AMERICA THE GREAT MELTING POT
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| William Pitt Cleveland Whiting | see FAMILY TREE | ||
| Born: 09 Jun 1829 Cheshire, New Haven, CT Baptized: 06 Dec 1829 Cheshire Congregational Church
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| Married: 15 Sep 1852 Rochester, Monroe Co, NY
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| Died: 02 Jul 1874 San Francisco, CA | |||
FATHER
MOTHER
WIFE
CHILDREN
1. Elizabeth Erickson Whiting b. 21 Jul 1853 Buffalo, Erie Co., NY
2. Jeanette Cleveland Whiting b. 22 Dec 1854, NY
3. Frances Hall Whiting b. 03 Dec 1859 Rochester, Monroe, NY
William Pitt Cleveland
Whiting
by Chase Brooke
Jan 2021
William Pitt Cleveland Whiting was baptized 09 Jun 1829 in Cheshire, New
Haven, CT by his father, the Rector of the Cheshire Congregational Church. He
was the oldest child of Joseph Whiting and
Harriet Lewis Cleaveland. (1) His father was one of the two original
professors at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. When WPC was 16 his
sister Josephine and his father both died. The University of Michigan lists him
as a student there from 1844-1848 under the category "non graduates". (2)
The "Purple and Gold" quarterly, has some descriptive observations about his
life at school. He was short, handsome, had curly black hair, a a full large,
black eye. His room was about a mile from the college building, and he was
not disposed to early rising or attending chapel. He succeeded in scoring
ten absences and was expelled. One friend wrote that "'Cleve' did not inherit
any of his father's clerical characteristics, and, while possessing more than
average intellect, was indisposed to study or exertion of any kind. He was one
who now and then added his flute to our musical entertainments, and was adored
by the girls. He kept fairly up with his class in study, and was one of the
greatest favorites in college for his many estimable qualities, being generous
and a warm friend." After he was expelled, he was allowed to return and did
graduate with his class. (3)
Four years after graduation he married Sarah
Elizabeth Hall on 15 Sep 1852 in Rochester, NY. (4) The couple resided in
Buffalo. On November 22, 1854 his residence was listed for sale in the
Buffalo Daily Courier. (5) The family moved to Rochester, NY and their daughter
Frances was born there in 1859. (6) By 1861 they moved to San Francisco where he
practiced law. (7) He died at the age of 45. His obituary reads,
"Yesterday morning, at his residence, No. 14 Turk Street, W. P. C. Whiting, an
able and esteemed member of the San Francisco Bar, and at one time its leading
member, departed this life. His death was caused by a lingering attack of
consumption. By those who knew him he was considered a thorough gentleman.
His reputation as a lawyer was excellent. His funeral will take place this
afternoon at 2 p.m., from his residence." (8)
In 1885, his son-in-law Edward J. McCutchen (husband of his
daughter Elizabeth) attorney at law, wrote to Lebbeus Foster Spencer
(brother-in-law to WPC Whiting) in
Spencerport about "Mr. Whiting's effects." (9)
Sources
(1) Cheshire Congregational Church
State Library of CT, Hartford, Reel #98 Vol VI p. 20
| pg 10 "William Pitt Cleveland Whiting was a son of Prof. Joseph
Whiting, one of the first professors of the University of Michigan.
