James Wharton White
James Wharton White | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date |
| Died | January 30, 1930 (aged 72) |
| Occupation(s) | Auctioneer, pastoralist, politician |
| Known for | Member of the South Australian House of Assembly for Light (1890–1896) |
James Wharton White (17 February 1857 – 30 January 1930), commonly referred to as "Wharton White," was a colonial South Australian auctioneer, pastoralist, and politician who spent his later life in Western Australia.
He was the firstborn child of Abraham White (circa 1828 – 1885), a farmer and railway contractor based at "Illawarra," Bagot's Well, and Mary Wharton. His uncle, James "Nobby" White (circa 1820–1890), was a notable figure in pastoralism and politics.
White received his education at James Hosking's Gouger Street Academy before gaining four years of experience working with John McLaren at the auctioneering company McLaren, White & Co. He also managed a sheep station located approximately north of Pinnaroo.
In 1881, he became involved in a legal conflict concerning the lease later known as Appatoongannie, opposing John "Jack" Neaylon. The dispute escalated to the Court of Appeal of England and Wales, where White and his associate Thomas Neaylon (John's brother) were ultimately unsuccessful.
From April 1890 until April 1896, he represented the electoral district of Light in the Assembly, serving alongside Jenkin Coles.
During a visit to Western Australia's goldfields in 1894, White and Mr. Thring staked a claim at Kurnalpie near Coolgardie. They initially uncovered a rich gold deposit but found no substantial ore at greater depths. After returning to South Australia, he collaborated with Alexander Poynton and James Henderson Howe to secure the lease for the "Angipena Treasure Mine" from Frank Denford—a mine previously tainted by fraudulent salting practices.
Prior to 1897, White moved permanently to Western Australia, establishing residence in Esperance. There, he served as a Rabbit Fence Inspector until his passing at Esperance Hospital.
Family
James Wharton White (17 February 1857 – 30 January 1930) was married twice: first to Sophie Agnes Geier in Kapunda and subsequently to Mary Gycer in Kalgoorlie. His offspring included:
- Arthur Wharton White (29 March 1886 – 21 July 1955), who worked as a railways fettler in Western Australia and married Elise May Jones in Kalgoorlie in 1914
- James Wharton White (circa 1899 – 14 December 1975), who married Jessie Dalrymple Aitken in 1931