Benjamin F. White | |
---|---|
9th Governor of Montana Territory | |
In office April 9, 1889 – November 8, 1889 |
|
Appointed by | Benjamin Harrison |
Preceded by | Preston Leslie |
Succeeded by |
Joseph Toole as state Governor |
6th Lieutenant Governor of Montana | |
In office 1908–1909 |
|
Governor | Edwin L. Norris |
Preceded by | Edwin L. Norris |
Succeeded by | William R. Allen |
Member of the Montana House of Representatives | |
Member of the Montana Senate | |
In office 1904-1908 |
|
Personal details | |
Born |
New Bedford, Massachusetts |
December 3, 1838
Died | December 4, 1920 Dillon Montana |
(aged 82)
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) | Elizabeth Davis |
Benjamin Franklin White (December 3, 1838 – December 4, 1920) was an American lawyer, banker, and politician. He was the final Governor of the Montana Territory.
White was born to Benjamin and Caroline (Stockbridge) White in New Bedford, Massachusetts on December 3, 1838. He was educated at the Pierce Academy in Middleborough, Massachusetts until the age of 18 when he took a job as a sailor.
After two voyages he arrived in California in 1856 and gave up his life at sea. In 1857, he took a position overseeing a large fruit farm in the Napa Valley.
In 1866, White moved from California and settled in Malad City, Idaho Territory, and became involved in producing salt. He studied law, and two years after his arrival in Idaho, he was admitted to the bar. From 1868 to 1869, he was Clerk for the United States District Court. He was also Recorder of Oneida County. In addition to his government positions, White became Vice President of the First National Bank of Caldwell.
White left for the Montana Territory in 1876. Four years later, with the aid of a business partner, he founded the city of Dillon. He served as Mayor of Dillon for two terms. He served as founder and President of the First National Bank of Dillon. White was elected to a two year term in the Montana Territorial legislature in 1882.
The United States Senate confirmed White as Governor of the Montana Territory on March 29, 1889. White was not affiliated with any specific segment of the territorial Republican Party, and President Benjamin Harrison had made the nomination as a compromise between competing candidates from the various factions. White took office on April 9, 1889.