The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1907-01-18
II YEARS in
BRATTLEBORO
Henry X. White Dead in
Meriden
WORKED FOR ESTEY co
Had Charge of the Action and Tuning
Departments There from 1865 to 1875
Then Went to Meriden and Found
ed Wilcox & White Company.

ed Wilcox & White Company.
Henry Kirke White, 81, founder
of the Wilcox & White organ company
of Meriden, Conn, and for ii years
head of the tuning and action depart
ment of the Estey Organ company,
died suddenly at his home in Meriden
Sunday afternoon from stroke Of
paralysis. Seven years ago he was
stricken with paralysis which deprived
him of the use Of his limbs and he re.
tired from active business life at that
time. A short time ago he was forced
to take to his bed on account of an
attack of grip but death came very un-
expeetedly. He is survived by wild
ow, one son, James II. White, and one
daughter, Mrs. Silas 5. Donovan, all OF
Menden.
The Meriden Journal of Monday
contained the following sketch of MIR.
White s career:
Henry Kirke White was born in Boil
ton, Conn, February Z, lS22, and came
from an ancestry which dates back on
both sides to the early colonial period OF
Connecticut. One OF his ancestors was
a member of the party led by Rev. John
Warham, who came from England in the
ship. MARY John" in 1880 and landed
at Nantasket, Mass. Mr.. White was
reared on farm but, having great musi-
cal talent, he soon lett the farm Tor
more congenial field of labor. While IN
his teens he was noted as a teacher OF the
old-fashioned singing schools and he soon
became known as a teacher and musical
director throughout the state.
In ls4l Mr.. White mastered the art OF
tuning musical instruments and was en-
gagged for the next four years III that
capacity in the west and northwest. Re-
turning to Connecticut he began the
manufacture of musical instruments at
Colchester for Dennison Smith. Two
years later he started in business Tor him
self, making melodeons IN New London,
Conn. and in 1883 moved his business to
Washington, \. j., where he continued
until the great panic of 1857 and the
breaking out of the Civil War in 1861
made it advisable for him to discontinue:
For several years after he was occupied
principally in piano tuning in Phlladel-
phia and in 1868 went to Brattleboro, VT,
where he took charge of the tuning and
action departments of the Estey Organ
works. where he and his sons obtained
high positions.
In 1876 Mr.. White came to Meriden and
interested the late Horace c. Wilcox
and other Meriden gentlemen in the for
nation of a company for the manufacture
of musical instruments. The Wilcox q
White Organ Co., was organized and has
grown to be one of the principal indus
tries of the city. 1t is tndav foremost
among the manufacturers of musical IN
strlments in the world and its product
is known in every civilized land.
Henry Kirke White was called by his
fellow citizens to many public offices and
discharged all his duties conscientiously
and well. He served as alderman from
the fifth ward and for a time was mayor
pro TEN Of the city. For a number OF
years he was first committeeman OF the
| Old Road school district Both as a citi-
zen and as a man he held the full conn.
dence and warm esteem of the people OF
Meriden.
I Mr.. White was married to Lucy Corn
well, daughter Of Mr.. and Mrs William
Comwell Of NIiddletown, Conn. Mrs;
/ White died February Is, 1867. Several
wears later Mr. White married again.
| His second wife. who survives him. was
| Mrs Betsey Herrick daughter OF Ben
4 iamin Stickney of Dummerston, VT.
Fraternally Mr. White was Mason,
an Odd Fellow and Red Man. In the
! Masonic order he was Knight Templar
/ and although not a member of st. Elmo
commandery of this city, often attended
/ its meetings until he was nv failing health
unable TO get out. He took an active
interest in Odd Fellowship and was a
faithful and consistent member OF the
order. He never became member OF
either of the Merden lodges, remaining
member of Wantastiquet lodge OF
Brattleboro, VT.
Mr.. White was one of the organizers
of Montowese tribe, |. 0. r. NJ, of this
| cltv in 1887 and was its first sachem. He
was. also one of the organizers of the
Great Council of Connecticut and was its
first great keeper of wampum position
/ which he held five years of service, by
| virtue of this service he became a past
great sachem and member of the nation
al council of the United States. During
his service as great keeper of wampum
he very materially assisted the council
in its financial affairs. He was always
greatly interested in the local tribe and
was present at the last class initiation.
Through a man of sterling Christian
character Mr. White was not a member
of any of the local churches. As young
man he joined the. Baptist church IN
bership there.
Kindly, loving, thoughtful of the. com,
fort of others, honest and square in all
his dealings with his fellow, men, Mr.
White had many warm and close friends
and was universally respected and es
teemed. -
editorial concerning Mr.: White: ;,
Henry Kirke White will be missed He
filed large place in the industrial lifs
OF the community. and also in the esteem
of all who knew him. As the 3 founder o, o.
his memory a lasting debt of gratitude.
Thkt concern rs one of the leading fac
tors in making Meriden's name know VI
the world over, in the palaces OF king
and potentates, on great ocean steam
ships. and on the islands of the sea-
, Mr.. White had peculiarly loyyable per
sonality. He not only believed in m bn
practiced the square deaf' in his rela
tions with his fellow men. Socially, HI
was the best of. comrades. with funt
of rare good humor and a happy faeult!
, of helping others to see the sunny SIDE