Peter White (Michigan)
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| Born | October 31, 1830 Rome, New York |
| Died | June 6, 1908 Detroit, Michigan |
| Spouse(s) | Ellen S. Hewitt |
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Peter Quintard White (October 31, 1830 – June 6, 1908) was one of the original settlers of Marquette, Michigan. He was a banker, businessman, real estate developer, and a philanthropist; and was involved in a number of the area's iron mining-related businesses, including acting as a director the Cleveland Iron Company. White served in many local and state public offices, including postmaster, county clerk, school board member, state representative and senator, and as a member of the state library commission and a Regent of the University of Michigan. Poet William Henry Drummond said of White, "the trail Peter White has cut through life is blessed by acts of private charity and deeds of public devotion that will serve as a guide to those who follow in the footsteps of a truly great, and above all, good man."
Peter White was born on October 31, 1830 in Rome, New York, the son of Episcopal clergyman Dr. Stephen White and Harriet Tubbs White. Peter's grandparents were Captain Stephan White, who commanded Fort Stanwix in 1777 during the American Revolutionary War and Mary Quintard White, from whom Peter received his middle name.
Peter White's mother, Harriet, died when he was a young boy. Soon after, when Peter was nine, his family moved to Green Bay, Wisconsin. White attended school in Green Bay, and his father remarried. In 1842, White became dissatisfied with his family life, and left home to fend for himself at the age of 13. White travelled to Mackinac Island, doing odd jobs until he found steady employment tending a store. After a time, White drifted to Sault Ste. Marie, and from there hired on to crew a schooner sailing between Detroit and the Sault. During one of the voyages, the schooner sank, and the sailors took passage on another ship. While in port in Bay City, Michigan, White fell while boarding the ship and broke his arm. The arm was badly set and swelled; on arrival in Detroit, local doctors thought it required amputation. However, Dr. Zina Pitcher, invited to observe the operation, recommended waiting; the swelling subsided, Pitcher reset the arm, and White's arm was saved.
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