| Benjamin F. White | |
|---|---|
| 9th Governor of Montana Territory | |
| In office April 9, 1889 – November 8, 1889 |
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| Appointed by | Benjamin Harrison |
| Preceded by | Preston Leslie |
| Succeeded by | Joseph Toole as state Governor |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 3, 1838 New Bedford, Massachusetts |
| Died | December 4, 1920 (aged 82) Dillon Montana |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Elizabeth Davis |
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.
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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 to took a job as a sailor.[1] 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.[2]
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.[2] 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.[1]
White left for Montana Territory 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.[2]
On February 14, 1879, White married Elizabeth Davis. The marriage produced four children: Carolyn, Emrys, Ralph, and Margaret.[2]
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.[2] White took office on April 9, 1889.[3]
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.[2]
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 Representatives and from 1904 till 1908 in the Montana Senate. White died in Dillon, Montana on December 4, 1920.[2]
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