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 OHN W. KING, proprietor of a popular restaurant located at No. 46 East Broadway, Mattoon, is a descendant of one of the pioneers of Illinois. He was born Dec. 26, 1848, and is the son of William T. and Nancy (Hightower) King, the former a native of North and the latter of South Carolina. His great-grandfather served in the Revolutionary War. His paternal grandparents, Andrew S. and Hannah (Gaddess) King, were natives of North Carolina. In early life Andrew King served in the War of 1812. He was a farmer, and in the year 1814, moved with his family to Shelby County, Tenn., where he remained engaged in farming until 1832, then coming to Montgomery County, Ill., entered Government land, which he cultivated and improved, and, together with his brave and self-sacrificing wife, encountered the perils and hardships of pioneer life on the Western frontier. He made this farm the homestead, and remained there until his death, which occurred in 1856, at the age of seventy-two. His wife died in 1852. His maternal grandparents, Sterling and Beersheba (Davis) Hightower, were natives of South Carolina. Mr. Hightower was a teacher, and the family subsequently left their native State, and removed to Shelby County, Tenn., where they passed the remainder of their lives. William T. King was born Aug. 13, 1805, and was nine years old when his parents moved to Tennessee. He received a practical education, and remained at home assisting his father in conducting the farm until he was twenty-six years of age. His marriage then took place, and the following year he came with his young wife to Illinois, where they were among the early settlers of Montgomery County, near Hillsboro. Mr. King entered Government land, which he cultivated and improved, and while struggling with the wilderness to advance the material prospects of his family, did not forget the higher interests of spiritual and mental culture. He was a member of the Methodist Church, and with his wife was an earnest worker in building up the cause of Christ in his Western home. He took a deep interest in educational affairs, and served several terms as School Director. Mr. and Mrs. William King had a family of twelve children born to them, six of whom grew to maturity, but only three sons are now living. Their record is as follows: James A., a carpenter residing in Montgomery County, Ill.; John W., the subject of this sketch, and Thomas H., the proprietor of a restaurant in Champaign County, Ill. William King died at the old homestead where he had lived for more than a half a century, respected by all who knew him. His widow is now living at the home of her son, John W., in Mattoon, having reached the advanced age of seventy-four years. She has passed through many trials and vicissitudes, but her faith has ever rested upon Him who will not forsake her now that her head is crowned with gray hairs, and her life with many years. John King attended school from the age of seven to fifteen, in the meantime assisting his father in conducting the farm. He remained at home until he reached the age of eighteen, and then for a time obtained employment on the neighboring farms. In 1871 he was married to Miss Melinda E. Hume. Mrs. King is the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Mason) Hume, and was born in Pike County, Ill. Mr. Hume was a farmer in this State, and at the call of his country left his business and family to serve in the Civil War. He belonged to the 116th Illinois Regiment, and in 1864 died at a hospital in Chicago, of illness resulting from wounds and exposure while in the army. Mr. King left his native county in 1873, and removed to Jacksonville, where he took charge of the farm and fine stock belonging to Mr. Goltrie. But his inclinations and business abilities did not lie in the direction of agricultural pursuits, and after remaining there two years he came to Mattoon, where he was employed by the I. & St. L. R. R. as fireman, for four years and six months. He was then promoted to the position of locomotive engineer, and remained with them until 1884, when he opened his present business, in which he has met with marked success. In 1886 Mr. King was elected Assistant Supervisor by the Democratic party, of which he is a member. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias and Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. Mr. and Mrs. King are members of the Methodist Church, in which the former has been a Steward since 1886. |
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