Benjamin F. White (Montana politician)
Encyclopedia
Benjamin Franklin White (December 3, 1838 – December 4, 1920) was an American lawyer, banker, and politician. He lived in California and Idaho Territory
before moving to Montana Territory
and founding the city of Dillon
. White was the final governor of Montana Territory and his administration primarily oversaw the transition for territory to statehood
.
on December 3, 1838. He was educated at the Pierce Academy in Middleborough, Massachusetts
until the age of 18 when to took a job as a sailor. After two voyages he arrived at California in 1856 and gave up his life at sea. The next year 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
. There he became involved in producing salt. Two years after his arrival to Idaho, he was admitted to the bar
. From 1868 through 1869 he was Clerk
for the United States District Court
. For one of these year he was also Recorder of Oneida County
. In addition to his government positions, White became Vice President of the First National Bank of Caldwell.
in 1876. Four years later, with the aid of a business partner, he founded the city of Dillon
. There he served as Mayor of Dillon for two terms, founder and President of the First National Bank of Dillon. Additionally he was elected to a two year term in the Montana Territorial legislature in 1882.
On February 14, 1879, White married Elizabeth Davis. The marriage produced four children: Carolyn, Emrys, Ralph, and Margaret.
The United States Senate
confirmed White to become Governor of Montana Territory on March 29, 1889. The new governor was unaffiliated 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.
The Enabling Act of 1889
had already been passed by the time White took office, and his administration primarily dealt with the process of converting Montana from a territory to a state. He issued a proclamation calling for an election of delegates to a convention to create a state constitution
. This was followed by a second election to ratify the proposed constitution. White's term as governor ended on November 8, 1889 when Montana was admitted to the Union.
and from 1904 till 1908 in the Montana Senate
. White died in Dillon, Montana on December 4, 1920.
Idaho Territory
The Territory of Idaho was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 4, 1863, until July 3, 1890, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Idaho.-1860s:...
before moving to Montana Territory
Montana Territory
The Territory of Montana was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 28, 1864, until November 8, 1889, when it was admitted to the Union as the State of Montana.-History:...
and founding the city of Dillon
Dillon, Montana
- Notable residents :* Ed Barker - NFL wide receiver - Washington Redskins* Cree Paul - [Where is she now?]* Charles Xavier Larrabee - owner of the nearby stock ranch Brooknook.* Lloyd Meeds - Politician, lobbyist, and navy officer....
. White was the final governor of Montana Territory and his administration primarily oversaw the transition for territory to statehood
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
.
Background
White was born to Benjamin and Caroline (Stockbridge) White in New Bedford, MassachusettsNew Bedford, Massachusetts
New Bedford is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States, located south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and about east of Fall River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 95,072, making it the sixth-largest city in Massachusetts...
on December 3, 1838. He was educated at the Pierce Academy in Middleborough, Massachusetts
Middleborough, Massachusetts
Middleborough is a town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 21,117 as of 2008.For geographic and demographic information on the village of Middleborough Center, please see the article Middleborough Center, Massachusetts....
until the age of 18 when to took a job as a sailor. After two voyages he arrived at California in 1856 and gave up his life at sea. The next year he took a position overseeing a large fruit farm in the Napa Valley
Napa County, California
Napa County is a county located north of the San Francisco Bay Area in the U.S. state of California. It is coterminous with the Napa, California, Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010 the population is 136,484. The county seat is Napa....
.
In 1866, White moved from California and settled in Malad City, Idaho Territory
Malad City, Idaho
For the Mumbai, India Suburb, see Malad .Malad City is the only city in and the county seat of Oneida County, Idaho, United States. Its population was 2,158 at the 2000 census....
. There he became involved in producing salt. Two years after his arrival to Idaho, he was admitted to the bar
Admission to the bar in the United States
In the United States, admission to the bar is the granting of permission by a particular court system to a lawyer to practice law in that system. Each U.S. state and similar jurisdiction has its own court system and sets its own rules for bar admission , which can lead to different admission...
. From 1868 through 1869 he was Clerk
Court clerk
A court clerk is an officer of the court whose responsibilities include maintaining the records of a court. Another duty is to administer oaths to witnesses, jurors, and grand jurors...
for the United States District Court
United States district court
The United States district courts are the general trial courts of the United States federal court system. Both civil and criminal cases are filed in the district court, which is a court of law, equity, and admiralty. There is a United States bankruptcy court associated with each United States...
. For one of these year he was also Recorder of Oneida County
Recorder of deeds
Recorder of deeds is a government office tasked with maintaining public records and documents, especially records relating to real estate ownership that provide persons other than the owner of a property with real rights over that property.-Background:...
. In addition to his government positions, White became Vice President of the First National Bank of Caldwell.
Montana
White left for Montana TerritoryMontana Territory
The Territory of Montana was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 28, 1864, until November 8, 1889, when it was admitted to the Union as the State of Montana.-History:...
in 1876. Four years later, with the aid of a business partner, he founded the city of Dillon
Dillon, Montana
- Notable residents :* Ed Barker - NFL wide receiver - Washington Redskins* Cree Paul - [Where is she now?]* Charles Xavier Larrabee - owner of the nearby stock ranch Brooknook.* Lloyd Meeds - Politician, lobbyist, and navy officer....
. There he served as Mayor of Dillon for two terms, founder and President of the First National Bank of Dillon. Additionally he was elected to a two year term in the Montana Territorial legislature in 1882.
On February 14, 1879, White married Elizabeth Davis. The marriage produced four children: Carolyn, Emrys, Ralph, and Margaret.
The United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
confirmed White to become Governor of Montana Territory on March 29, 1889. The new governor was unaffiliated with any specific segment of the territorial Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
and President Benjamin Harrison
Benjamin Harrison
Benjamin Harrison was the 23rd President of the United States . Harrison, a grandson of President William Henry Harrison, was born in North Bend, Ohio, and moved to Indianapolis, Indiana at age 21, eventually becoming a prominent politician there...
had made the nomination as a compromise between competing candidates from the various factions. White took office on April 9, 1889.
The Enabling Act of 1889
Enabling Act of 1889
The Enabling Act of 1889 is a United States statute that enabled North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and Washington to form state governments and to gain admission as states of the union....
had already been passed by the time White took office, and his administration primarily dealt with the process of converting Montana from a territory to a state. He issued a proclamation calling for an election of delegates to a convention to create a state constitution
Constitutional convention (political meeting)
A constitutional convention is now a gathering for the purpose of writing a new constitution or revising an existing constitution. A general constitutional convention is called to create the first constitution of a political unit or to entirely replace an existing constitution...
. This was followed by a second election to ratify the proposed constitution. White's term as governor ended on November 8, 1889 when Montana was admitted to the Union.
Later life
After leaving office, White worked as President of White Investment Company. He also remained active in politics, serving from 1902 till 1904 as Speaker of the Montana House of RepresentativesMontana House of Representatives
The Montana House of Representatives is, with the Montana Senate, one of the two houses of the Montana Legislature. Composed of 100 members, the House elects its leadership every two years.-Composition of the House:...
and from 1904 till 1908 in the Montana Senate
Montana Senate
The Montana Senate is the upper house of the Montana State Legislature, the state legislative branch of the U.S. state of Montana. The body is composed of 50 senators.-Composition of the Senate:-Officers:*Majority Whip: Greg Barkus...
. White died in Dillon, Montana on December 4, 1920.