fbpx
Wikipedia

William S. King

August 01, 2023

For the Union Army officer, see William Sterling King.

William Smith King (December 16, 1828 – February 24, 1900) was a Republican U.S. Representative for Minnesota from March 4, 1875, to March 3, 1877. He was a journalist and businessman. He is best known for allegations of political corruption during this congressional term. The House of Representatives did not specify his offense, but decided it was constitutionally unable to punish him for actions that took place before he entered Congress. He did not run for reelection.[1]

William Smith King
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Minnesota's 3rd district
In office
March 4, 1875 – March 3, 1877
Preceded byJohn T. Averill
Succeeded byJacob H. Stewart
Personal details
Born
William Smith King

(1828-12-16)December 16, 1828
Malone, New York, U.S.
DiedFebruary 24, 1900(1900-02-24) (aged 71)
Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
Resting placeLakewood Cemetery
Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Mary Elizabeth Stevens
Caroline M. Arnold
Children2
Profession
  • politician
  • postmaster
  • journalist

Early life

William S. King was born to Reverend Lyndon King in Malone, New York, in Franklin County on December 16, 1828.[2][3][4] At the age of 12, his mother died and he left home and became a farm hand.[2]

Career

Early career

In 1846, he moved to Otsego County, New York, and worked as a solicitor for mutual insurance companies.[2] He began a newspaper career in Cooperstown, New York, in 1852 by becoming an editor of the Free Democrat, a campaign paper in Cooperstown for George Washington Julian and John P. Hale, Free Soil Party candidates for U.S. President.[2][3] He received the title of Colonel while serving under General Burnside in the New York Guard.[3]

Newspaper career

King moved to Minneapolis in the summer of 1858, where he continued in journalism and raising cattle. He founded the State Atlas, a weekly newspaper, in 1859. King became known for his strong editorials and columns opposing slavery.[2] Later, he helped create the Minneapolis Tribune, and became a major stockholder in the Pioneer Press in neighboring Saint Paul.[2] There are also indications that he became a principal owner of the Minneapolis Journal.

Political career

King became active in politics. He became a member of the Wide Awakes.[2] King served as postmaster of the U.S. House of Representatives from July 5, 1861, to 1865 and 1867 to 1873.[2][3][5] In 1874, he served as surveyor general of logs and lumber in the Second Congressional District of Minnesota.[2][3]

Following that, he served one term during the 44th congress as a U.S. Representative from 1875 to 1877.[5] He refused to obey a subpoena issued by a committee to investigate the proceedings of a subsidy for the Pacific Mail Steamship Company. He was asked by members of the legislature to resign, but was ultimately cleared of any wrongdoing.[3]

Other pursuits

In Minnesota, Colonel King also became involved in railroads and related pursuits. There are indications he was among the first people to lay streetcar rails in Minneapolis, perhaps as early as 1867.[citation needed] Around 1870, he helped execute a contract to build the first section of the Northern Pacific Railway.[2] In 1877, he built a large pavilion at Lake Calhoun in the city. A tourism boom was occurring at the time. He later sold it to Louis F. Menage, who converted it to a hotel. However, the hotel was eventually destroyed by a fire.

In 1869, King with three others, including George A. Brackett and Dorilus Morrison, purchased a 40 acres (0.16 km2) farm in Minneapolis after the city council refused to purchase it to make a park.[6] During the 1870s, he helped organized the Lakewood Cemetery Association and built a 1,400 acres (5.7 km2) estate.[3][6][7] The estate was named Lyndale Farm, named after his father,[4] and reached south from 34th Street to Lake Harriet, allowing ample room to gather choice breeds of cattle for breeding purposes.[3] His herd, including Shorthorn, Ayrshire, and Jersey, evolved into the best in the nation—to some, the world's finest. King's land, originally located in Richfield, was annexed to Minneapolis in 1867 by the state legislature.[8] A portion of the Lyndale Farm was given to Philo Remington and King later filed suit against Remington after Remington sold his deed to the land.[2]

In 1883, King resurrected Minneapolis's Board of Trade and they established the Minneapolis Board of Park Commissioners. He served as a member of the board in Minneapolis from April 25, 1885, to April 1887.[6][9]

Personal life

King married Mary Elizabeth Stevens of Ilion, New York. King later married Caroline M. Arnold, also of Ilion. He had a son, Preston, and a daughter.[2][6][10]

Death

King died on February 24, 1900, at his home in Minneapolis.[11] Upon his death in Minneapolis in 1900, his body was interred at Lakewood Cemetery.

