery - Sangamon Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1885, page 136]

1886
White, James, Greenview, Ill.
Minister - Sangamon Presbytery - Sangamon Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1886, paged 165]

1887
White, James, Greenview, Ill.
Minister - Sangamon Presbytery - Illinois Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1887, page 162]

1888
White, James, Greenview, Ill.
Minister - Sangamon Presbytery - Illinois Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1888, page 174]

1889
White, James, Greenview, Ill.
Minister - Sangamon Presbytery - Illinois Synod
Commissioner to General Assembly in Kansas City, Missouri, May 16-23, 1889.
Served on the Committee on Judiciary.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1889, pages 4, 8 & 183]

1890
White, James, Greenview, Ill.
Minister - Sangamon Presbytery - Illinois Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1890, page 129]

1891
White, James, Greenview, Ill.
Minister - Sangamon Presbytery - Illinois Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1891, page 144]

1892
White, James, Greenview, Ill.
Minister - Sangamon Presbytery - Illinois Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1892, page 152]

1893
White, James, Greenview, Ill.
Minister - Sangamon Presbytery - Illinois Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1893, page 154]

1894
White, James, Greenview, Ill.
Minister - Sangamon Presbytery - Illinois Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1894, page 168]

1895
White, James, Greenview, Ill.
Minister - Sangamon Presbytery - Illinois Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1895, page 175]

1896
White, James, Greenview, Ill.
Minister - Sangamon Presbytery - Illinois Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1896, page 161]

1897
Ordained Ministers Deceased
Name: White, Jas.
Occupation: (r.)
Presbytery: Sangamon
Place of Residence: Greenview, Ill.
Date: Dec. 19, 1896
Age: 82
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1897, page 137]

Rev. James and John G. White, noted Cumberland Presbyterian preachers in this state years ago, were sons of the pioneer James White.
[Source: Past and Present of Menard County, Illinois. By Rev. R. D. Miller. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1905, page 48]