James Cobb White

James Cobb White (29 November 1855 – 18 January 1927) was an Australian grazier and politician, predominantly in New South Wales.

He was born at the property Edinglassie, near Muswellbrook, to pastoralist Frank White and Mary Hannah Cobb, the second of five brothers. He also had a younger sister, Mary Sarah. He received a private education, initially at Newcastle Grammar School and then in Sydney. On leaving school he worked at the Commercial Bank of Australia. On his father's death in 1875 James entered into a partnership with his elder brother Francis, operating a number of properties, including Edinglassie, while his younger brothers Henry, William, Arthur, and Victor, formed a partnership that operated another family property, Belltrees. James married Emiline Eliza Ebsworth on 13 April 1882 and they had five children, 2 daughters and 3 sons. In a dynastic union, Henry and Arthur married sisters of Emiline, Henry married Louisa Maude in 1887 and Arthur married Millicent in 1893. He was recognised as an authority on Aberdeen Angus and as a breeder of stud cattle, including Durham shorthorn, Devon, Hereford and horses, including Welsh ponies and light Clydesdales. He had a reputation for locating suitable places for sinking a well using a divining rod. (renamed Muswellbrook in 1907), serving as shire president in 1924. He was President of the Muswellbrook Agricultural and Pastoral Association, Upper Hunter Pastoral and Agricultural Association and chairman of the Denman Pastures Protection Board. He did not regularly attend parliament.

Emmaline died on 1 December 1926, and White died at Edinglassie the following month (aged 71).

His father, uncle James, and nephew Harold also served in the Parliament of New South Wales. He was an uncle of the writer Patrick White, however they were not close.