Among the public officials of Lincoln County is Joseph F. White, who is now serving as sheriff. A native of Iowa, he was born in Allamakee County, July 4, 1854, and traces his ancestry back to the Emerald Isle, whence his grandfather, Andrew White, emigrated with his family to New Orleans. For many years he was engaged in merchandising in the Crescent City, and at an early day in the history of Ohio removed to that state, where Joseph P. White, the father of our subject, was born and reared. He married Sarah Heffron, a native of Ireland, and later they removed to Allamakee county, Iowa, where the father engaged in farming and merchandising. He died in 1879, at the age of seventy-two years, and his wife departed this life in the forty-second year of her age. They were the parents of three children, all yet living.
Joseph F. White, whose name introduces this review, was educated in the public schools of his native county and reared to manhood on the home farm, in the development and cultivation of which he assisted from the time he was old enough to handle the plow. In 1875 he went to Colorado, where he engaged in mining and prospecting. In 1880 he became a resident of Montana and engaged in the meat business in Dillon. He also spent some time in Deer Lodge and Silver Bow, and in 1883 came to Shoshone, where he again established a meat market and soon secured a liberal patronage in that line. He has also been identified with many other leading business interests of the town and county. He has erected several residences in Shoshone and is the owner of an excellent ranch of four hundred acres near the town, upon which he raises hay for his extensive herd of cattle. These varied business interests are bringing him excellent financial returns as the result of diligence, a careful management and honorable methods.
On the 3d of December 1883, Mr. White was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Keefer, daughter of Joseph Keefer of Nebraska, and they now have two sons, Gilbert and Walter the former now attending college in Salt Lake City, while the other is a student in the high school in Shoshone. The family are held in high regard in the community and the members of the household occupy enviable positions in social circles.
In his political views Mr. White has always been a stalwart Republican, and when Lincoln County was created he was appointed sheriff, since which time he has twice been elected sheriff, serving six years in all. He has been a brave and efficient officer, discharging his duties in a most fearless manner and thus proving a bulwark to the community, his efforts resulting in the replacement of lawlessness by peace and tranquility. He was instrumental in breaking up one of the worst gangs of horse and cattle thieves that ever infested the state. They had their headquarters at Shoshone and he arrested them and later took a number of their leaders to the state penitentiary. Socially Mr. White is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, has filled all the offices in the lodge and has been representative to the grand lodge. He has also passed all the chairs in the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is an upright and reliable citizen, true to all the duties of business, official and private life, and his sterling worth has gained him high regard.