John Sr. and Lousia (Roberts) While
Images and notes from Bob Leathers
John While was born on August 3, 1856, in Netherton, Worcestershire, England, his father, Henry, was 34 and his mother, Sarah, was 32. He married Louisa Hadley on October 26, 1891, in his hometown. They had eight children in 14 years. He died on October 21, 1934, in Hanna, Wyoming, at the age of 78, and was buried in the Hanna cemetery.
Louisa Hadley was born on September 26, 1864, in West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England, her father, John, was 32, and her mother, Sarah, was 30. She married John While on October 26, 1891, in Netherton, Worcestershire, England. She died on December 15, 1942, in Hanna, Wyoming, at the age of 78, and was buried in the Hanna cemetery.
John While Sr. was recruited to Carbon, Carbon County, Wyoming from the Black County in England in 1885 by his Aunt and Uncle Elizabeth and Richard Cox to work in the coal mines at Carbon. He returned to England in early 1891, married, and returned with his bride Lousia in December of 1891where they lived for the rest of their lives. All their children were born in Hanna. James, William, Joby, John Jr., John Sr. and Lousia are all buried in the Hanna Cemetery. Sarah and Robert are buried in Laramie. Edward is buried in California.
Mr. And Mrs. John While, Sr., of Hanna
LOUISA AND JOHN WHILE (WHILE FAMILY Collection from Bob Leathers)
(STANDING) JAMES, WILLIAM, JOBY, SARAH, JOHN JR. , EDWARD, (SITTING) JOHN SR., ROBERT AND LOUISA. (WHILE FAMILY Collection from Bob Leathers)
1920
John and Louisa While returned to England in 1920 and took their youngest son James "Jimmy" While with them. (BL)
1927
(Union Pacific Coal Company Employe's Magazine, December 1927)
Mr. John While, Sr.
Seventy-one years old and still known to all and sundry in the community as “Jackie” bespeaks a community’s understanding of one who is wholly a part of it. And thus, it is with Mr. Jackie While, member of the Old Timers’ Association, who was born and grew to young manhood in England. He came to the United States and has worked in Dana and Old Carbon and later in Hanna when it succeeded the now closed but not forgotten towns.
Three years after coming to America Mr. While went back to be married and to bring his bride to the New Land, returning directly to Hanna where has been his home ever since. In 1920, he returned to England with his eldest son, a trip he thoroughly enjoyed. But he missed friends who had gone from the old haunts (UPCCEM, December 1927)
1928
(WHILE FAMILY Collection from Bob Leathers)
Snowing Outside: (Back) Job While, Jessie (Tennant) While, holding Dorothy While, Bill While, Sarah (While) Cummings, holding Bobby Cummings, Bob Cummings, John While Jr., James While, Bob While, Caryle (Weinbrant) While, Edward While (Front) Elizabeth Cummings, John While Sr., Lousia (Hadley) While, Eleen Cummings, Violet While and Dog Dan (Christmas Day 1928) (While Family Collection from Bob Leathers)
Hanna Cemetery Record
While, John
Monument: "1856 - 1934; Father; Rest in Peace" Shares a stone with Louisa While.
Plot: 91
Age: 78
Note: The death of John While, Sr., on October 21, 1934, marks the passing of one of the oldest old timers in Hanna. He was born in England, August 3, 1856, and came to old Carbon the early part of 1888. Later, upon coming to Hanna, he worked in Nos. 1 and 2 mines. He also was employed at Dana. In 1891, he went back to England to visit relatives and was then married to Miss Louisa Hadley. The couple returned to Hanna the same year and resided there ever since. He leaves a widow and six sons, Job, John Jr., William H., Edward, Robert and James, one daughter, Mrs. Robert Cummings, and nine grandchildren.
Funeral Services were held at the Episcopal Church, October 24, with Dean Kraft officiating, interment in the Hanna cemetery. (UPCCEM, December 1934)
Monument: "1856 - 1934; Father; Rest in Peace" Shares a stone with Louisa While.
Plot: 91
Age: 78
Note: The death of John While, Sr., on October 21, 1934, marks the passing of one of the oldest old timers in Hanna. He was born in England, August 3, 1856, and came to old Carbon the early part of 1888. Later, upon coming to Hanna, he worked in Nos. 1 and 2 mines. He also was employed at Dana. In 1891, he went back to England to visit relatives and was then married to Miss Louisa Hadley. The couple returned to Hanna the same year and resided there ever since. He leaves a widow and six sons, Job, John Jr., William H., Edward, Robert and James, one daughter, Mrs. Robert Cummings, and nine grandchildren.
Funeral Services were held at the Episcopal Church, October 24, with Dean Kraft officiating, interment in the Hanna cemetery. (UPCCEM, December 1934)