He was also an automotive pioneer through the White Motor Company, which went on to produce cars, trucks, buses and tractors.

His company helped make a Cleveland a center for sewing machine manufacture, and set up branch dealers throughout the United States and in England.

A sideline department making roller skates was expanded into The Cleveland Machine Screw Co. which in turn became the Cleveland Automatic Machine Co. A bicycle department was created that was eventually sold to The American Bicycle Company.

While vacationing nearby, White learned about the financially struggling institution, and became, in Bethune's words, her "first friend".

White provided financial assistance and also arranged for his employees to make a series of structural and infrastructure improvements.