James Henry White, a dominant factor in industrial circles in Meriden by virtue of his position as president of the Wilcox & White Company, one of the most important manufacturers of musical instruments in the United States, has been connected with the company in an important capacity ever since its organization in 1877 and has had much to do with the upbuilding of its trade, which is nation-wide in scope.

  He was born in Westfield, Connecticut, September 26, 1847, the eldest son of Henry Kirk and Lucy (Cornwall) White. The father was a native of Bolton, Connecticut, and the date of his birth was February 7, 1822. The family was established in America in 1630, when representatives of the name located in Nantasket, Massachusetts, having left England because of religious persecution. Henry Kirk White was reared upon a farm and received his education mainly in the district schools. From earliest boyhood he manifested unusual musical talent and while still in his teens taught singing schools and led choruses. He took up the study of tuning pianos and organs and in 1841 went west, where he engaged in that work for four years, during which time he visited various parts of the country. In 1845 he entered the employ of Denison Smith, of Colchester, a manufacturer of musical instruments. Two years later he invested his savings in a plant of his own at New London, Connecticut, and turned his attention to manufacturing melodeons. In 1853 he transferred his business to Washington, New Jersey, and continued there until the Civil war broke out. Owing to the upheaval in business conditions due to the outbreak of hostilities he deemed it advisable to suspend business for a while and during the years of the war was a resident of Philadelphia and vicinity. In 1865 he went to Brattleboro, Vermont, and took charge of the tuning and action department of the Estey Organ Company, one of the leading concerns engaged in the manufacture of musical instruments. He took with him his family, and his sons also obtained employment with that concern. He desired, however, to again engage in business on his own account and in 1876 succeeded in interesting the late Horace C. Wilcox, a capitalist of Meriden, in his project, and in 1877 the Wilcox & White Organ Company was organized. During the intervening four decades it has been one of the leading industrial enterprises of Meriden and for many years was conducted under the personal management of Henry Kirk White, who at length retired, leaving to his sons the management of the business. He was quite prominent in public affairs, serving as a member of the board of aldermen and as a member of the school committee, which position he held for an extended period. Fraternally he was a Knight Templar Mason. By his marriage to Lucy Cornwall[,] a daughter of William and Julia (Roberts) Cornwall, of Cornwall, Connecticut, he has four children, as follows: James H.; Edward H. and Howard, who were officials of the Wilcox & White Company until called by death; and Julia, now Mrs. Silas Donovan, of Meriden. Following the demise of his first wife in 1867 he as married to Mrs. Betsy (Stickney) Herrick, a daughter of Benjamin Stickney, of Dummerston, Vermont.

  James Henry White received his education in Somersville, Washington, and Phillipsburg, New Jersey, and when in his teens entered the John Wanamaker store at Philadelphia, in which city the family resided during the Civil war. Later removal was made to Brattleboro, Vermont, and our subject became the assistant of his father in his work of tuning the instruments manufactured by the Estey Organ Company. He proved very efficient and his ability and trustworthiness were rewarded by frequent promotions. In 1877, however, his father became one of the founders of the Wilcox & White Organ Company of Meriden, and James Henry White at once became connected with the new organization in an important capacity. Upon the retirement of his father he succeeded to the presidency and has since filled the chief executive office of the company. He has administrative powers of a high order and one of the chief factors in his success has been his ability in choosing wisely his assistants. He keeps in close touch with the work of the various departments and has insisted on the maintenance of the highest possible standards of excellence, with the result that the products of the company are recognized throughout the civilized world as being among the best musical instruments built. For many years the company engaged solely in the manufacture of reed organs and a self-playing organ, but since 1897 has been chiefly known through the Angelus piano and the Angelus player piano. A more detailed account of the product of the company and a fuller history of its growth and expansion will be found elsewhere in this work. Mr. White is also a director of the Home National Bank.

  Mr. White was married December 1, 1868, to Miss Kate Cheney, of Brattleboro, Vermont, a daughter of Samuel T. R. and Martha (Brown) Cheney. To this union have been born three children: Frank Cornwall, who is the third generation to hold high official position in the Wilcox & White Company, and who has invented many valuable improvements on the Angelus; Grace Louise; and Florence May, now Mrs. Harry Smith.

  Mr. White has represented the fifth ward in the city council but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. The management of his large business interests has made such demands upon his time and attention that his service on the board of aldermen was performed only at personal sacrifice. He has always recognized fully his obligations to his community and on many occasions his advice and active cooperation have been found invaluable in carrying to successful completion projects looking toward civic advancement of Meriden. During the preparation for the Centennial celebration he was a member of the general committee and a chairman of the committee on finance. Socially he is prominent and he is a leading member of the Home Club. His religious faith is that of the First Congregational church and he served as a member of its board of trustees. It is to such men as he, alert, progressive and energetic, that the development of Connecticut as a large manufacturing section is due.