Ferris M. White (July 29, 1862-March 2, 1940) was born in Prescott, Wisconsin, the son of a local attorney, Joseph Spencer White. He was educated in the schools of the community and read law in a local law office. From 1880 to 1886 he operated a farm in Traverse County, Minnesota. In August 1886, he was admitted to the bar at Breckinridge, Minnesota, and practiced in that state for several years. In October 1890, he moved to River Falls, Wisconsin, where he established a law practice. Two years later he married Mary Elizabeth Foster (1867-1934), the daughter of Joel Foster, the first settler in the community. The Whites had three children, Kenneth S., Shirley, and Ruth. In 1921, Ferris M. White was appointed by the state supreme court as a member of the Board of Law Examiners and he became the Board's chairman in 1927. In addition, he was the City Attorney for River Falls for a time, and served as a trustee of the League of Wisconsin Municipalities. From 1933 to 1935 he was the (Pierce and St. Croix) County Attorney for the Home Owners' Loan Corporation. Throughout his career he also held other elective and honorific positions.
Although Ferris M. White was a Democrat in politics, his son, Kenneth S., entered the state Republican party and held several elective and appointive offices. Kenneth S. (January 17, 1897-1976) attended the Teachers' College at River Falls and enrolled in the Law School at the University of Minnesota. He entered military service in 1917 and served with the A.E.F. in France. After his discharge he continued his law work at the University of Wisconsin. He graduated in 1921 and became a partner in his father's law firm.
Kenneth S. White was District Attorney of Pierce County for two terms and for three terms served as a member of the County Board. At one time he was President of the St. Croix-Pierce County Bar Association. In 1936, he was a delegate to the National Republican Convention. In that year he was elected as a state senator for Buffalo, Pepin, Pierce, and St. Croix counties. While in the state senate he served on the Senate Committee of the Judiciary and was active in legislation for improved educational facilities and opportunities within the state.
Kenneth White also was active in the state's National Guard. In 1940, when it became apparent that the National Guard would be called into active service, White did not run for re-election. In October 1940, as a Lieutenant Colonel, White commanded a convoy of Guard members to their encampment in Louisiana. White was released from service in 1944 as a Major, Battalion Commander of the 2nd Battalion, 120th Field Artillery of the Guard. Two years later White announced his candidacy for the Lieutenant Governorship prior to the Republican party convention at Oshkosh, Wisconsin. At the party convention he lost the endorsement to Oscar Rennebohm.
Kenneth S. White and his wife, Helen Kyle had two sons, John Spencer and Charles.
