BIO: Alexander Colwell White, Jefferson County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kitty

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http://usgwarchives.net/pa/jefferson/
http://usgwarchives.net/pa/jefferson/beers/beers-bios.htm
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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania, Including 
the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Containing 
Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens. 
Chicago, Ill.: J. H. Beers, 1898, pages 1068-1069.
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HON. ALEXANDER COLWELL WHITE, of Brookville, Jefferson county.  It is 
natural that men should look upon one who has made his way to 
distinction in defiance of adverse circumstances with more 
consideration than is given those to whom a kind fortune gave an 
advantageous start in life.  That many have done so in this land of 
wide opportunities in business, political and professional lines, does 
not in the least detract from the credit due to each one who has 
bravely faced and measured the odds against him, and bravely determined 
to win.
  The early struggles of the subject of this sketch before he acquired 
an education, completed his legal studies as law student, and gained a 
foothold in the legal profession are well known to many of our readers 
who have watched his career from early manhood with sympathetic 
interest, and it is fitting that the story should be recorded here that 
all may learn its inspiring lessons.  Mr. White was born near 
Kittanning, Armstrong Co., Penn., December 12, 1833, and was reared 
upon a farm, attending the common schools in winter until the age of 
twenty.  He then began teaching in the public schools, and in the 
following summer pursued his studies in Jacksonville Institute, and 
from that time he attended school in summer and taught in winter, 
putting in his spare time in harvesting, or, as a hand, rafting and 
running lumber.  He was graduated at Dayton University in the fall of 
1859, and in the summer of 1860 he went to Jefferson county to take 
charge of the public schools at Punxsutawney.  During that fall he 
commenced studying law under the Hon. Phineas W. Jenks; in the spring 
of 1861, he enlisted with the first three-months' men, in Company I, 
8th P. V. I., under Col. A. A. McKnight.  On his return, he completed 
his legal studies, and was admitted to practice at the December term, 
1862.  In the spring of 1863 he commenced the practice of law with 
Capt. John Hastings, of Punxsutawney, under the firm name of Hastings & 
White, and speedily gained an enviable place in the profession.
  On May 25, 1864, Mr. White was married to Ellen M. Murray, and this 
union was blessed with two children:  John M., born August 18, 1871, a 
sketch of whom appears elsewhere; and Nellie March, who was born March 
26, 1879, and died July 26, 1879.  In 1867 Mr. White was elected 
District Attorney of Jefferson county, and in the spring of 1868 he 
moved to the county seat.  His able discharge of his duties pleased the 
people, and in 1870 he was re-elected to the same office.  From 1860 to 
the present time he has taken an active part in politics as a stanch 
Republican, having no sympathy with third parties or half-way measures.  
While he respects an honest opponent, he has little consideration for 
men  without politics, religion or principle.  The Twenty-fifth 
Congressional District composed of the counties of Armstrong, Indiana, 
Jefferson, Clarion and Forest was formed in 1874, and, as it was 
carried by the Democrats in 1880 and 1882, it was considered hopeless 
for a Republican.  In 1884, Mr. White received the nomination, and 
after a hotly contested campaign was elected by over 1,800 majority.  
He served two years in the United States Congress with distinguished 
ability, and has since been actively engaged in the practice of law.