[p. 1010] one of New Castle's older and most respected citizens, now residing in his comfortable home at No. 312 Wilmington Avenue, has been a witness of the wonderful changes which have made the village in which he was born one of the industrial centers of Western Pennsylvania. Mr. White was born December 29, 1820, on Jefferson Street, New Castle, Pa., and is a son of Crawford and Elizabeth (Dunlap) White.
The parents of Mr. White were both born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. Crawford White first came to what is now Lawrence County in 1803, and after selecting a location for his home returned to Cumberland County and there was married to Elizabeth Dunlap, an earnest, helpful woman, and then returned with his bride to what is now New Castle. He became one of the leading men of the place, the first postmaster, the pioneer woolen manufacturer, built the first sawmill, the first grist mill and established the first brickyard. His energy was all pervading and to his ability, his enterprise and public spirit New Castle owes much. In fact, he was the father of her earliest industries. He found time, however, to go to the defense of his country, serving with gallantry in the War of 1812-14 and participating in the battle of Lake Erie. In this same war his brother was taken prisoner and detained in Canada, his many experiences being later told in an interesting pamphlet that had a wide circulation. Crawford White had been liberally educated and was well qualified to give the advice his fellow citizens so frequently asked of him and to settle estates and adjust differences that were sure to arise before and even after local laws had been established. He died in 1832 and his loss was one that his community could ill afford. Joseph S. White was twelve years old at this time and was the youngest of a family of five children, all of whom became more or less prominent in the circles to which their circumstances called them. There were two brothers—James D. and John Crawford—and two sisters—Amanda, who became the wife of Dr. Miller Blatchley; and Elizabeth Ann, who married R. W. Stewart.
James D. White, the eldest brother of Joseph S., was one of the prominent men of New Castle, and after the death of his father possessed the largest business interests of any other citizen. He started the first rolling mill at New Castle and had interests at New York, Philadelphia, Cincinnati and in other large centers. He survived only into middle age, dying when about forty-five years old in the West India Islands. He was a man of education and culture and a graduate of Jefferson College.
John Crawford White, the fourth child of Crawford White, was possessed of the family characteristics, and had he survived into mature life would probably also have left his mark on his generation. He was a brilliant student of Jefferson College at the time of his death, which occurred in Cumberland County.
In many ways Joseph S. White enjoyed superior advantages in his youth. The White home in those days was one of great hospitality and the youth was accustomed to the presence of leading citizens and of strangers of importance who naturally consulted his father before investing or starting new enterprises. Their presence was something of an education even before Joseph was old enough to enter Jefferson College, which he did at a later date. Mr. White's talents have been in the line of literature, although he has never permitted his choice of occupation to interfere with the practical duties which have demanded his close attention through many years, especially when it became necessary for him to manage the large interests left by his father and older brother. He has always had his home at New Castle, but has managed both farming and lumbering enterprises with much success, in the latter being associated with Dr. Joseph Pollock, his father-in-law.
On December 1, 1841, Mr. White was married to Adaline Pollock, who, after a happy married life of sixty-six years, passed away July 7, 1907, after seeing her eighty-third birthday. To this union were born nine children, namely: Alice, who is the wife of George Grier; Eva, who is the wife of Eli C. McClintock; John Crawford, who resides at New Castle; Carrie, who married Eugene S. Willard, of Chicago, Ill.; Joseph Pollock, who resides at Knoxville, Tenn.; Arthur B. M., who died in young manhood; Frederick Ferris, who lives at Bangor, Me.; Ada, who died in early womanhood; and May Belle.
Mr. and Mrs. White were early interested in the founding of the Central Presbyterian Church, of which he is one of the three surviving charter members. As long as she lived she was active in its work, as she was also helpful in every field of usefulness that came within the circle of her life. Mr. White has always taken part in the celebrations of the Old Times Pioneers at New Castle, and on August 20, 1908, as a member of the reception committee, he heartily welcomed the visitors, himself being one of the most esteemed members present. Many are familiar with Mr. White's poetry and other contributions, which for a half century have added interest to the magazine literature of the country.
20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
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