Charles W. White of Texas County, Missouri

Charles W. White, A. M., president and proprietor of Houston Institute, was born in Randolph County, N. C., December 15, 1856, and is the son of Woodward R. and Mary A. (Wall) White, natives of Randolph County, N. C. Woodward R. White died in his native county in 1868, at the age of forty-three years. He received a good common-school education, and although starting with limited means, became a successful farmer; was also engaged in stock dealing, principally in horses, and prospered in all his undertakings. He was captain of a company of Confederate infantry of Gen. A. P. Hill’s division; was in many battles during his service; was taken prisoner at Hill’s surrender, and retained as such at Hart’s Island until July, 1865. The White family were from Scotland, and settled either in Virginia or North Carolina. They took an important part during the Revolutionary War. The Wall family were originally from England. Mrs. Mary A. White was born in 1833, is still living, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, of which her husband was also a member. He was a Democrat in politics, and belonged to the Masonic fraternity. To their union were born seven children, six now living: Robert T., Thomas Logan, William F. M., Jennie, Susan E. and Charles W. The latter was reared on the farm, and graduated in the year 1877, with the degree of A. B., from Trinity College, where he received the degree of A. M. in 1880. He then taught at Trap Hill Institute as principal for five years, or until 1883, when he came to Missouri, and located at Houston. He there opened the Academy, which, by energy and perseverance, he has built to its now excellent standing. December 26, 1881, he married Miss Betty Dean, daughter of Henry and Nancy Dean, of Phelps County, Mo., and to this union have been born two children: H. Lee and Don W. Prof. White is a member of the I. O. O. F., is Secretary, and has represented his lodge at the Grand Lodge. He is also D. D. G. M. He was elected school commissioner of Texas County in April, 1887, and re-elected in 1889; is a Democrat in his political views, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.