John E. Whitman (March 19, 1877 to June 1, 1966) was born in Cleburne County, Alabama. He married Frances Ann Nancy "Fannie" Jones on December 29, 1901.

Whitman was a tenant farmer, country storekeeper, shape note community singer, Justice of the Peace, and his community's amateur photographer. It is noted that Whitman never owned property, which illustrates his character and his story. As a Justice of the Peace, he kept law books in his library table, and settled many disputes. Many couples would find him working in the fields and were married by him there in the rows of cotton or corn. As storekeeper, he supplied many poorer families out of his own pocket. Whitman also developed his own photographs and prints in his house with his wife Fannie as his assistant.

Often Whitman and his camera were summoned to record local events: school and church functions, reunions, club meetings, weddings, death, etc. Once he received word to bring his camera to record a particularly tragic event; two brothers had quarreled and the outcome of the two plus a third brother who had tried to intervene, were dead. Even the mule on which one was riding had been killed in the melee. Upon Whitman's arrival the Benefield brothers were laid out on boards, leaning up against the house for the picture.

Whitman and his wife lived in the communities of Ranburne and Macedonia in Alabama.