Michael Benjamin White

From the Gardner News 5/19/2009

100 Years Ago
(From month of May, 1909)

WINCHENDON - The career of one of this town's most prominent citizens and longest residents came to a close last evening when Michael Benjamin White died at his home on Elm Street, after several months suffering from the infirmities of age.

A native of Royalston, he moved to Winchendon at the age of two, was educated here and soon became prominent in town affairs at an early age. He has been a selectman, road surveyor, overseer of the poor, assessor and a member of the board of education.

What might be considered good fortune by some, but regarded by Mr. White as dire misfortune, compelled him to be released from service for the North during the war of the Rebellion.

Only a day or so before the recruiting officer called upon Mr. White, he had fallen from the top of a high ladder extending from the barn floor to a hay mow, striking with such force as to break a collarbone.

Mr. White was a staunch prohibitionist and an attendant of the Advent Church. He had been married 57 years to Ada P. Wyman, and had four children.