Biographical Sketches
CHURCHILL J. WHITE
In times of financial depression there is nothing that does more to restore public confidence that cause the revival of business activity than a sound financial banking institution than a sound financial banking institution in which the public can place the utmost reliance and which conducts its business affairs in a safe, honorable and above-board way that commands universal respect. For 31 years the subject of this notice has been prominently connected with banking circles in this community. He is a man of known reliability and superior business ability, and his connection with the financial interests of Jackson county have done much to give to commercial interests a stability that has caused the growth and rapid development of the city.
Mr. White is a native of Kentucky. He was born June 17, 1825, and when he was but 8 years old his father died. His mother afterward brought her family to Liberty, Missouri, where he was reared to manhood and continued his residence until coming to Kansas City in 1865. While in Liberty he was united in marriage in 1847, with Miss America Adkins, of that place, and they have one child, now deceased.
Mr. White began his business career as a salesman in the store of David Roberts, of Liberty, and was employed 2 years in that capacity, when Mr. Roberts, in recognition of his valuable service, admitted him to a partnership in the business. On the retirement of Mr. Roberts, in 1854, Mr. White became the head of the mercantile firm of White & Adkins, and continued in that line of trade until 1863, when he disposed of his business and accepted the position of cashier for the Farmers' Bank, of Liberty; in which position he served until 1865, when he resigned it to accept a similar one in the Kansas City Savings Association, which in 1875 became the Bank of Commerce, on increase of capital stock, and in 1888 became the National Bank of Commerce, of Kansas City. In this responsible capacity he was employed for 30 years. It was due not less to his enviable reputation, his careful management and his intimate knowledge of banking and of the peculiar needs of the business community of Kansas City, than to other causes, that the bank achieved its brilliant success which has rendered it safe at all times and in all crises, and placed it among the strongest banks in the country. In January, 1895, he was elected president of the Citizens' National Bank, and is now at the head of that well known and popular institution.
In early life, Mr. White gave his political support to the whig party, but for many years has been an advocate of Democratic principles; never active as a politician, but with an earnest interest in all affairs of public moment, national, state or municipal. During the late war he was a pronounced union man, and such a degree of confidence was reposed in him that he served the United States government in various important capacities, almost constantly during the period from 1861 until 1865, inclusive, with that integrity and attention to duty which has characterized his course through life. In 1861 he was elected second lieutenant of Company A, of the first regiment, Clay county militia, and was soon promoted to be adjutant of the regiment with the rank of captain. He also served as provost marshall and as enrolling officer for Captain Comingo's district.
Ever since coming to Kansas City, Mr. White has had unlimited faith in its future, has invested his means freely in its real estate and has in every way fostered and encouraged its advancement. His intimate relations with its leading capitalists and his long connection, financially and otherwise, with its most prominent interests, have closely identified him with its success, and he is regarded as one of the best and most useful citizens.
This page was last updated August 2, 2006.