Riverside County
Biographies
Benjamin Frederick White
Benjamin Frederick White, county coroner of
Riverside county and formerly chief of police of the
city of Blythe, is a product of the west, for he was born on a farm in Chehalis
county, Washington, January 4, 1891. His father, Frederick A. White, a native
of New York state, came to the Pacific coast as a young man, casting in his lot
with the pioneers of Washington, and figured prominently in educational circles
of that state as superintendent of the schools of Chehalis county. His life was
guided by the teachings of the Presbyterian Church, in which he was an elder.
In the Empire state he married Katie J. Smith, also a native of New York, and
they became the parents of six children, all of whom are living. The mother
still resides in Riverside but the father passed away in 1925.
In early childhood Benjamin F. White
removed with his parents to Elsinore, Riverside county,
where the father continued his educational work. At Elsinore his son Benjamin
completed his grammar school education and in 1905 came with the family to
Riverside. Here he attended high school until his graduation and in 1909 took
up a homestead, clearing and developing the land. Farming occupied his
attention until 1917, when he enlisted for service in the World war, joining
the United States Marine Corps, and was mustered out in 1919. He then resumed
agricultural pursuits, which he followed in Riverside county
until September, 1922, when he was called to public office, becoming chief of
police of Hemet. On the completion of his term of two years he returned to
Blythe, where he was chief of police until elected coroner of Riverside county on the 5th of January, 1931, and his work
in this connection has been equally thorough and creditable.
In 1919 Mr. White married Miss Lelia Harris of Napa, California, and they now have two
sons, Frederick M. and Benjamin Franklin. Mr. White is active in the affairs of
the American Legion and also belongs to the Knights of Pythias
and the Lions Club. Reared a Presbyterian, he has ever been a conscientious
follower of the teachings of the church and contributes liberally to its
support. He has been faithful to every duty and loyal to every trust reposed in
him, and his personal popularity is attested by a wide circle of stanch
friends, by whom he is affectionately termed “Ben.”
Transcribed By:
Cecelia M. Setty.
Source: California
of the South Vol. II,
by John Steven McGroarty, Pages 481-482,
Clarke Publ., Chicago, Los Angeles,
Indianapolis. 1933.
© 2012 Cecelia
M. Setty.
GOLDEN NUGGET'S RIVERSIDE
BIOGRAPHIES