Gaston, Joseph.  "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912."  Vol. 4. 
Chicago, Clarke Publishing Co., 1912. p. 992.
 
ALEXANDER WHITE

     The lumber industry has been the chief source of revenue, in Oregon and the
timber tracts of the state yet exceed in extent and value those of any other
state in the Union. Men of marked business ability have engaged in the
manufacture and sale of lumber and success has crowned their enterprise and
intelligently directed efforts. Among those now well known in connection with
the lumber trade of Oregon is Alexander White, treasurer of the Westport Lumber
Company which is operating one of the largest mills between Portland and
Astoria. His life record began in Ontario, Canada, on the 16th of May, 1864, his
parents being John and Margaret (McLaughlin) White. The father was born in
Glasgow, Scotland, and the mother in Toronto, Canada, where they were married
and made their home for a few years. Subsequently they resided at Onawa, Iowa,
for twenty years, and went thence to Idagrove, Iowa, where they spent the
succeeding decade. Their next place of residence was at Breckenridge, Missouri,
where the father died December 27, 1900. The mother afterward made her way
westward, settling at Santa Cruz, California, where she is still living. In
their family were three sons and a daughter: Archibald, who died in South
Dakota; Daniel, who passed away in Idagrove, Iowa; Mary A., the wife of M. D.
Bardwell, of Santa Cruz, California; and Alexander.
     Alexander White was a youth of fourteen years when he undertook the task of
providing for his own support and he early came to realize that unfaltering
industry and perseverance constitute the surest foundation upon which to build
success. He secured a clerkship in a hardware store and that he was capable and
efficient is indicated by the fact that he remained there for about five years.
He afterward clerked in a retail lumber yard for ten months and subsequently was
appointed manager of the S. H. Braman Lumber Company at Mapleton, Iowa,
remaining in charge of the business at that place for about five years. His
thrift enabled him during that period to save from his earnings, a sum,
sufficient to purchase an interest in a hardware store, and for a year he was in
partnership with S. W. Harms in the conduct of a business of that character at
Idagrove. Iowa. On selling out he accepted the position of manager with John
Powell at Algona, Iowa, where he worked for several years. He next removed to
Breckenridge, Missouri, where be purchased an interest in a hardwire, lumber,
coal and implement business and at the same time handled real estate, remaining
at that place for three years. The west proving to him an irresistible
attraction, he left the Mississippi valley for Chehalis, Washington, where he
began sawing and manufacturing lumber, continuing in that business for five
years when he disposed of his interests, preparatory to removing to Portland. He
lived for a year and one half in the Rose city and then purchased an interest in
a mill at Bay City, Oregon, which he has since operated. With a partner, he also
purchased a tract of timber land, and a logging camp at Quincy, Oregon, and
organized. the Beaver Logging Company. Since that time lie has been developing
the business and manufacturing lumber quite extensively. He is president of that
company and, in 1909. became the treasurer and manager of the Westport Lumber
Company which has one of the largest mills between Astoria and Portland. His
interests are extensive and his business is growing substantially. The result is
gratifying and his ability is evidenced in the prosperity which has come to him.
     On the 6th of February, 1902, Mr. White was married to Miss Gertrude V.
Billings, who was born in Butler county, Iowa, February 28, 1869, a daughter of
George W. and Ada M. (Cramer) Billings, the former born. in the state of New
York and the latter near Hamilton, Ontario. With their respective parents, Mr.
and Mrs. Billings removed to the middle west in early life and were married in
Iowa. For some years they resided in that state and "then went to Rockford,
Illinois, where they lived for twenty years. They afterward spent a few  years
in Minnesota and thence came to the Pacific coast, settling at Upland,
California, whence they later went to Portland where they are still living. The
father engaged in farming in Iowa and conducted a hardware store in Illinois but
is now livino, retired.
     In considering the political situation of the country Alexander White has
been led to give his support to the republican party. He became a member of the
Masonic lodge at Algona, Iowa, and served as past master for two years, and is
now affiliated with the order in the west. During his residence in Oregon he has
readily recognized his business opportunities and as the years have gone by he
has so utilized the advantages that have come to him for investment, that he has
become well known and prosperous. He never hesitates to venture where favoring
opportunity leads the way and the steps in his orderly progression are easily
discernible. As the architect of his own fortunes he has built wisely and well
and the course that he has pursued indicates the possibilities for business
development and success in the west.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in August 2007 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.