White, William Edgar

19 Jan. 1861–29 Mar. 1935

See also: White Furniture Company

William Edgar White, furniture manufacturer, was born in Mebane, the son of Stephen Alexander and Mary Jane Woods White. He received his education at the Bingham Military Academy, located near his home, before working as a telegraph operator for the Southern Railway until 1881. With his brother, David A., and a capital investment of $420, he then established the White Furniture Company, of which he was president until his death over half a century later. The company made furniture of the highest quality and earned an international reputation.

As a Republican White was active in local political affairs and a member of the school board; he was a director of the State Fair and helped organize the Mebane tobacco market. A member of the Presbyterian church, he was involved in its work. White never married. The White Furniture Company ceased operations in 1994.