Fresno County Biographies

J. Riggs White

Submitted by Sally Kaleta, May, 2007

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


	J. Riggs White is a descendant of a distinguished New England 
family. His father, John White of Maine, was of the rich Puritan stock, and 
marrying a daughter of Benjamin Riggs, also of Maine, reared a vigorous family 
of nine children, who were destined to make their mark in the world. The family 
home was in Georgetown, Maine; and at that place J. Riggs White was born 
December 9, 1827. He received his education at Georgetown and Auburn, near 
Lewiston, and after completing his studies took up the carpenter's trade, which 
he followed three years. In 1848 young White decided to try his fortune in 
California, and in December of that year, with a party of Bath friends, he left 
for New York from which place they sailed in a schooner which they chartered for 
that purpose to Chagres. From there they went by boat to Gorgona, and walked the 
remaining distance to Panama. The next question was, how to get to San 
Francisco. For three weeks they searched for means of transportation, and 
finally enlarging the company, which had previously consisted of some thirty 
members, they secured and English bark, called the John Richardson, which they 
chartered, and in which they landed safe in San Francisco May 18, 1849, after a 
voyage ninety-two days. Mr. White at once started for the gold mines. He visited 
Stockton and traveled all through the San Joaquin Valley. At one time he left 
his mining party on the Tuolumne River, and ran a ferry-boat there for a while, 
subsequently returning to the mines. Mr. White is distinctly a pioneer. He is 
probably the first man now living in Fresno, who visited the San Joaquin Valley 
and the section of country described in this work. He relates many incidents of 
the Indian depredations, and also the timely work of Major Savage during that 
period. He frequently met the Major and knew him well. In December, 1849, Mr. 
White went to Stockton and built a house, after which he went to San Francisco 
and worked at his trade for a few months. Then returning to Stockton, he went 
from that place to the mines near Sonora and mined successfully some months. 
About this time there was a general outbreak among the French, Italians, and 
Spanish half-breeds, who, as they witnessed the prosperity and rapid settlement 
of the Americans in California, threatened to drive them all out of the country. 
Mr. White again returned to Stockton, where, with his brother, who had come to 
the coast in 1850, he engaged in the merchandise business in a small way. In the 
fall of 1850, he invested in stock and went to Mariposa County. A dry year 
followed, and he sold out at a great sacrifice. Again the mines attracted him, 
and he went to what was called Dry Diggings, remaining there a short time. For a 
period of sixteen years he lived in this mining district, although mining but a 
portion of the time. He filled the position of under-sheriff in the Mariposa 
district for a number of years, and relates many thrilling incidents which 
occurred during those troublesome times. For one year he took charge of the 
stage line between Gilroy and Sageland. In 1867 he went to Tulare and engaged in 
ranching and building houses; thence to White's Bridge, where he turned his 
attention to merchandising and sheep-raising. The latter place Mr. White made 
his home for eighteen years, and was eminently successful in his business 
operations there. In 1885 the subject of our sketch moved to Fresno, and 
carefully invested in property in this city, which has yielded him a handsome 
return. He is a director of the Fresno Loan and Savings Bank; president of the 
Street Car Railroad Company, and is identified with most of the business 
corporations of the city of Fresno. His name is eagerly sought for in 
establishing enterprises of any magnitude, as his endorsement means a distinct 
gain at the outset. Mr. White owns valuable property in Fresno, and is 
interested in a large wheat ranch of 17,000 acres in this valley. He also owns 
two fine ranches near Stockton, which are devoted to the production of wheat and 
vegetables, besides having extensive warehouses in that city. In political 
matters he is a prominent factor, being a strong advocate of the American party. 
With Thomas E. Hughes and others, he is closely identified with this movement in 
Fresno. Mr. White has been twice married. By his first wife, nee Mary Jane Low, 
of Indiana, he had three children. The eldest son, John J. White, now occupies a 
prominent position among the business men of Fresno. The maiden name of his 
present wife was Miss Richie, and by her he also had three children. The 
residence of the White family is one of the finest in Fresno, the grounds 
surrounding it being particularly attractive and giving evidence of the taste 
and refinement of the owner. This home is located at the corner of L and 
Stanislaus Streets. He is a member of the Masonic order, which he joined in 1854 
at Hornitos, in Mariposa County, in Hornitos Lodge, No. 96. He belongs to the 
Blue Lodge, chapter and commandery in Fresno. 

Source: "The Memorial and Biographical History of the County of Fresno, Tulare 
and Kern, California," Lewis Publ. Co., 1892, pp. 434-435.