Riverside County Biography
Albert S. White
A native of New England, Albert S. White was born in Belfast, Me., in 1840, was reared and educated there, after which he located in New York and there engaged in mercantile pursuits. Some years later he was associated with Capt. George W. Gilchrist in the ship chandlery business and his keen business tact and energetic management rendered him valuable, and under the firm name of Gilchrist, White & Co. it became one of the best known establishments of their line in the city. In the spring of 1875 Mr. White had a severe attack of pneumonia, and, failing to rally from its affects, was advised to seek a milder climate and a trip to Europe was recommended by his physician, but Mr. White preferred California. In January 1866, he crossed the continent and visited many well-known resorts of the Pacific coast in the vain search for health. Finding no relief on the coast he decided to try the interior with higher altitudes and dry climate. With this view he visited Riverside and found the long-looked-for relief, passing the winter here and rapidly regaining his health. In the spring of 1886, before going back east, he bought forty acres four miles south of the city, then nothing but a bare plain covered with sage brush and cactus.
Closing out his business in New York that summer Mr. White returned to Riverside in the fall, bringing with him some of the choicest varieties of trees and vines, and with his customary seal began the improvement of his ranch. He soon became an expert in horticulture and built up a productive industry in the colony, having his tract set out to oranges. He entered into every enterprise that tended to advance and build up the interests of Riverside, his new home. He was one of those who organized the first citrus fair ever held in the United States, the Citrus Fair Association, and the erection of a pavilion was a result of their labors.
Mr. White was connected with the erection of the Presbyterian Church and the Arlington school house; with the founding of the Library Association; the Citizens Water Company and its successor, the Riverside Water Company. Upon the organization of the state board of horticulture he was appointed by Governor Perkins to represent Southern California on the board. He was one of the original incorporators and a director of the Riverside and Arlington Railroad Company, also of the Riverside Railroad Company. In 1887 he was one of the promoters of the Riverside Improvement Company and also was president and principal owner of the Arlington Heights Water Company, and a director in the Loring Opera House Company. He was a member of the Library Association and of the Board of Trade and served as a member of the board of trustees. Politically he was an earnest Republican and always allied himself with the best elements of his party. He was a member of the board of supervisors four years, from 1884 to 1888; was a member of the county central committee for some years, and was a member and trustee of the Universalist Church. Among other things which Mr. White accomplished was the laying out and piping of White’s addition to Riverside, and for some time he was also engaged in the real estate business with Frank Miller. He was counted one of Riverside’s most public spirited citizens and his name is perpetuated in White’s Park, which he donated to the city.
Mr. White passed away June 21, 1909, at the age of sixty-nine years, the victim of chronic bronchitis.
History of Riverside County, California
History by Elmer Wallace Holmes
And Other Well Known Writers :
Historic Record Company
Los Angeles, Ca. 1911
Transcribed by Lori Stark, October, 2007 Pages 299-300
Riverside County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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