Various Homes of the Family

It was the Whites’ practice to own their own home. She felt that this was a wise policy. Thus at different times they owned modest properties in Battle Creek, Michigan, and Healdsburg and Oakland, California. Later, after James White’s death, Mrs. White owned homes at Avondale in Australia, and at St. Helena, California. The buildings were well kept, and the grounds were improved. True Christianity, she felt, was reflected in the home and the premises. She enjoyed having the neighbors call on her, and in turn she would often drop in to visit with them.EGWMR 108.5

She took special pleasure in her Elmshaven home near St. Helena, where she resided the last fifteen years of her life. The house, located on a little knoll, was well built. Surrounding it were orchard, vineyard, garden, hayfield, and pasture. In the distance on all sides were the wooded hills, and from the hillside at the north the St. Helena Sanitarium looked down upon her place. Not long after this property was acquired, she sent to Australia for Brother Iram James to come and take charge of the farm. His family was soon comfortably located in a little cottage to the east. Across the creek to the southeast was a piece of wooded land and a garden spot which she gave to her son W. C. White, and he built a house and settled his family there, about five minutes’ walk from her home. To the south were two cottages. These were occupied by the families of her office workers, and a little later another house for a secretary was built not far away to the north. Another small cottage close to her home housed still another family of helpers.EGWMR 108.6

It was with satisfaction that she thought of these families about her. She frequently called at their homes, and often went beyond to other neighbors in the valley. These visits brought relaxation to her, and they left cherished memories in the minds of those upon whom she called.EGWMR 108.7