Читать книгу History of Westchester County, New York, Volume 3 - Группа авторов - Страница 28

To a student of human nature there is nothing of greater interest than to examine the life of a self-made man and analyze the principles that he has followed, the methods he has pursued; to know what means he has employed for advancement, and to study the plans which have given him prominence, enabling him to pass on the highway of life many who have had a more advantageous start. Through his own efforts Mr. White has attained to a position of prominence in business circles, and he is to-day a leading merchant and undertaker of Croton, New York.

He was born in that place, November 23, 1851, and is a son of Patrick and Margaret (Cartigan) White, both natives of Ireland, the former born in Queens county, the latter in county Kilkenny. When young they crossed the Atlantic, and their marriage was celebrated in New York city. On coming to Westchester county they located on the sand flat below the old Croton dam, and when the dam gave way they lost all their property and barely escaped with their lives. The father, who was a laborer, died in the prime of life, at about the age of forty-seven years. In his family were nine children, of whom four are now deceased. In order of birth they are as follows: William, who was foreman in the brickyard at Virplanks, and is now deceased; Charles, a boatsman, deceased; Mary Ann; John, deceased, who was for many years captain of engine No. 12, fire department, New York city; Catherine; Margaret; Thomas, a grocer of Peekskill, New York; Edward; and Elizabeth, who is deceased.

At the early age of nine years Edward White began earning his own livelihood as an employee in a brick-yard, and he continued to follow that occupation until he attained his majority, during which time he saved his money and assisted in caring for his aged mother. At the age of seventeen he decided to embark in business on his own account, in connection with his brother Thomas, and at the end of two years they had saved from their earnings six hundred dollars, after having paid off an indebtedness of one hundred and seventy-five dollars. With this capital they started in business, spending five hundred dollars for a stock of groceries and liquors, and in this way the present mercantile establishment of our subjects was founded. At the end of about four years they dissolved partnership and Edward has since been alone. He has a good general store, well stocked with a high class of goods, and since 1884 has also been interested in the undertaking business, doing the only business in that line in the village. At SingSing he also established a business similar to his own in Croton, and in partnership with John Dorsey the store is conducted under the firm style of White & Dorsey.

Mr. White has since twice married, his first wife being Miss Mary Ann Vaughey, and she and the three children born to them all died within a few months. His second union was with Miss Elizabeth Donovan, by whom he has had four children, Maggie, Mamie and Catharine, all living, and one deceased. Mr. and Mrs. White are communicants of the Roman Catholic church, but Mr. White gives liberally of his means to the support of all churches, and his aid is never withheld from any enterprise which he believes will prove of good to the community. He is a public-spirited, progressive citizen, broad-minded and liberal in his views, and has the confidence and esteem of all who know him. The Democratic party has always found in him a stanch supporter of its principles, and he has been an influential delegate to its various county conventions, and has also been a member of the town committee for years. For five or six years he filled the office of overseer of the poor, and is now president of the board of fire commissioners.