ROBERT P. WHITE, of Sullivan, one of the editors of the Sullivan Union, was born September 23, 1876, in Terre Haute, Indiana, son of Samuel A. and Rebecca M. (Pearce) White. (For history of the White family see sketch of Samuel A. White). Robert P. White is a graduate of the Sullivan high school of the class of 1896. He was then employed by his father in his drug store at Sullivan and in 1898, began working on the Sullivan Democrat, continuing on that journal until 1902, during which period he was city editor. In August, 1902, he was made assistant editor of the Sullivan Union, acting in such capacity until February, 1904, at which time, he with his present partner, Dirrelle Chaney, purchased the Sullivan Times, which they sold in March. 1904. Their paper, the Sullivan Weekly Union, has the largest circulation of any paper published within the county.
In his political views, Mr. White is a Republican; has served as secretary of the Republican county committee and was re-elected in 1908. Since the campaign days of 1896 he has been an active party worker. He served as precinct committeeman up to 1906. While engaged on the Sullivan Democrat, he also corresponded for the Terre Haute, Indianapolis and Cincinnati dailies. Being a thorough, up-to-date man. Mr. White is interested in fraternal society matters and is numbered among the members of the Odd Fellows order, being advanced to the Encampment degree. He is also a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. The Masonic fraternity has also attracted him to its fold, and he is now a member of the Blue lodge, Royal Arch Chapter, and the Royal and Select Masters; also belongs to the Eastern Star of the same fraternity, all being lodges at Sullivan.
Mr. White was married June 16, 1906, to Bertha B. Briggs, who was born in 1874, in Sullivan county, Indiana, and is a graduate of the high school with the class of 1893. She was appointed money order clerk at the Sullivan postoffice and held the position for about five years. Mrs. White is the daughter of Dr. Charles and Josephine (Hinkle) Briggs. Her father died in 1903; he was a practicing physician in Sullivan, and counted among the leaders of his profession.