Philo White

Philo White, Jr., (June 23, 1796 – February 15, 1883) was an American newspaper publisher, Democratic politician, and Wisconsin pioneer. He was United States Minister (ambassador) to Ecuador during the presidency of Franklin Pierce, and was a member of the first session of the Wisconsin State Senate.

Philo White
United States Minister Resident to Ecuador
In office September 2, 1854 – September 14, 1858
President	Franklin Pierce James Buchanan
Preceded by	Courtland Cushing
Succeeded by	Charles R. Buckalew
Member of the Wisconsin Senate from the 17th district
In office June 5, 1848 – January 1, 1849
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Victor Willard
Member of the Council of the Wisconsin Territory from Racine County
In office October 18, 1847 – May 29, 1848 Serving with Frederick S. Lovell
Preceded by	Marshall Strong
Succeeded by	Position abolished
Personal details
Born	(1796-06-23)June 23, 1796 Whitestown, New York, U.S.
Died	February 15, 1883(1883-02-15) (aged 86) Whitestown, New York, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Nancy R. Hampton ​ (m. 1822)​
Children	Mary (Ellis) (b. 1824; died 1844) Esther White (b. 1830; died 1832)
Relatives	John Willis Ellis (son-in-law) Hugh White (cousin)

Early life

White was born in Whitestown, New York, on June 23, 1796.^[1][2] He was one of nine children born to Philo White (1767–1849) and Esther (née Holt) White (1764–1841).^[3] His paternal grandfather was Judge Hugh White, the namesake of Whitestown, New York, and a quartermaster during the American Revolutionary War.^[4]

White obtained his early education at the Whitestown Seminary.^[5]

Career

In 1820, after spending a few years in a printing office in Utica, White moved to Salisbury, North Carolina. From 1820 to 1830, White published the Western Carolinian. From 1830 to 1834, he was a purchasing agent for the United States Navy. From 1834 to 1836, he published the Raleigh Standard.

In 1836, he moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and in 1844, he moved to Racine, Wisconsin, while serving as a Purser in the U.S. Navy.^[6] He later helped to establish and edited the Milwaukee Sentinel. White also owned and published the Racine Advocate for a time and was active in the founding of Racine College.^[6]

White, a Democrat, was a member of the Wisconsin Territorial Legislature from 1847 to 1848, and in 1848 became a member of the first Wisconsin State Senate from the 17th District, serving for a year; he was succeeded by Free Soiler Victor Willard.^[3]

On July 18, 1853, White was appointed U.S. Chargé d'affaires in Ecuador.^[7] He presented his credentials on December 27, 1853, and served through his appointment by President Franklin Pierce on June 29, 1854, as U.S. Minister to Ecuador, for which he presented his credentials on September 2, 1854.^[7] On February 25, 1856, he was nominated as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Ecuador but it was withdrawn before the Senate acted on it. White presented his recall on September 14, 1858, and was succeeded by Charles R. Buckalew who was appointed by James Buchanan.^[7]

Personal life

On May 9, 1822, White was married to Nancy R. Hampton (1816–1901) in Rowan County, North Carolina,^[8] the daughter of William and Mary Hampton.^[6] Together, they were the parents of two daughters:^[6]

• Mary White (1824–1844), who married John Willis Ellis of Salisbury, North Carolina on August 25, 1844.^[9] After her death, he remarried and later became the 35th Governor of North Carolina.^[10]
• Esther White (1830–1832), who died young.^[6]

White died on February 15, 1883, in Whitestown, New York.^[11]