One place to start telling
the story of the White School in the Town of Verona, Wisconsin, begins in 1599,
over 415 years ago, when Thomas White was born in a place called Tickelford, England. He w
as the patriarch of this particular White family
in America. He arrived at Plymouth, MA in 1625 just four years after the Pilgrims. Five
generations later his direct descendent Stephen White Sr., after serving fifteen
months with the Continental Army, fought in the Battle of Yorktown when General
Cornwallis surrendered to General Washington. Stephen’s son Stephen Jr.
enlisted and fought in the War of 1812. His son Warren White enlisted and
served as a bugler in the 2nd WI Calvary Regiment until he was disabled and
discharged. Stephen Jr. his wife Mary and their son Warren are all buried in
the Verona Cemetery. Just think that’s son, father and grandfather who
felt it was their duty and volunteered to serve in three major wars. I cannot
help but wonder if there were any other families with that distinction.
There is abundant evidence to support the fact that Thomas White, who was called Captain White, was born in 1599. Some researchers trace his ancestry all the way back to Walter de Whyte who was born in 1215 in England. Other researchers continue the search to Geraldo Gherandini who was born in 980 in Italy. If this additional information ever becomes conclusive, my great grand daughter Phoebe Magnolia Rogers would be a 33rd generation descendent of Geraldo, a total of 1034 years, as of 2014. It should be noted that tracing ancestry involves discovering discrepancies as well as factual data. That’s why genealogy is such a fascinating avocation.
But, let’s go back to Stephen White Jr. and his wife Mary who had thirteen children when having large families was not that uncommon. There is some evidence that indicates their son Brayton, who was also known as Peter, arrived in Verona in 1841 and married a Jessie Black, however it is not conclusive. Their son Addison did arrive in Middleton shortly after and then settled in the northwest corner of the Town of Verona. A short time later Solomon decided to join his brother and they acquired adjoining farms on which today, the Goodman foundation has built a large swimming pool and community campus area (The Goodman Jewish Community Campus). Then later in 1849 Stephen Jr. and other members of the family arrived. According to Ancestry.com over 800 individuals are researching this remarkable family.
When these New Englanders left Fitzwilliam, NH, a very picturesque little colonial village, with untold numbers of granite boulders, and arrived at Nine Mound Prairie, they must have been amazed at the fertile, black prairie soil. Their journey in wagons pulled by oxen is best described in a marvelous narrative written by their sister Martha.
In the history of Verona, a mere five years after John Stewart and James Young arrived; a log schoolhouse was built on the west side of the Sugar River. After deciding it was not in the right place a second one was built on county land that became the Dane County Poor Farm. Once again it was decided to abandon the location. To determine how long they operated, who attended and who did the teaching would be an interesting project. By now Addison White had built a comfortable farm house and his sister Marietta taught school there in 1848/1849. Addison’s family was growing and the inconvenience of a school room led to a meeting on April 20th 1850 to organize the first school district. Addison was elected to head the school board and a decision was made to build a school house for $160.00 on a site Addison donated. The site was located on a road that later became County Trunk PD and just before it intersected with what became Timber Lane. It was about four miles northwest of the little community, called at that time, Verona Corners. The district was named the White School District and the building the White School.
With all that as a background, I’m sure there
are many colorful and lovely stories surrounding
this beautiful little one room schoolhouse that operated in the same location
for almost one hundred years. What wonderful memories all the various teachers
and students must have? As we reminisce let us not forget, we are indebted to
the Goodman Jewish Community Campus that currently maintains the site. Is it
possible, consideration should be given to recognizing the site for its
historical significance?
Ed Faber - February, 2014
 | ||
| Stephen White Sr. |
There is abundant evidence to support the fact that Thomas White, who was called Captain White, was born in 1599. Some researchers trace his ancestry all the way back to Walter de Whyte who was born in 1215 in England. Other researchers continue the search to Geraldo Gherandini who was born in 980 in Italy. If this additional information ever becomes conclusive, my great grand daughter Phoebe Magnolia Rogers would be a 33rd generation descendent of Geraldo, a total of 1034 years, as of 2014. It should be noted that tracing ancestry involves discovering discrepancies as well as factual data. That’s why genealogy is such a fascinating avocation.
But, let’s go back to Stephen White Jr. and his wife Mary who had thirteen children when having large families was not that uncommon. There is some evidence that indicates their son Brayton, who was also known as Peter, arrived in Verona in 1841 and married a Jessie Black, however it is not conclusive. Their son Addison did arrive in Middleton shortly after and then settled in the northwest corner of the Town of Verona. A short time later Solomon decided to join his brother and they acquired adjoining farms on which today, the Goodman foundation has built a large swimming pool and community campus area (The Goodman Jewish Community Campus). Then later in 1849 Stephen Jr. and other members of the family arrived. According to Ancestry.com over 800 individuals are researching this remarkable family.
When these New Englanders left Fitzwilliam, NH, a very picturesque little colonial village, with untold numbers of granite boulders, and arrived at Nine Mound Prairie, they must have been amazed at the fertile, black prairie soil. Their journey in wagons pulled by oxen is best described in a marvelous narrative written by their sister Martha.
In the history of Verona, a mere five years after John Stewart and James Young arrived; a log schoolhouse was built on the west side of the Sugar River. After deciding it was not in the right place a second one was built on county land that became the Dane County Poor Farm. Once again it was decided to abandon the location. To determine how long they operated, who attended and who did the teaching would be an interesting project. By now Addison White had built a comfortable farm house and his sister Marietta taught school there in 1848/1849. Addison’s family was growing and the inconvenience of a school room led to a meeting on April 20th 1850 to organize the first school district. Addison was elected to head the school board and a decision was made to build a school house for $160.00 on a site Addison donated. The site was located on a road that later became County Trunk PD and just before it intersected with what became Timber Lane. It was about four miles northwest of the little community, called at that time, Verona Corners. The district was named the White School District and the building the White School.
With all that as a background, I’m sure there
 |
| Ed Faber |
Ed Faber - February, 2014
