Capt. J.J. White’s sawmill, which he built on the outskirts of McComb in 1873, was only the beginning of the pioneering businessman’s early efforts toward the development of the young city.
He was also involved in railroads, banking and community affairs in general. J.J. White Memorial Presbyterian Church was built in his honor.
Thursday at the McComb Railroad Depot Museum, White’s life and achievements were celebrated in a ceremony organized by the museum’s directors.
More than a dozen of Capt. White’s descendants and their family members were joined by about 40 guests to hear remarks by Dr. Robert H. Brumfield Jr., a distinguished Los Angeles physician who grew up in McComb. Brumfield is a great-grandson of J.J. White.
He reminisced about his childhood in McComb and visiting the historic homes of his relatives.
At one point a member of the audience asked Brumfield if he knew anything about Will White, one of Capt. White’s lesser-known progeny.
The questioner said she had heard that Will had seven wives, to which Brumfield replied with a grin, “J.J. was a devout Presbyterian.”
Brumfield noted with a chuckle that his famous forebear passed away in 1912, the year before the federal income tax began, though Brumfield did not draw a direct connection between the two events.
During the gathering Winnie Len Howell of the museum also presented plaques to several people for their good works.
Jerry Malone was named Volunteer of the Year and Delton Moak, James Earl White and Bobby Bellipani received the Beyond the Call of Duty Award for their efforts on the restoration of rail cars.
