Benjamin White (1790-1860) a U.S. Representative, was born in Goshen (now Vienna) May 13, 1790. He attended the common schools, moved to Winthrop in 1802 and was employed on a farm until 1808 when he entered Farmington Academy.
White taught school for several years. During the War of 1812 he was in Augusta and assisted in raising troops. He later served as a non-commissioned officer with troops stationed at Castine and Eastport. Again teaching in Montville until 1821, he also engaged in the sawmill business and agricultural pursuits.
The Biographical Directory of the United States Congress notes that served as town selectman and as member of the Maine House of Representatives in 1829, 1841, and 1842. The Maine legislature also lists him as Speaker of the Maine House in 1832, the first member of “The Democratic Party” to serve as Speaker.
White was elected as a Democrat to the Twenty-eighth Congress (March 4, 1843-March 3, 1845). He then resumed his former pursuits until he died in Montville on June 7, 1860, with interment in Halldale Cemetery, North Montville.
Additional resources
Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
Benjamin White Congressional Biography: https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/W000357 (accessed January 14, 2021)
Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives 1820-. http://www.maine.gov/legis/lawlib/speak.htm (accessed January 2, 2013)