[p. 501] one of the most prominent funeral directors of New Castle, Pa., has been a resident of the city for a period of thirty-three years and is widely known among the citizens of Lawrence County. He was born in Slippery Rock Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, in 1850, is a son of James B. White, and grandson of James White, who was one of the pioneer settlers of the county.
James B. White, father of R. C. G. White, was born in Perry Township, Lawrence County, in 1823, and throughout his active life followed the trade of blacksmith.
R. C. G. White was reared and educated in Slippery Rock Township, and in early life learned the trade of a harness maker and saddler in Harlansburg, after which he worked at his trade several years in New Castle, and then for two years at Grove City. He disposed of his establishment in the latter place because of poor health and went into the woods, working at coaling some two years. He then became a grocer and an extensive dealer in produce, following that business some ten or twelve years with unqualified success. At the end of that time he sold out and assumed charge of the office work in the establishment of J. J. Dean, wholesale grocer. He was elected treasurer of Lawrence County, and efficiently discharged the duties of that office one term, after which he embarked in the furniture and undertaking business as a member of the firm of Offutt, White & Company. At the end of five years, he sold out his interest to his partner and engaged in the undertaking business for himself. He has continued ever since, and has one of the largest and best paying establishments in that line in Lawrence County. He is a man of enterprise and spirit and has the highest esteem and confidence of his fellow men. He has always been deeply interested in matters pertaining to education, and is serving his ninth year as a member of the School Board, and has been president of that body four years, and is also chairman of the Building Committee.
Mr. White was first married in 1872 to Miss Mary J. Dean, who died leaving one daughter, Bertha, who is the wife of Homer Lamson of East Liverpool, Ohio. His second union, in 1881, was with Miss Margaret Colnot, by whom he has two children: J. Russell, who is connected with the auditing department of the Standard Car Works of Butler, Pennsylvania, and Ralph, who is a student in the High School at New Castle.
Mr. White is a member and secretary of Lodge of the Craft No. 433, F. & A. M., of which he is also Past Master. He is a member of the Delta Chapter No. 170, R. A. M., of Hiram Council R. & S. M., and of New Castle Lodge of Perfection, A. A. S. R. He is Past Commander of Lawrence Commandery, No. 62 Knights Templar; Recorder of the Commandery; a member of Syria Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Pittsburg; of Shenango Lodge No. 195 and Encampment No. 86, I. O. O. F., and is Past Grand, Past Chief Patriarch and Past Chancellor of the Knights of Pythias. He is also a member of the New Castle Club. He is one of the most active members of the Western Pennsylvania Undertakers' Association, serving as a member of the executive committee, and also belongs to the State Undertakers' Association. Religiously, he is a member of the First Christian church, and for a great many years has been on its official board.
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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Updated: 30 Oct 2001