Читать книгу History of Westchester County, New York, Volume 3 - Группа авторов - Страница 74

The proprietor of Echo Farm is the popular, genial and obliging collector for Harrison township, Westchester county. Though Mr. White is one of the youngest of the county officials, none are more thorough, prompt and faithful in the discharge of their manifold duties, and he is second to none in his desire to see the best interests of his fellow citizens maintained. He is now serving his second term in this position, and it is needless to say that he is meeting the requirements of the office with credit to himself and friends, for this is a fact generally known.

Mr. White comes from a good old Irish family who have been noted for patriotism to native and adopted countries. His father, Thomas White, was born in the beautiful Emerald Isle, in the city of Dublin, within the same year in which Queen Victoria's useful and eventful life began. Mr. White grew to manhood in his native land, and when the dreadful famine of 1849 came on he decided to come to America to make a home for himself and family. He was a poor man, and at first, as he had no friends nor influence, in the United States, he took whatever employment came to hand, whereby he might earn his honest daily bread. His first wages were but four dollars a month and his board, but he soon was better paid and he persevered until he became, in time, prosperous, as he certainly deserved to be. He bought a farm in this county and is still living here, engaged in agricultural pursuits. His wife, whom he married in Ireland, was likewise a native of Dublin. She has been a loyal helpmate and is still living to share her husband's joys and sorrows. They were the parents of six children, namely: Thomas, of Rye township; Jennie, who died in 1882; Katie, wife of Thomas Knisley; Julia, wife of J. E. Johnson, of New York city; Michael, subject of this sketch; and John, of Rye township.

The birth of Michael H. White took place in Westchester county, January 10, 1866. The farm which he cultivates is a valuable one, comprising forty acres of land situated three miles from Port Chester. The land is especially suitable for dairying, and, as the adjacent city markets furnish good points for shipment of all dairy products, Mr. White decided a few years ago to embark in the business. This move on his part was a fortunate one for him and he has reaped a goodly harvest of golden shekels each year since he embarked in the enterprise. He leases other farms and keeps a large number of high-grade cows. Though he started business on a small scale he has gradually increased it and is constantly branching out, with a view to greater things in the future. All of the products of the Echo Farm Dairy find a ready sale, the name being a guaranty of purity and excellence of material and preparation. At the present time Mr. White owns twenty-six cows, and, had he twice the number, could easily find customers for all the milk, butter and cream he placed on sale.

Since he became a voter Mr. White has been an earnest adherent to the platform of the Democratic party, and has done effective work in its behalf. He takes great interest in educational matters and in the condition of the roads and, in short, in all things which materially affect the comfort and convenience of the public at large in this county. He received a good education and is thoroughly posted in current events and the general news of the day. He takes the leading newspapers and in general information aims to keep abreast of the times. His many sterling qualities of character have brought to him the friendship and genuine esteem of all with whom he has had business or social relations.