William J. White (politician)


William John White was an American businessman and politician who served one term as a U.S. representative from Ohio from 1893 to 1895.

Early life and career

Born at Rice Lake, Ontario, Canada, White moved to the United States in 1857 with his parents, who settled in Cleveland, Ohio. He attended the district schools. He entered business as a candy maker in 1869, and later began the manufacture of chewing gum. He served as mayor of West Cleveland in 1889.
His wife, Ellen Maria Mansfield, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and was the daughter of Orange and Marietta Mansfield. They had several children. and were later divorced.

Congress

White was elected as a Republican to the Fifty-third Congress. He declined to be a candidate for renomination in 1894.

Later career and death

He was first president of the American Chicle Co. and later president of the W. J. White Chicle Co. He died in Cleveland on February 16, 1923. White was interred in Lake View Cemetery.