William Searing Whitehead was born at
Boonton, New Jersey, September 10, 1866.
He was reared chiefly in Michigan, where his
father was in business and obtained a
common school education. He spent six
years with a drug firm in Kalamazoo,
Michigan, and became a licensed drug clerk
in 1885. From Michigan he came to Boise,
establishing himself in the drug business. His
drug store was in business in one location in
Boise for nearly three decades.