Born on a farm near Maries County, Missouri, his parents were Jonah William and Cloa Ann (Reeder) White.

At 19 years of age, White was elected president of the Hickory County Teachers Institute in 1886.

[2] White was elected as a Democrat to the 70th Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of William N. Vaile and served from November 15, 1927 to March 3, 1929.

[2] He was the author of the minority report that precipitated the fight over the fusion with the Populists that resulted in a split in the convention.

He was elected secretary of that division of the party which was denominated “The White Wings”, and which nominated a straight Democratic ticket.

[1] He was a member of the American Bar Association, Elks, Knights of Pythias, and the Denver Athletic Club.