Washington Alexander White, whose intense and well directed activity has made him one of the foremost factors in community affairs in Hillsboro, entered upon the active duties of life unaided by influential friends or advantageous circumstances. He has been the sole architect of his own fortune, molding his own character and shaping his own destiny. He has come to be a merchant and a man of affairs in his adopted state, yet his labors have not been restricted to the advancement of his personal interests, for he has extended his effort to various fields, in which he has championed the highest interests of the municipality and of the people at large.

Mr. White was born in North Carolina, as were his parents, Robert R. and Rebecca (Barkley) White. The father was a farmer by occupation and at the time of the Civil war espoused the cause of the south and died in the hospital at Richmond, Virginia, in 1804. When thirty-five years of age. His political allegiance was given to the Democracy and he was a member of the Reformed Presbyterian church.

His wife, who was also born in North Carolina, was a daughter of Robert R. and Rebecca D. (Cathey) Barkley. Mrs. White died in 1875 at the age of forty-two years. She was also a member of the Reformed Presbyterian church and was a most estimable lady who had the warm regard of many friends. In the family were five children: Mary Roberta, now deceased; Nancy E., who became the wife of Frank Eagle, a resident of North Carolina; Anna Delilah, the widow of Wesley Bailey, of North Carolina; Washington A.; and Bobbie, deceased.

Washington A. White began his education in the common schools of his native state and continued his studies in East Fork Township, Montgomery County; he came to this county in 1876 with his uncle, Pink White, who located at Hillsboro. Mr. White was then fifteen years of age and he worked by the month on a farm in summer, while in the winter seasons he attended school for two years, he afterward drove a delivery wagon for John C. Barkley for two years and at the expiration of that period he entered the store of A. A. K. Sawyer as a clerk in the grocery department. Afterward he was employed in the dry-goods department, where he remained for five years. Subsequently he engaged in selling dry goods as a traveling salesman, beginning in that line in 1886 as a representative of a St. Louis house. He was thus engaged until 1897 and during the two last years he was in charge of the traveling men of that house upon the road. The firm, however, retired from business in August, 1897, and Mr. White again came to Hillsboro and began business on his own account as a dealer in dry goods, clothing, hats and caps at Hillsboro. He still carries on business in this line and has secured a liberal patronage which has made the enterprise a profitable one. He is likewise interested in the new Kortkamp Mining Company and is a member of the Hillsboro Building & Improvement Company.

Mr. White was married in 1892 to Miss Winnie P. Brown, a daughter of George W. and Henrietta Brown, who was born in Butler in 1869. They had two children: Ruth H. and Marjorie R.

In his political affiliation Mr. White is a Republican, keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day and giving earnest support to every movement that he believes will contribute to the success of the party. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp and in Masonry has attained the Knight Templar degree.

He thoroughly enjoys home Life and takes great pleasure in the society of his family and friends. He is always courteous, kindly and affable, and those who know him personally have for him warm regard. A man of great natural ability, his success in business from the beginning of his residence in Hillsboro has been uniform and rapid. As has been truly remarked, after all that may be done for a man in the way of giving him early opportunities for obtaining the requirements which are sought in the schools and in hooks, he must essentially formulate, determine and give shape to his own character; and this is what Mr. White has done, he has persevered in the pursuit of a persistent purpose and gained the most satisfactory reward.