William Joshua White, barrister and police magistrate, is a native of London, Eng., and was born February 23, 1828. His father, Thomas White, was a silent partner for years in a commercial house, London, England, and his cousin, James White, was a member of the English House of Commons for Brighton.
William was educated in the Stockwell high school; in 1844 emigrated to Upper Canada; and was a clerk for two years in a St. Thomas bank, and has been a resident of this town since arriving in the Province; was a general merchant from 1849 to 1856; was clerk and treasurer of the municipality of the township of Yarmouth and Adelaide; commenced studying law with Edward Horton in 1860; was called to the Bar at Michaelmas term in 1865, and has had a law office from that date, practicing in the County Court, and the Superior and Chancery Courts, and doing a good business, having in large measure the confidence of the people.
Mr. White was a member of the town council two years, and in 1873 was appointed police magistrate, which office he yet holds, and the duties of which he discharges with promptness and general satisfaction. In politics he early espoused the cause of the “Grits” or Reformers, and was an enthusiastic worker in the ranks of that party, until his appointment to his present office. He is a Chapter Mason, and has bean master of the blue lodge, and secretary of the Chapter. He holds his christian membership in Trinity Episcopal church, and bears a good character.
April 22, 1847, Sarah Van Buskirk, daughter of Henry Van Buskirk, formerly of Nova Scotia, became the wife of Mr. White, and they have ten children living, and have buried two.