My Genealogy Hound

DAVID WHITE. Among the numerous manufacturers in Easton is this gentleman, who has been for several years conducting a plant which during the busy season affords employment to twenty-three or more persons. This factory, which is located at what is known as “Hay’s Place,” is utilized for the manufacture of shirts and overalls, which find a ready sale, not only in the local towns, but in the surrounding country.

The parents of our subject were William J. and Eleanor J. (Hoey) White, who were of Scotch-Irish descent. The father of the former, whose Christian name was David, was a native of Scotland, but for a few years resided in County Antrim, Ireland. Later in life he set sail for America, and became a resident of Canada. He had two children, William J. and David. The former, our subject’s father, was born in County Antrim, and there engaged in farming. After his marriage, or about 1846, he came to the United States with his wife and two children. The voyage consumed fourteen weeks, as the trip was one of adventure, many storms being encountered, which greatly retarded their course. The family located at Newburg, N. Y., on the Hudson River, and there continued to make their home for many years. Subsequently William J. White located in Easton, where he turned his attention to soap manufacture. To himself and wife were born ten children, whose names are as follows: Mrs. Mary A. McKee, Mrs. Maggie Rumsey, Mrs. Ellen J. Lugor, David, William John (deceased), James T., Rebecca (deceased), Mrs. Fannie Johnston, John F. and Mrs. Elizabeth Brewster. William J. White was affiliated with the Republican party, and in his religious belief was a Presbyterian.

David White, whose name heads this article, was born February 25, 1852, at Newburg, N. Y. In that picturesque little city his early years were passed, his time being spent in acquiring an education in the public schools. When sixteen years of age he entered a store in Newburg as clerk, and served in that capacity and for the same employer for the period of five years. Afterward he clerked for a firm at Flushing, L. I. In 1870 he came to Easton, where he launched into the produce business, being employed by Joseph F. Crater, with whom he remained for six years. For a similar length of time he was a traveling salesman for the wholesale dry-goods firm of Jacob Hay & Son. We next find him traveling for Samuel S. Lesher, a shirt manufacturer of this city. After a year spent on the road selling that gentleman’s goods, Mr. White, in 1887, became a partner in the business. The firm name was changed to the Standard Manufacturing Company. Three years followed in which they built up a good trade, and everything gave promise of larger opportunities. Mr. Lesher died in 1890, and our subject soon afterward started in business for himself, as a manufacturer of shirts and overalls. In 1892 the business was removed to its present location, and year by year the merits of the work turned out by this factory are becoming known.

Socially Mr. White is a member of the Heptasophs. He has been a member of the Select Council of Easton, and has taken much interest in the success of the Republican party, to which he adheres. A man of upright and sterling principles, he gives of his means to worthy enterprises and is a member of the First Presbyterian Church.

August 15, 1871, Mr. White married Miss Izora Yates, daughter of Philip M. Mettler, of this city. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. White. Two died in infancy, but the others are still living at home. In the order of their birth they are as follows: Edith A., Anna B., Zoe May, Margaret Boyer, Kathlene B. and Francis J. David C. and Elizabeth V. died in infancy.