Butte County
Biographies
HARRY D. WHITE
HARRY D. WHITE. A worth representative of western energy and progress is found in Harry D. White, formerly a meat merchant, but who, in April, 1903, was elected marshal of Chico, for a term of four years. He is proving a highly efficient officer, discharging his duties conscientiously and intelligently with the aid of three capable assistants. Back of his natural determination the marshal has a thorough knowledge of human nature, and high ideals as to what constitutes practical and helpful citizenship. For many years he has shown market interest in Republican politics, and has held several other offices under local Republican administrations.
Mr. White is one of the many residents of this town who owe their first impressions of work and life to Illinois. He was born there in Bureau county, December 25, 1859, a son of Edmund P. and Alameda L. (Hallam) White, natives of New York and Illinois respectively. Edmund P. White was a pioneer of Bureau county, as was also his father-in-law, J. J. Hallam, the latter having been born in Ohio. Mr. White learned the tinsmith’s trade in early life, and for many years applied the same in Princeton, Bureau county. He was a capable workman and had considerable ambition, which progressiveness found vent in the spring of 1863, when he outfitted with teams and wagons, and with his wife and children, and the family of J. J. Hallam, started across the plains. In Chico he started a tinshop which brought him a large trade, and at the same time he operated a ranch at Bay Meadows, of which he was part owner. In 1870 he returned to his native state of New York, and in 1876 came west to Nevada, where, at Cornucopia, he engaged in silver milling, an occupation in which he was well schooled. In fact he had a wide knowledge of this department of mining, and as an amalgamator had few superiors in the west. Mr. White gave up mining in 1882 and came to Chico, but in 1884, located on a farm near Redding, Shasta county, where he died at an advanced age. Besides Harry D., his only son, he had two daughters. In the meantime his fellow traveler on the plains, Mr. Hallam, engaged in extensive stock operations near Chico, accumulated a large fortune, and attained to considerable prominence. He invested in farm and town property, and increased the appearance and business of the town by erecting the Hallam house. His death occurred in Chico.
Mr. White appreciated the value of a good education, and gave his children as excellent opportunities in this direction as his resources permitted. Harry D. took naturally to study, and graduated at the high school, later qualifying for admission to Columbia College, and successfully passed the examination. Instead of entering college, however, he accompanied the family to California, and after apprenticing to a butcher and learning his trade, followed the same in Tuscarora, Nev., from 1876 until 1882. From the latter year until 1902 he engaged in a butchering business in Chico, giving up the same to assume the duties of his present office of marshal.
In Kansas Mr. White was united in marriage with Nellie M. Morse, a native of Michigan and they have three children, Mabel, Maria and Lewis. Fraternally he is prominent and active, being identified with the Blue Lodge, F. & A.M., of Chico, the Chapter, Shrine of Islam and the Commandery, also with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Ancient Order of Union Workmen. Mr. White is an agreeable man, loyal to his friends, and to whatever trust is imposed in him. He is able to secure the best possible service from his assistants, impressing them with his own regard of the public welfare.
History of the State of California and Biographical Record of the Sacramento Valley, California; by J.M. Guinn, The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago (1906), page 620
Transcribed by Betty Wilson