My Genealogy Hound

DANIEL H. WHITE, one of the best-known bricklayers and contractors of Norristown, was born near Hickorytown, in Plymouth township, September 5, 1862.

When he was quite young the death of his father made a change in the residence of the family necessary, and his mother removed to Norristown, where he attended the Oak street school for a number of years. He was then apprenticed to his uncle, Emanuel Sweed, to learn the trade of bricklaying. After serving at his trade three years, he worked with his uncle as journeyman to the time of Mr. Sweed’s death in 1890. He then became a partner of Thomas McGrath, as a contractor and builder. At the end of a year, the firm of McGrath & White was dissolved, and Mr. White started out on his own account and has so continued to the present time. Mr. White has built many residences and other buildings in Norristown, among them the Gresh cigar manufactory, in 1891. Later he erected the Scheetz wholesale grocery store, Scheidt’s brewery, the Norristown woolen mill, two large wards for the State Hospital for the Insane; the public school building at Penn Square, and others. Mr. White has built recently twenty-five houses for Harry A. Keeler, twenty for Ellwood Roberts, and as many more each for John H. Rex and the Hamilton Terrace Company, on West Main street, Norristown.

In politics Mr. White is a Republican and takes an active interest in his party, working for it and giving liberally of his means for its support. He has been nine years in town council, has been two years chairman of the market committee, and also of that on finance, watch, lamp, sewers, railways and accounts. He has been many times a delegate to county conventions, and has long been a member of the borough executive committee. Mr. White belongs to the Masonic Order, and is a thirty-second degree Mason; to the Odd Fellows, and to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

Thomas White (father) was bhorn in Upper Merion township, and was a stone mason by trade. At the time of his death he was living in Plymouth. He was hauling ice for Mr. Stoner, when he was thrown from the cart and killed. His children were: Harry, married Annie Kelly, and has two children; Elizabeth married Irvin Blackburn, and has two children; Daniel H., subject of this sketch; Thomas Horace, married, but has no children; Laura, married Ellis Ramsey, and has one child.

Daniel H. White married Miss Anna E. Wood, daughter of James and Eliza (Livingston) Wood. She was born in Norristown, December 23, 1859. Her father, James Wood, was born in county Tyrone, Ireland, and with his mother came to Canada, where his mother died, his father having passed away before they left Ireland. He was an only child, and was thus left an orphan of seventeen years of age. He only remained in Canada a short time, and then came to Pennsylvania, where he secured employment. He drifted to Norristown, where he has since resided. His wife, Eliza Livingston, was born in county Derry, Ireland, and came to the United States with her sister Jane, when she was sixteen years of age. They landed in Philadelphia, and soon obtained employment, and came later to Norristown.

Mr. and Mrs. Wood’s children: Catharine Jane, born June 16, 1856, died September 28, 1861; Anna Eliza, now Mrs. Daniel White.

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel H. White’s children: James Wood, born March 27, 1881, died August 17, 1881; Flora Elizabeth, born May 23, 1882; Bessie Mabel, born June 13, 1886; Howard Drake, born April 7, 1888; Anna Bella, born October 3, 1889; Charles Simon, born April 15, 1891; Milton Rae, born December 7, 1890.

Men of Mr. White’s stamp have assisted very materially in building up and developing Norristown. He is an active member of the Hancock Fire Company. Genial and affable in his bearing, he has hosts of friends, and is deservedly popular.