SCOTT WHITE. We glean from the columns of the Cairo city papers the following facts concerning Mr. Scott White, one of the prosperous and most respected men in Cairo's history. Scott White was born in Ireland in 1813, and grew to manhood in his native country, coming to the United States in 1832. He took this step as the result of a determination to make his mark in the world. From the time of his arrival in this country until he came to Cairo in 1855, we have learned but little of his experiences; but perhaps the time was principally passed in Pennsylvania, where, in November, 1856, he was married to Miss Rosy Hunter, who was born in 1828, in the immediate locality of the birthplace of Mr. White. He was a man who was possessed of a strong will power and a kind and generous nature, which appeared to develop more fully as he increased in years. These characteristics, coupled with his native business ability, insured his success. In 1855, he came to Cairo, Ill., and formed a partnership with R. H. Cunningham, which existed for about ten years. The first business house on the Ohio levee was erected for this firm. In his composition, there was nothing assumed, and he had no compromise to make with a dishonorable transaction, always able to say "No," when his judgment dictated that answer, regardless of consequences. In his earlier business life in Cairo, this straightforward, outspoken style sometimes amounted almost to sternness, but was always the result of honest promptings. Later in life, he lost, to some extent, his business enthusiasm, and having amassed a handsome fortune, his business activity, in a great degree, gave place to the more kindly influences of social life. He laid aside, so to speak, much of his business care, and looked more to the encouragement of efforts to improve the moral and social condition of Cairo. But in the hour of his greatest usefulness, after having successfully fought the battle of life, just at the moment when his ample hand was being stretched out in the work of making the world happier, thereby making it better, he was taken away. In all the relations of husband, father, and citizen, he was a model of uprightness, justice and true manliness. He honored the position he occupied in the estimation of his large circle of friends. He died at his residence in Cairo on the 19th of April, 1871, leaving his wife and three children — Maragret A., Scott A. and William White— who still survive him. Resolutions of respect were adopted by the officers of the City National Bank, of which he was a director, and by the Delta Social Club, of which he was an honored member.
Extracted 31 Mar 2017 by Norma Hass from 1883 History of Alexander, Union, and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part V, pages 50-51.
| Cape Girardeau MO |
Union | |
 |
Pulaski | |
| Scott MO | Mississippi MO | Ballard KY |
