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The Women of Morgan: Flaurie “Flossie” E. White – 1888 to 1961

Feb 01, 2023 01:05PM ● By Alisha Copfer

On the Francis’ Ranch, from left to right: Francis White, Warah White, Flaurie “Flossie” White, Ivie White, Deleen White, Max White and Dean White. Photo courtesy of Morgan County Historical Society

Flaurie Eliza White, then Francis, was born in Morgan City, Utah, on Sept. 7, 1888. Her mother, Sarah Jane, and father, Samuel Francis Jr., told White that “it was an awful job to get me started. I was so skinny and little that I could not wear my clothes for some time. I was wrapped in cotton batting and carried around on a pillow. I must have been a sight.” White’s troubles were due to her digestive issues, as she could not be fed naturally, so she was given bottle feedings. As such, she lost the lining of her stomach and bowels. Eventually, White grew up to a good and healthy size.

White states in her short autobiography that Morgan City was always her home. She was educated in Morgan County schools and eventually studied music at LDS College in Salt Lake City. White played the piano and took her music lessons in Richville. “I walked to Richville to take my music lessons from Mrs. Dixon,” said White. “Alice Thurston had a studio in the Morgan Hotel, now the Vallis, and it was good not to have to walk so far.” From 1906 to 1910, White gave piano lessons and played for a local dance orchestra.

“At the age of 13, I began playing in the orchestra and continued playing for dances until Sara was born,” White said. “We played for the dances from Peterson to Evanston. However, we played at Evanston only a few times; that was too far to travel by white top buggie. Finally, we went east as far as Henefer only. Henefer, Croydon, Devil’s Slide and Morgan were our final limits.”

In 1908, White married William M. White, who died only 10 years later. They had six children together, three girls and three boys. The same year as her husband’s death, 1918, White started working as the Treasurer for Morgan City. She was soon after elected as the County Clerk, Recorder and Auditor in 1920. 

White served as a member of the Utah State Democratic Central Committee. In 1935, she attended the Women’s Interstate Democratic Convention in Salt Lake City. White was also a member of the State Convention of Democratic Women. She continued to hold positions in the Democratic Party for the rest of her life and attended the state conventions for many years.

White said in her autobiography, “I am not boasting, just telling some ways I occupied my time. Idleness is the devil’s workshop. Keep busy.” White was very musical and served as an organist in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Morgan Ward for 42 years. She sang in many quartet groups and would also sing at funerals. “In 1903, I was appointed Assistant Secretary on the Primary Stake Board. On Feb. 5, 1910, I served as the Stake Chorister; I also served as a counselor on the same board and was sustained as Stake President on Sept. 25, 1927.

“I served 26 years on the Primary Stake Board. The primary work took up so much time for my duties as County Clerk and Recorder that it was advisable to be released. I was released from primary work in June 1929, and on Sept. 19, 1929, was sustained as a member of the Sunday School Stake Board. I was released from Sunday School Stake Board Oct. 26, 1947, after 17 years on the board.”

In 1939, after White’s time in public office, she opened up her own business and worked as a State Registered Abstractor. White was the only registered abstractor in the area and did that until her death. In 1944, due to White’s son’s military service in WWII, she was honored as a Gold Star Mother of WWII by the American Legion Auxiliary, of which she was a member. White passed away on July 16, 1961, after a battle with heart disease.

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