He was short, handsome, had curly black hair, and a full, large, black
eye. He studied law with Rogers, Brown & Rogers, of Buffalo N.Y.,
and afterwards went into practice there. He subsequently became
anxious to make money faster than he could in the law, and went into
mercantile schemes and speculations in Chicago and San Francisco, become
"immortal" at the latter city in 1874. written by classmate
Charles W. Noble pg 170 pg. 170 "However, this may be Alpha Epsilon was established not very long before commencement day in 1846. Its charter remembers were C. W. Noble, H. D. Goodrich, W. W. Phelphs, W. H. Wait, J. b. Witherell, S. Ever, B. F. Parks, W. P. C. Whiting, H. H. Schoff, S. S. Schoff, G. B. Alcott, D. E. James, G. P. Kellop, and A. B. Leviseee." pg 171 "We also lost the active membership of Whiting. His room was about a mile from the college building; he was not, at best, disposed to early rising and still less disposed to attend early chapel, attendance on which, however, was compulsory. On all thee accounts he succeeded in scoring ten absences, and was in consequence expelled. - pg 174 Whiting, whose expulsion from the University has been narrated, was permitted to return and graduate with his class." pg 253 " 'Cleve' Whiting is well described on pg 10, as 'short, handsome, had curly black hair, and a full, large black eye.' His father, Professor Whiting, our Professor of Greek and Latin, had died early in 'Cleve's' college life. 'Cleve' did not inherit any of his father's clerical characteristics, and, while possessing more than average intellect, was indisposed to study or exertion of any kind. He was one who now and then added his flute to our musical entertainments, and was adored by the girls. He kept fairly up with his class in study, and was one of the greatest favorites in college for his many estimable qualities, being generous and a warm friend. After our graduation he and I maintained our college friendship while living together in Buffalo. I never heard the full particulars of his death." written by classmate Joseph R. Smith "pg. 256-7 "Some sensation was created by the departure from college for Europe of Whiting, Witherell, Palmer and James. Well the party above named started for Europe. Perhaps the Senator from Michigan may be induced to give us the true story of that trip. Rumors among the students recited a wonderful tale of their adventures. It was understood that, at times out of money, these adventurous Americans lined their purses by delivering to the Spanish hidalgos lectures on alchemy, astrology and similar recondite subjects; it was currently believed that one or more of them, in their capacity of distinguished foreigners from the United States attended sundry balls at the Alhambra, danced with the Infanta and other Spanish senoritas of the bluest blood, and that bloodshed along presented those royal and noble ladies from deserting the court of the Spanish King to share the fortunes of their American lovers!" |
(4) Rochester Daily Democrat pg 3 Col. 3 Sep 20, 1852
"Married: On the 15th inst., at the Third Presbyterian Church, by the
Pastor, W. P. C. Whiting, Esq. of Buffalo, and Sarah E. Hall, of this
city."
(5) On November 22, 1854 his residence was listed for sale in the Buffalo Daily Courier. "For Sale. A Modern Built Two Story Brick House on the easterly side of Oak street, south of Clinton. Supplied with gas, cold and hot water, etc. Price $3500. Terms easy. Apply to W. P. C. Whiting at the office of Ford & Whiting No 3 South Division street."
(6) Death Certificate for Frances Whiting Moore
(7) San Francisco City Directories
1861 Whiting, W.P.C. (Watson & W.) dwell 110 S Powell
1862-63 Whiting, William P.C. (Wattson & W.) dwl SE cor Dupont and Bush
1865-66 Whiting W.P.C. (Crockett, W. & Wiggins) attorney at law, office 3 Exchange Building, dwl W s Howard bet Eighth and Ninth
1867-68 Whiting W. P.C. (Crockett, W. & Naphtaly) attorney-at-law, office 3, 4 and 5 Exchange Building dwl Lombard nr Kearny
1869 Whiting (W.P.C.) Naphtaly (Joseph) & Neumann (Paul) attorneys at law,
office 411 California
Whiting, William P.C. (Whiting,
Naphtaly & Neumann) res Oakland
1871 Whiting, Naphtaly & Neumann (William P. C. Whiting, Joseph Naphtaly and
Paul Neumann) attorneys at law, office 430 Cal
1872 Whiting, William P.C. office 430 California res Walnut Creek, Contra
Costa Co.
1873 Whiting W.P.C. Whiting & Naphtaly, res Brooklyn, Alameda Co.
Whiting & Naphtaly, W.P.C. Whiting and Joseph Naphtaly attorneys at law,
office 430 California
1874 Whiting W.P.C. Whiting & Napthaly, dwl Cosmopolitan Hotel
Whiting & Napthaly W.P.C. Whiting and Joseph Napthaly, attorneys at law,
1875 Whiting, Naphtaly & Neumann (William P.C. Whiting, Joseph Naphtaly and
Paul Neumann) attorneys at law, office 430 Cal
Whiting, William P.C. (Whiting, Naphtaly &Neumann) res Oakland
(8) Obituary courtesy of Dick Miller at
[email protected]
Yesterday morning, at his residence, No. 14 Turk Street, W. P. C.
Whiting, an able and esteemed member of the San Francisco Bar, and at one time
its leading member, departed this life. His death was caused by a
lingering attack of consumption. By those who knew him he was considered a
thorough gentleman. His reputation as a lawyer was excellent. His
funeral will take place this afternoon at 2 p.m., from his residence.
Rochester Daily Union July 13, 1874, P 3, Col 5, DIED "At San Francisco, Thursday, July 2, of consumption. W.P.C. Whiting."
California-Nevada
Historical Research, Newspaper Death Notices, 1863-1930
fhl film #
1598458 image 789
(9)
| In 1885, his son-in-law Edward J. McCutchen,(husband of his daughter, Elizabeth,) attorney at law, wrote to Lebbeus Foster Spencer in Spencerport about "Mr. Whiting's effects." |
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