The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-01-05
DEATH OF A GREAT DENTIST.
What DR.. White, of Philadelphia,
. Did to Develop a Great Industry.

Dhu ~ DCfctCP o 0sS"s
philadelphia Times.l
The death of s. S. White, of Philadel-
phia, removes one to whom American
dentistry owes more perhaps than to any
other man, dead or living. From a PEN
niless boy in an obscure country town,
the eldest son of widow who found the
means of subsistence for herself and
children by carrying on business in the
confectionery line in a small way, he rose
by his industry and thrift to be the pos
SCISSOR of millions, and as the pioneer in a
new era in dentistry to make his name
known in almost every country on the
habitable globe.
Forty-four years ago Samuel Stockton
White learned his trade, and as soon as
he came of age began to practice den
tistry. In 1S45 he took in two partners
-Asahel Jones, of New York, and John
R. McCurdy, of Philadelphia. The
manufacture of teeth began to make up
large part of their business, and in
1916 MIR. White, seeing wider field of
operations, reliuguished his practice OF
dentistry and began to devote his time
wholly to making teeth and dental in
struments. Soon the business became
the leading one of the country. Whites
teeth and Whites dental instruments be-
gan to be known everywhere. Branch
houses were established in New York,
Boston and Chicago. Finally the part
ners sold out to their senior in the firm.
McCurdy retired in 1859, Mr.. White
purchasing his interest, including real
estate, for $4,000. Jones retired in
1861, his interest, including real estate,
bringing exactly the same amonnt.
The business had now grown to stupen-
dous proportions. Whites dental sup
plies began to be known all over the
world. Every invention that came out
was bought up by the ambitious manu-
facturer and made use of one way or
another. In 1867 he removed to the mas
sive building on the southeast corner OF
Twelfth and Chestnut streets. 1t is five
stories high, runs back to SAMSON street,
and cost $50000O. Here the work OF
manufacturing teeth and dental instru-
ments has been going on ever since. Over
300 hands are employed, and 100000
teeth are turned out annually. Apromi-
nent dentist, speaking of the death Of DR..
White yesterday, said American dentistry
owed to him more than it did to any
other ten men living. cit may be said
to date its beginning with his entrance
into business as a manufacturer OF teeth
and dental instruments. When he began
this business dentistry was in its infancy
The porcelain teeth, which up to that time
had been placed upon the marketwere but
wretched limitations Of nature, and
looked like so many split beans. DR.
Whites first efforts were directed to-
wards improving their shape, translu
cency and adaptibility to the mouth
He then devoted himself to the work o1
reproducing in form and style the va
rieties of the teeth found in persons Of
different temperaments, so that the prac
ticing dentist might be able to find in hi
stock teeth conforming in their pecu
liarities to youth and age, male and fe
male, blondes and brunettes, and all thu
diversified types Of humanity. In thes'
efforts he has succeeded to an extent tina
would seem to leave nothing more to b.
desired. He has received premiums from
all the leading industrial exhibitions il
the world, including medals from eacl
of the great Worlds Fairs of London
Paris, Vienna, Chilli and New York
amounting in all to seventy-fye medals
the grand medal Of honor from Vienna
of which testimonial only eight were re
ceived by American exhibitors-in
elusive"
In addition to the remarkable success
attending him in the manufacture 9
teeth, he has been equally successful i
the manufacture Of dental supplies
From the smallest hand instrument fo
! separating the teeth or excavating fc
the purpose Of filling to the latest in
proved style Of dentists chair, which h
|. is said to have taken great pride in, h
,, mandatory has become noted. 1t
!. mentioned as a somewhat remarkabl
' fact that the various hand instrument
= known as sealers. excavators, pluggel
and the like made IN his establishment
have found their largest market in TO
' eign countries, which are supposed to e,
> eel in the manufacture of the finest spec
mems Of edge tools.
! But it was not alone to the manufa
!, ture of implements and appliances tn;
;, his energies have been devoted. Fl
: thirty-three years he has exercised VIII,
may be termed a controlling influence
:. dental literature-frst in his connectio
. . with the Dental News Letter, a quarterl
= = journal, which was published for twel,
j years and then succeeded by the Dent
i 10 Cosmos, monthly journal now in i
% i twenty-second volume.
= DR.. White left home, in company vii
son and nephew, in November last,
travel for time in Europe for the be
eft of his health. They had been
Paris but few days when he was TAXI
$. suddenly ill, and this followed with
r, forty-eight hours with the news Of h
1t death.
is He became interested in the develo
,e ment of the Gray telephone as early
h 1875, and by advancing money to the i
1f ventor was in a measure instrumental
\ | l.. CO ,+o