Bio: James Payne White, Bienville Parish Louisiana
Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana
The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville,  1890

Submitted by Kay Thompson Brown



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JAMES PAYNE WHITE
Cotton Planter
Arcadia, La

Among the prominent industries of Louisiana that of cotton planting has ever
taken a leading  place, and among those intimately and extensively
engaged in this pursuit is the subject of this sketch. Mr. White was born in
Georgia, on August 24, 1836, and was one of the eleven children who are
now named in the order of their births: Amanda (resides in Claiborne Parish,
and is the wife of S. J. Shaw a planter), Nancy (resides in Claiborne Parish,
and is the widow of Mr. Medirt, who was a planter), William (resides in
Claiborne Parish, married and is a planter), Augustus (married, and is engaged
in agricultural pursuits in Claiborne, Parish), Elijah (married, and is also
engaged in farming in Claiborne Parish), Mathias (married; and engaged in
tilling the soil in Bienville Parish), Minerva (resides in Claiborne Parish,
and is the wife of Mr. Watson), and John (who is married and engaged in
farming in Claiborne Parish).  One child is deceased.  The father of these
children vas a native of Georgia, and was an agriculturist all his life.  He
died at the age of seventy-eight years. The mother, whose maiden name was
Martha Tubberville, was also born in Georgia, and is now living at the
advanced age of seventy-seven years.  

Mr. White received his early education under difficulties for he had not
only to go five miles to school, traveling back and forth each day but school
was kept in an old log cabin without even a floor.  He started out for himself
at the age of eighteen years and on November 28, 1859 he was married to Miss
Celina Winsted, who born in Georgia, in April, 1839, and was educated in the
common schools.  They became the parents of seven children: Martha A. (died at
the age of nineteen years), Eladisia (died at the age of sixteen years),
Willie D.(resides with his parents, and is a farmer and miller by trade), J.
P. (is also with his parents), Marcus P. (aged nineteen years, resides with
his parents), Minnie Lee (died at the age of six  years). and Shelton Eugene
(who died at the age of four years.  The living children, who are all sons,
were well educated in Arcadia Academy. 

During the unpleasantness between the North and South Mr. White enlisted in
Company D., Capt. Randall's company, and was assigned to the Fifth Louisiana
Calvary Trans-Mississippi Department. He was detailed to act on duty in the
commissary and quartermaster's department, and served from 1862 until the
close of the war and during that time was never off duty.  He wore the gray
with honor to himself and the confederacy.  After being discharged at the
close of service, he returned to his home and began over again with very
little to start with.  He however had the determination and grit to persevere,
and today we find him one of the substantial men of the parish.  In politics
he has always adhered to the Democratic party in principle and precept.  He
has been tendered parish offices by his people, but has declined the position
from the fact, that a successful farmer can not successfully attend to two
things at once.  He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and
was superintendent of the Sunday-school for three years, during which time the
school was said to he in the most flourishing condition of any in Louisiana. 


Mr, White is a gentleman who has done a power of good for his community as a
Christian.  Mrs. White is a devout member of the Missionary Baptist Church. 
They are the owners of 630 acres of land, and they also have a ginning, sawing
and grist plant valued at $1,800.  Mr. White is public spirited, and is one of
the representative citizens of Bienville Parish.  His word is respected by
all.