Dickinson Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and
Biographical Album of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and
Marion Counties-George W. King
Portrait and Biographical
Album of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and Marion
Counties
Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1893
GEORGE W. KING was born near Brighton,
Canada, April 27, 1849, and died while
occupying the position of Superintendent of
the County Farm, October 20, 1890, respected by
all who knew him. He was a son of George and
Henrietta (Jenkins) King, the former a native of
Syracuse, N. Y., and the latter of England.
In his native country our subject was reared to
manhood and there resided until Ins removal to
Kansas. Previous to that time he had visited this
State and had seen the farm on which his family now
resides. He had also bought and sold several
other farms in this community. For some time he
was connected with Chase Bros., stock shippers of
Rochester, N. Y., and after coming to Dickinson
County established a branch of their farm here.
In February, 1878, he purchased a homestead and
made all the improvements upon it. He also extended
its boundaries by the purchase of an additional
one hundred and sixty acre tract, and engaged
quite extensively in stock-raising, making a
specialty of cattle and hogs. Many improvements
he placed upon his farm, all of which stand as
monuments to his thrift .and enterprise. On one
occasion he suffered great loss by a prairie fire
which had been carelessly kindled and, carried by
a high wind, spread rapidly, causing great destruction.
He thereby lost his barn, his orchard, hedges
and some beautiful evergreens and pines which
adorned his yard.
On the 16th of March, 1870, in Colborne, Northumberland
County, Ontario, Mr. King wedded Isabella
Ingalls, a native of that place, born December
23, 1848. They became the parents of five children:
Bertha, aged nineteen; Jessie, aged sixteen;
Effie, fourteen years of age; Helen, a maiden of
ten; and Ethan, three years old. The two eldest
daughters are students in the Solomon City High
School, and Miss Bertha will graduate in the Class
of '93
Mr. King was an ardent Republican and served
as Township Trustee. He afterward became an
active worker in the Alliance, was President of the
local Alliance and was the first President of the
County Alliance. In 1886, he was selected by the
Board of Commissioners as Superintendent of the
County Farm and filled that position for three
years, when the demands of his own farm, situated
two miles northeast of Solomon City, became so
imperative that he found it necessary to assume
personal charge, and resigned his position. After
about seventeen months, however, the Commissioners
decided that Mr. King must return, and he
at length acceded to repeated appeals and again
assumed the arduous duties of Superintendent, but
after seven weeks he succumbed to the ravages of
disease, which his heavy duties brought upon him,
and passed away October 20, 1890. The funeral
was conducted in Solomon City, in the Presbyterian
Church, under the direction of the Ancient
Order of United Workmen and Select Knights, assisted
by the Alliance, of which bodies he was a
highly respected member. His remains were
interred in Prairie Mound Cemetery. He was a
prominent citizen and his loss was deeply felt.
Mr. King was a clear-headed business man, upright
and honorable in his dealings, and had the
confidence of all. He was generous to a fault and
to the sacrifice of his own interests would accommodate
a friend. Though he lost considerable
by acting as security, he could never resist the
pleadings of a friend and his aid was cheerfully
given. He was very popular and had the love of
all. His widow and family now occupy the beautiful
home in Lincoln Township, which commands
a fine view of the lovely valley of Smoky Hill.
(c) 2009 Sheryl McClure for
Dickinson County KS AHGP