WHITE-George H. - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

George H. WHITE, as merchant, lumberman, manufacturer and dealer in real estate was prominently active among the businessmen of Grand Rapids during some 46 years. He was born at Dresden, Yates County, NY Sept 9, 1822; a son of Joseph and Lucy Rowley White, who were born near Watkins by the head of Seneca Lake. He was the eldest of 5 children, but one of whom William B. White of this city - is now living. George in his childhood attended the schools of his native town, and at 13 went with his grandfather, Ezra Rowley to Fountain County, Indiana wehre he worked a year on a farm. In 1836 he entered a store as a clerk, and in the following year went to Covington, the county seat where he was also engaged as a clerk until 1842 in which year he came to Grand Rapids, arriving May 2, entered the store of A and GB Rathbone, and remained there two years. Afterward he operated for many years as a partner with Amos Rathbone in mercantile and the lumber trade, conducting, meantime for some 5 years a store at Rockford, Kent County. In 1863, and for two or thre eyears, he was engaged in themanufacture of lumber on Rouge River, Grand Rapids, in connection with William T. Powers, doing a successful business. In 1865 with Amos Rathbone and others interested under the firm name of George White & Company he purchased the 'old plaster mill" property, and in connection with it a large tract of land; and there for upward of 20 years he with others carried on a heavy and profitable business in themanufacture and sale of land and calcined plaster. With Amos Rathbone he build 9 brick stores on Monroe between Ionia and Division Streets; also in 1873-74 1/3 of the Aldrich, White and Godfrey Block, the fine 4-store stone building in which are now the Grand Rapids National Bank and several large stores at the corner of Monroe & Ottawa Streets. He also dealt much in real estate being one of the owners of Godfrey & White's city addition. He was a stockholder in the Grand Rapids & Indiana RR was chosen one of its Directors in 1867 and was also a member of the Continental Improvement Company through whose efforts that railroa was completed to Ft. Wayne to Petoskey. He was a charter member of the 11th lodge organized in MI of Independent order of Odd Fellows, which he joined in 1848 from 1861 a member of the fraternity of Freemasons; also a Knight of Pythias. In religious views Mr. White was inclued to the Universalist Faith; through his family were regular attendants at St. Mark's church. Politically, he was a Whig while the Whig party existed; afterward through life a Democrat. December 12, 1853, he married at Rockford, Michigan Sarah A. Hetfield of Covington IN who survives him. To them were born two daughtesr, now Mrs. CB Judd and Hattie H. White. Mr. White held and creditably filled several official positions of turst and responsibility; Register of Deeds in 1844-45; Supervisor of Algoma in 1855; Mayor of Grand Rapids in 1861-62 two terms and Representative in the State Legislature for the term 1863-64. From early youth Mr. White was dependent upon his own exertions. As a business man he was energetic and enterprising; working his way to a handsome competenc ein life and at the same aiding prominently in the progress and improvement of Grand Rapids. In social contact he was genial and accomodating, and as a citizen public-spirite - one who has left an abiding impression upon the town and community in which he lived. He died Sept 10, 1888 at his home in Grand Rapids.

White, Hon. George H., Grand Rapids, Michigan was born at Dresden, Yates County, NY Sept 9, 1822. His father, Joseph White, a mechanic and farmer and his mother, Lucy (Rowley) White, born near Watkins, at the head of Seneca Lake, were the parents of 5 children. But two, William B. and the oldest son, George H. White are now living. Mr. White attended the schools of his native town until he reached his 13th year when he went with his grandfather, Ezra Rowley to Fountain County, Indiana. There he worked on eyear on his grandfather's farm; and, in 1836, entered as junior clerk a store at Portland, in the same county. A year later, he went to Covington, the county seat and was a clerk there until 1842 when he removed to Grand Rapids, Michigan. He arrived on the 2nd of May and at once obtained a position in the store of A. & G.B. Rathbun, where he remained till 1844. In that year, he was elected Register of Deeds for Kent County and held the office performing its duties satisfactorily for two years. While thus engaged, he was also a silent partner of Amos Rathbun, in the dry-good trade. Subsequently, having engaged, with his partner, in the lumber business, he conducted a store for 5 years at Rockford, Kent County, a village about 12 miles from Grant Rapids. He then returned to Grand Rapids, but, until 1865, did not dispose of his interests at Rockford, nor sever his connection with Mr. Rathbun. Soon after his return, he officiated one tern on the Board of Supervisors of Kent County. In the spring of 1861, he was made Mayor of the city and reelected in 1862. In the fall of the same year, he was chosen Representative for the Grand Rapids District to the State Legislature, and served two years. In 1863, in connection with William T. Powers, he engaged in the manufacdture of lumber at Rouge River and Grand Rapids. For 3 years they did a successful business and then dissolved the partnership. In 1865, Mr. White, with Amos Rathbun and Alfred D. Rathbone, under the firm name of George H. White & Co, purchased what is known as the "Old Plaster Mill," and in connection with it, 425 acres of land. This mill is located near the southern limits of Grand Rapids and was the first of the kind ever erected in the state. It is used for crusing and grinding the well-known Grand Rapids gypsum; which, when ground, is a valuable fertilizer of clay and sandy soils. Mr. White is a stockholder in the Grand Rapids & Indiana RR Company and, having been elected one of its Directors in 1867, has devoted much of his time to its interests. He also became a member of the Continental Improvement Company, through whose efforts the road was completed from Ft. Wayne, Indiana to Little Traverse Bay in Northern Michigan. In partnership with Amos Rathbun, he built, in the city of Grand Rapids, 9 stores on Monroe Street and in 1874, 1/3 of the Aldrich, Godrey & White block, on the same street. This is one of the finest buildings in the city, being 122' front by 112' deep and four stories high above the basement. The walls of the basement are built of stone and the apartments are finished as well as those above, in the best style for business offices. Mr. White is also a large dealer in real esate and one of the owners of Godfrey & White's addition in the southern part of the city. Mr. White has been a member of the Masonic Fraternity since 1861. He has been an Odd-Fellow since 1848 and is a charter-member of the 11th lodge organized in Michigan. He is also a Knight of Pythias. His religious views are literal, inclining to Universalism, but his family are regular attendants at St. Mark's Episcopal. He was a Whig until the dissolution of that party when he became a Democrat. On Dec 12, 1853, he married at Rockford, Miss Sarah A. Hetfield of Covington, Fountain County, Indiana. From this union have been born two daughters, Miss Georgiana Rathbun and Hattie Hetfield White. At all times ready to forward the public interests and those improvements by which the city of Grand Rapids has reached its prseent importance, he has performed the duties of a public-spirited citizen. The business life of Mr. White has been remarkably prosperous. As a youth he was dependent entirely upon his own exertions. With no capital but that which, by careful saving and self-denial, he acquired during his minority, he has by his intelligence and determination attained a position of independence and prominence among the self-made men of Michigan. He has risen at the expense of no man, but by treating all as he would be treated himself. While winning wealth, position and influence, at the same time he has gained the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens.