Jefferson County PA Biographies
W

Alexander Colwell White

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 doen 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 face 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 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, 1876 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 present time he has taken an active part in politics as a stanch Republican, having no sympathy with third parties or halfway 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.