He was educated at St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire, before leaving to work at an iron plant in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

[1] From his base in Morris County, Whitney was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly in 1916 and was reelected the following year.

Moore ran on a "wet" anti-Prohibition platform against Whitney, who had the support of the Anti-Saloon League.

The Republican campaign focused on the undue influence of Democratic party boss Frank Hague in state government.

[3] After his defeat in the gubernatorial race, Whitney retired to private life in Mendham Township.