Michael Doherty White

Michael Doherty White (September 8, 1827 – February 6, 1917) was an American lawyer and Republican politician who served one term as a U.S. Representative from Indiana from 1877 to 1879. During his single term in the United States Congress, he represented the interests of his Indiana constituents and contributed to the legislative process at a significant period in American history.

White was born in Clark County, Ohio, on September 8, 1827. In 1829 he moved with his parents to Tippecanoe County, Indiana, where he pursued classical studies in his youth. Seeking further opportunity, he relocated in 1848 to Crawfordsville, Indiana, a community that would remain central to his professional and political life.

White’s formal education included attendance at the county seminary and at Wabash College in Crawfordsville. While pursuing his studies, he clerked in a store for one year, gaining early business experience. He then turned to the study of law, reading law in the traditional manner and preparing for admission to the bar. In 1854 he was admitted to the bar and commenced the practice of law in Crawfordsville.

In his early legal career, White formed a partnership with General Lew Wallace, who would later gain national prominence as a Civil War general, diplomat, and author. White quickly entered public service as a lawyer, serving as prosecuting attorney for Montgomery and Boone Counties from 1854 to 1856. His work as a prosecutor helped establish his reputation in Indiana legal and political circles.

White advanced in state politics as a member of the Indiana State Senate, in which he served from 1860 to 1864. His tenure in the state legislature coincided with the Civil War era, a time of intense political and social upheaval in both Indiana and the nation. As a state senator, he participated in shaping Indiana’s policies and responses during this critical period, further solidifying his standing within the Republican Party.

Building on his state-level experience, White was elected as a Republican to the Forty-fifth Congress, serving as a U.S. Representative from Indiana from March 4, 1877, to March 3, 1879. His service in Congress occurred during the post-Reconstruction period, when the nation was adjusting to the political and economic consequences of the Civil War and Reconstruction. As a member of the House of Representatives, Michael Doherty White participated in the democratic process, represented the interests of his constituents, and contributed to the legislative work of the chamber. He chose not to be a candidate for renomination in 1878 and thus served one term in office.

After leaving Congress, White returned to Crawfordsville and resumed the practice of law. He continued in active legal practice there until 1911, maintaining a long professional career that spanned more than half a century. He remained a respected figure in the local bar and community during these later years.

Michael Doherty White died in Crawfordsville, Indiana, on February 6, 1917. He was interred in the Masonic Cemetery in Crawfordsville, closing a life marked by sustained service as a lawyer, state legislator, and member of the United States House of Representatives.