Harry White (Pennsylvania politician) facts for kids
Harry White (born January 12, 1834 – died June 23, 1920) was an important American politician. He was a member of the Republican Party. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives for Pennsylvania. This means he was one of the people who helped make laws for the entire country.
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Early Life and Education
Harry White was born in a town called Indiana, Pennsylvania. He went to a local school called Indiana Academy. Later, he graduated from Princeton College in 1854. After college, he decided to study law. He became a lawyer in June 1855 and started his law practice in his hometown.
Serving in the Military
When the American Civil War began, Harry White joined the Union Army. The Union Army was the army of the northern states during the Civil War. He became a major in the Sixty-seventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He served in the army from December 1861 until February 1865.
Political Career in Pennsylvania
Even while serving in the military, Harry White was also a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate. This is a group of elected officials who make laws for the state of Pennsylvania. He attended their meetings in the winter of 1862 and 1863.
After the war, he was re-elected to the State Senate. He served there from 1865 to 1874. During his last term, he was chosen as the "speaker." The speaker is like the leader of the Senate meetings. In 1872, he also helped write new rules for Pennsylvania as a delegate to the State constitutional convention. He tried to become the Governor of Pennsylvania in 1872, but he did not win.
Serving in the U.S. Congress
Harry White was elected to the United States Congress as a Republican. He served in the Forty-fifth and Forty-sixth Congresses. This means he was a representative for Pennsylvania in the national government. He decided not to run for re-election in 1880.
Later Life and Legacy
In 1884, Harry White was elected as a judge for Indiana County, Pennsylvania. A judge is a person who makes decisions in a court of law. He was re-elected in 1894 and served as a judge until 1904. After his time as a judge, he went back to being a lawyer. He also worked in banking. Harry White passed away in Indiana, Pennsylvania, in 1920. He was buried in Oakland Cemetery.
