admin JAMES PENFIELD WHITE was born in Hamburg, Erie County, N. Y., July 6, 1844, being the son of James and Mary (White) Bo wen. The father of James Penfield White dying before the latter’s birth, the boy was adopted by the maternal uncle, Dr. James P. White, and was educated at Walnut Hill School. His foster father intended him to study medicine, but partial failure of the young man’s eyes compelled the abandonment of this plan. During his early manhood Mr. White engaged for ten years in the lithographing business in Buffalo, later having the care of Dr. White’s estate, whose management continued to devolve upon him for the rest of his life, and the White Block was built under his direction. Mr. White was a prominent member of the National Guard, and for several years served on the staff of Gen. Howard. In politics, he was an independent Democrat. He was a member of Trinity Church, was for some years its Treasurer, and served on- the Board of Managers of the Church Home. He was a leading member of the Buffalo Club, and enjoyed an enviable social position. September 24, 1872, Mr. White married Mary Anna Dobbins, daughter of Capt. David P. and Mary (Richards) Dobbins of Buffalo. He died August 10, 1894, being survived by his widow and two sons, Seymour Penfield and James Piatt White.
Mr. White was a man of distinguished appearance, being one of those men whose presence commands respect. Of courteous manners and kindly disposition, he won friends without effort and retained them by the influence of a character in which amiability and trustworthiness were happily blended.
SOURCE: Memorial and Family History of Erie County New York; Volume I