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White's Store

The forerunner of White's Store was known as "Old Post's Store", sometimes even referred to as "Post's $10 Store" because of the fact the first load of goods in the store amounted to only $10. It was hauled by James Hennon from Washington. Where "Old Post" went was never known, but the next owners were Adams & Hogin, who later sold to J.F. White and Perry Hennon. The latter later sold his share in the store to J.F. White.

J.F. White was born in Boone County, Indiana, June 3, 1835, his father being of English ancestry and his mother of Welsh origin; the former died when he was nine years of age, and the later when he was fourteen. He received a very limited education in the district schools of his native county, supplemented by an attendance at Lebanon, Indiana, Seminary for a short time. At the age of fourteen he commenced teaching and followed it as an occupation for five years. When he was nineteen years of age he improved a farm in Holt county, Missouri, breaking the land himself with a heavy yoke of oxen. In 1857, he decided to change his location so came to Keokuk county, settling in English River township, and engaged in farming. He acquired a farm of 365 acres. In 1858 he bought out Hogin, Adams & Co., dealers in general merchandise and was successful in that business. He probably built the building which was moved to the new town in 1879. The store never closed its doors, as far as business was concerned, during the moving. The moving process was slow and customers went to the store shopping as usual.

In connection with his mercantile pursuits he engaged largely and successfully in stock-feeding and stock-dealing; he was a director in the Iowa City & Western Railroad and it was largely owing to his efforts and energy that the northern portion of the county had railroad communications. He was proprietor of the "Western Herald" a journal that had quite a circulation in Keokuk and adjoining counties.

The business continued until the early 1930's. The stock was auctioned off, and the general store was no more. The post office was moved into the building with the grandson of J.F. White as the postmaster. He was also named J.F. White.