Biography of Joseph H. White
Joseph H. White, born on April 1, 1872, in Union, Maine, is the Commissioner of Public Works for Woonsocket, Rhode Island. He is the son of Jonathan and Mary A. (Burkett) White. Educated in Union and at Colburn Classical Institute in Waterville, Maine, White gained practical engineering experience with the St. Georges Valley Railroad. His career began in Watertown, Massachusetts, where he served as town engineer until 1912. Moving to Woonsocket in 1916, he became assistant engineer and was appointed city engineer in 1929. White oversees engineering, water, highways, sewers, parks, and playgrounds. He is a member of several Masonic organizations and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. White married Bessie Bell Shurtleff, and they have a daughter, Cynthia. They reside at 100 Social Street, Woonsocket.