Frank E. Whiteside
For many years an instructor of youth in Fayette county, Ohio, and the present postmaster of Bloomingburg, Frank E. Whiteside has made his influence for good apparent in the lives of many of the younger generation throughout the county and has long been regarded as a public-spirited citizen whose influence could be counted on for whatever venture had as its ultimate object the betterment of the moral, social or educational status of the community.
Frank E. Whiteside is a native son of the old Buckeye state, having been born in Madison county, near Mount Sterling, on August 21. 1876, the son of James and Catherine (Quay) Whiteside. James was also a native of this state, born in Pickaway county near Darbyville, where he received his education and grew to maturity. He has always followed the vocation of farming, prospering therein and becoming a considerable land owner, He at one time owned a farm of one hundred and fifty acres in Paint township, this county, which he has disposed of and now livess in quiet retirement in Bloomingburg. Special honor is due James Whiteside in that he was one of those loyal sons of the Union who went to the front during the dark days of the Civil War and was one of that victorious army which preserved the integrity of the nation. He enlisted for service in August, 1862. with a number of other men in and about Circleville, becoming a private in Company A, One Hundred and Fourteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was immediately marched to the front, where his regiment saw three years of service. A peculiar incident is that he was wounded on the last day of his service, having been in many engagements previously without receiving a single scratch. After receiving his honorable discharge, he returned to Fayette county, being employed by the month in work on various farms. In 1866 he was united in marriage with Catherine Quay, their union being blessed with seven children, Allen, John, James, Creighton, Clara. Frank E.. the immediate subject of this sketch, and Charles.
Frank E. Whiteside received his elementary education in the schools of Paint township, near his home, first entering in 1883. After advancing as far in his studies as was at that time possible in that neighborhood, he attended high school in Bloomingburg for two years. He received his higher education and special training in teaching at the Ohio Northern University, at Ada. and the Wooster University. After completing his studies in these various halls of learning, he was well equipped for imparting instruction to the young and for thirteen years was connected with various schools of Fayette county. He served two terms, or six years, as school examiner of his county. The successful school teacher needs to possess far more than merely a good education. There must be a full understanding and sympathy with youth and its various problems. a natural leadership and a never failing, but unostentatious, intluence in the direction of high and worthy motives. The influence of such a teacher is far-reaching in its effects and he can point with pride to useful young lives which have developed under his care and tutelage. The esteem in which Mr. Whiteside is held throughout the county marks him as one who has done well in his chosen vocation. On January 16, 1911, Mr. Whiteside received from President Taft the appointment to the postmastership of Bloomingburg and is retaining same under the rules of the civil service commission.
On April 27, 1910, Mr. Wliiteside was united in marriage with Inez Pinkerton. daughter of H. A. and Mary E. (Rodgers) Pinkerton. being their only child. H. A. Pinkerton was born and raised in Paint township, receiving his education in this locality and has the enviable record of having taught school for thirty-five consecutive years. To Mr. and Mrs. Whiteside has been born one child. Margaret Eloise, who is now two years old and a promising little daughter. Mr. Whiteside's fraternal affiliations are with the time-honored body of Free and Accepted Masons and both he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star, the woman's auxiliary of Masonry. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. While not directly associated with any particular church, both Mr. and Mrs. Whiteside are interested in the work of all and give such assistance as they find possible. He is a man of genial temperament who makes friends readily, his relations with his acquaintances being of a most congenial order. He is well known all over Fayette county and enjoys a well-deserved popularity among his fellow citizens.
From History of Fayette County Ohio - Her People, Industries and Institutions by Frank M. Allen (1914, R. F. Bowen & Company, Inc.)