Source: Partridge, B. F. American Biographical History of Eminent & Self-Made Men:
Michigan Volume. Cincinnati: Western Biographical Publishing Company, 1878: 131.
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.