Heman A. White

Heman Allen White was born in Washington, Vermont on September 21, 1817, the youngest son of Thaddeus White (1759-1851) and Rebecca (Gleason) White (1774-1853).[1] Thaddeus White, who was originally from Spencer, Massachusetts was a veteran of the American Revolution and one of the first settlers of Washington.[1] He posted the public notice for the first town freemen's meeting in 1793 and at the meeting was chosen as one of the three highway surveyors.[1] In 1794, Thaddeus White was chosen as the town's first member of the Vermont House of Representatives.[1]

Heman White attended the schools of Washington and the academy in Newbury.[1] He then studied law with attorney John Colby of Washington.[1] White was admitted to the bar in 1843 and established a practice in Washington.[1]

In addition to practicing law, White was involved in local politics and government.[1] Originally a Whig,[2] and a Republican from the time the party was founded in the mid 1850s, White served as Washington's town clerk from 1848 to 1898.[1] After serving as register of probate for the Randolph district of Orange County from 1854 to 1856, White was elected to a two-year term as probate judge.[1]

White went on to serve as state's attorney of Orange County from 1866 to 1868.[1] He represented Washington in the Vermont House of Representatives on several occasions, including 1857 to 1859, 1863 to 1866, and 1876 to 1878.[1] He also served one term (1870 to 1872) as a member of the Vermont Senate from Orange County.[1]

White died in Washington on January 1, 1898.[3] He was buried in the Calef family lot at Maple Hill Cemetery in Washington.[4]

In 1851, White married Mary C. Spencer (1831-1855).[1] They were the parents of a daughter, Dora (1855-1883), who was the wife of Rolla G. Spafford.[1] In 1861, White married Miraette Ann Calef (1830-1900).[1] After his death, she was appointed to succeed him as town clerk.[5]

• Heman A. White at Find a Grave