White, T. C.

T. C. White was born in 1850 in Essex, Chittenden County, Vermont, to parents Calvin White and Hannah Furman. After attending public schools in Essex and Burlington College, he moved to California in 1877 and settled in Fresno County, where he developed Central California’s first raisin vineyard. On November 27, 1877, he married Augusta Fink, who was born in Wisconsin, and they had one son, Harry F. White, who later became his business associate.

In Fresno County, T. C. White achieved international fame as a pioneer raisin grower, serving as president of the Producers Packing Company and helping organize the California Raisin Growers Association. He expanded his influence into real estate, banking, and commercial developments, constructing the 1,500-seat New White Theater and helping build the landmark Hotel Fresno. Additionally, he served as chairman of the board of supervisors and president of the Fresno Chamber of Commerce, leaving a lasting legacy as a key builder of the region.