J. G. WHITE, [Middle Initial Also Listed as “H”] attorney, was born July 15, 1841, in what is now Grove City, to Hiram C. and Martha (Alexander) White, natives of Pine and Wolf Creek Townships, Mercer County, respectively. His mother was a daughter of James Alexander, who came from Scotland at a very early date and located on a farm in Pine Township, where he died. The children of James Alexander were: Mary, single, and now nearly ninety years old; Rebecca, married Archie McCormick, both of whom are dead; Susan, died when seventy-four years old; Margaret, married Luke Voghan; Elizabeth, married Cornelius Graham; Martha, Sarah, died young; Hamilton, died on the old place; Isabella, married William Morrison, and after his death G.W. Brandon. The father of James Alexander was in the War of 1812, and was a Democrat. John White, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Washington County, Penn., and came to this county about 1800, where he settled in Pine Township on the farm where he afterward died. His children were John, James, Samuel, George Washington, Hiram C., Henderson, Rachel, Jane and Elizabeth, all of whom are deceased except Hiram. Grandfather White was in the War of 1812, and had three brothers and one sister: Alexander, Samuel, James (a preacher in the Seceder Church) and Hannah. Our subject was educated in the common schools, at Westminster College and at Allegheny College, Meadville, Penn. He enlisted in Company I, Tenth Pennsylvania Reserves, in April, 1861, was mustered into service in June, and served a short time. Returning from the war he resumed teaching, taught at Harlansburg, Lawrence County, one year, and then served as principal of the Union schools at Mercer for two years. In 1865 he married Nancy A. McKinney, daughter of John M. McKinney, ex-sheriff of this county, and went to St. Louis, where he engaged in the real estate business for two years, 1865-66. Returning to Mercer early in 1867 he engaged in starting the Soldiers’ Orphan School, putting $70,000 into the institution. This he sold in 1874 to S.F. Thompson, J.I. Gordon, G.W. Wright and R.R. Wright. He read law with the late Judge McDermitt, and was admitted to the bar in February, 1870. From 1870 to 1875 he practiced here with E.W. Jackson, now of Harrisburg, under the firm name of White & Jackson. From 1877 to 1879 or 1880 he was associated with B. Magoffin. Since then he has practiced by himself. He has three living children: Bertha B., Grace and John A. He is a member of the A.Y.M. and I.O.O.F., and has frequently been connected with the schools. In 1874 he was a candidate for Congress from this district, and was defeated by seventy votes. He was a member of the convention of the U.L.P. at Cincinnati in January, 1887, and helped to form that party. He was one of Democratic candidates for the Assembly in 1888.
Currently a resident of Burke, Virginia - I'm originally from the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I have been a student of the Pennsylvania Reserves since 1997 and thoroughly enjoy telling their story. By trade I'm a former IT Professional but presently working as a Letter Carrier for the United States Postal Service.
