John R. White (1879-1961) was born in Reading, England and educated in private schools. He served with the Greek Foreign Legion in 1897, went to Alaska and the Yukon, 1897-1899, and enlisted in the 4th U.S. Infantry, 1899, serving in the Philippines. He joined the Philippine Constabulary in 1901, and rose to rank of colonel, retiring in 1914. He was superintendent of the Iwahig Penal Colony, 1906-1908. In 1916-1917 he was in Europe for the Red Cross and the Rockefeller Foundation. He joined the A.E.F. as a Signal Corps pilot. Beginning in 1920 he was with the National Park Service as ranger, chief ranger, or park superintendent at Grand Canyon, Sequoia, and General Grant national parks, Death Valley National Monument, and as director of regions 3 and 4, 1940-1941.
From the guide to the John R. White papers, 1879-1961, (Special Collections and University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries)
