Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1907-01-18
HENRY KIRKE WHITE DEAD.

Founder Of the Wilcox & White Com
pany Of Merden, Conn, and Former
Department Superintendent in the Es-
tey organ Factory.
Henry Kirkc White founder Of the VIII
cox & White CO. of Mcridcn, Conn, died
suddenly at his home at 10 Griswold
street i'm that city Sunday afternoon.
Mr.. White had been i'll seven years and
had been confined to his bed ten days
with grip. but death was the result of
stroke of paralysis ana was instantaneous
and painless. Mr.. White is survived by
his wife and a son and daughter, James
II. White and Mrs. Silas S Donovan
both of Meriden. The funeral was held
in Meriden Wednesday afternoon and the
burial was in the family lot in Walnut
Grove cemetery in that city.
Mr.. White was born in Bolton. Conn
Feb. 7, 1922, and his ancestry on both
sides dated back to the early colonial
period of Connecticut Mr.. White was
reared on a farm. but he gave evidence
of musical talent at an early age and i'm
his youth was a teacher of old-fashoned
singing schools. He became known
eventually throughout the state as a
musical teacher and director. In 1911 he
mastered the art of tuning musical in
strumonts and for four years was en-
gagged in the work i'm the West and
began the manufacture Of musical in
struments for Dennison Smith i'm Col
| chester Two years later he started in
the same business for himself i'm New
London, Conn. In 1853 he moved the es-
adjustment to Washington, y j. Owing
TO the panic of 1867 and the breaking out
of the civil war i'm 1861 1t was advisable
! for him TO discontinue the business and
for several years he was engaged I'm
piano tuning in Philadelphia.
In 1865 he came to Brattlcboro and took
charge Of the tuning and action depart
ment of the EStcN Organ works His
| sons were associated with him i'm this
work. In 1876 Mr. White and his sons
! went to Meriden. Conn, where they in
| tercsted the late Horace G. Wilcox and
| other men in the formation of a company
! for the manufacture Of musical instru-
ments The Wilcox & White organ Co.
| was organized. The concern became one
| of the leading industries Of the city and
| its product is today known throughout
| the civilized world
Mr.. White was called to many pub
/ lie offices, all of which he filled with abil-
/ ity. He served as alderman from the
/ fifth ward and for a time was mayor pro
tempore Of Meridcn. He was a school
| committeeman several years. Both as a
| citizen and a man he held the full con-
| fidence and esteem Of the people Of Meri-
! den.
! His first wife. who was Lucy Cornwall
! of Middletown. Conn. died Feb Is. 1876
! Several years later he married Mrs
| Betsey Herrick. daughter Of Benjamin
| Sticknev Of Dummcrston. She survives
! him Fatcrnally Mr.. White was n Mason
| Odd Fellow and Red Man He was one
| of the organizers Of Montoweso tribe Of
| Red Men in Merden in 1887 and its first
! sachem. He was also ono Of the organ
! izers of the great council Of Connecticut
| and its first keeper Of wampum posi-
! ton which he filled five years. BY virtue
! of his service he became n past great
sachem and member Of the national
| council Of the United States. Mr.. White
| united with the Baptist church in Brat
| uebOro and had always maintained his
membership here. He had also continued
| to he a member OF Wanta stiquet lodge
OF odd Fellows during his long residence
/ in Merden
The Moriden. Conn Record. which
| contained an extended obituary OF Mr..
! White, closed with these words: kindly.
/ loving. thoughtful OF the comfort OF
others. honest and square in all his deal
| ings with his fellow men. Mr. White had
| many warm and close friends and was
! universally respected and esteemed"
Edtorially the Record said: Henry
| Kirke White will he missed He filled a
large place in the industrial life OF the
community. and also I'm the esteem Of all
| who knew him. As the founder Of tho
| Wilcox & White Co. Meridcn owes his
memory lasting debt Of gratitude. nat
| concern is one Of the foremost factors
| in making Meriden's name known tho
| world over. in the palaces OF kings and
| potentates, on great ocean steamships
| and on the islands Of the sea. Mr. White
| had n peculiarly lovahlc personality. He
| not only believed in but practiced the
| square deal i'm his relations with his
fellow men. Socially he was tho best Of
comrades with a fund Of rare good
humor and a happy faculty Of helping
| others to see the sunny side"