Glossary

  • King's Fair: precursor to the Minnesota State Fair that was held in South Minneapolis from 1877 through 1882. Since 1979 the name has also been used for a biennial gathering in the Seward neighborhood. William S. King was a sponsor and organizer of the early fairs.[12]
  • King Field: neighborhood in South Minneapolis named after William S. King, whose borders extend from Lyndale Avenue in the west to Interstate 35W in the east and from 36th Street in the north to 46th street in the south.[13]
  • King's Highway: section of Dupont Avenue in South Minneapolis honoring William S. King.[14]
  • King's Hill: popular sledding hill at Lyndale Farmstead Park.[15]
  • Lyndale Avenue: Minneapolis street taking its name from Lyndale Farm, a 1,400-acre estate owned by William S. King.[16]
  • Lyndale Farmstead Park: recreational area at 39th Street and Bryant Avenue South that was part of a vast farm belonging to William S. King and named for his father, Rev. Lyndon King.[13][15][6]
  • Northrup-King Seed Company: prominent Minnesota business, whose founders included William S. King and his son Preston.[17]
  • Oakwood Farm in Litchfield: Owned by William S. King and leased by W. H. Gibson.[18]

References

  1. ^ Mark Grossman, Political Corruption in America: In encyclopedia of scandals, power, and greed (2003) p. 207.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Col. W. S. King Dead". Star Tribune. February 24, 1900. p. 1. Retrieved July 24, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.  
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "Minnesota journalism from 1858 to 1865". St. Paul, MN: Minnesota Historical Society. 1908. pp. 199–200. Retrieved July 24, 2021 – via Library of Congress.
  4. ^ a b "KINGFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD & HISTORY". kingfield.org. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
  5. ^ a b "William S. King of Minnesota was chosen as Postmaster of the House". house.gov. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Minneapolis Park Histories" (PDF). minneapolisparks.org. pp. 220–226. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
  7. ^ "Lakewood History". lakewoodcemtery.org. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
  8. ^ Johnson, Fred (2008) Richfield: Minnesota's Oldest Suburb, Richfield Historical Society
  9. ^ "PARK BOARD COMMISSIONERS". electiontrendproject.org. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
  10. ^ "Funeral of Col. W. S. King". St. Paul Globe. February 25, 1900. p. 8. Retrieved July 24, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.  
  11. ^ "DEATH LIST OF A DAY.; Col. William S. King". New York Times. February 25, 1900. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
  12. ^ King's Fair, Minneapolis placeography.org. Retrieved: February 11, 2013.
  13. ^ a b Kingfield, Minneapolis. placeography.org. Retrieved: February 11, 2013.
  14. ^ Minneapolis Street Names. tholt.com. Retrieved: February 11, 2013.
  15. ^ a b Lyndale Farmstead Park. 2013-01-18 at the Wayback Machine minneapolisparks.org. Retrieved: February 11, 2013.
  16. ^ Neighborhood Names. johnweeks.com. Retrieved: February 11, 2013.
  17. ^ Northrup, King and Company. mnopedia.org. Retrieved: February 11, 2013.
  18. ^ David Rumsey Map Collection. davidrumsey.com. Retrieved: November 4, 2013.
  • Russel L. Olson (1976). The Electric Railways of Minnesota. Minnesota Transportation Museum, Hopkins/H. M. Smyth Co., St. Paul.
  • Lake Calhoun. WaterLaws.com. Accessed May 26, 2004.

External links

 
Old King farm

Minnesota Historical Society

  • King's Highway
  • William S. King

Hennepin County Library

  • King's Pavilion

Placeography

  • Loring-King house
  • Preston King house
  • Kingfield neighborhood

Articles

  • Northrup-King Seed Company at MNopedia.
  • William S. King at Southwest Minneapolis Patch.
  • at the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.

Louis F. Menage

August 01, 2023
william, king, union, army, officer, william, sterling, king, william, smith, king, december, 1828, february, 1900, republican, representative, minnesota, from, march, 1875, march, 1877, journalist, businessman, best, known, allegations, political, corruption,. For the Union Army officer see William Sterling King William Smith King December 16 1828 February 24 1900 was a Republican U S Representative for Minnesota from March 4 1875 to March 3 1877 He was a journalist and businessman He is best known for allegations of political corruption during this congressional term The House of Representatives did not specify his offense but decided it was constitutionally unable to punish him for actions that took place before he entered Congress He did not run for reelection 1 William Smith KingMember of the U S House of Representatives from Minnesota s 3rd districtIn office March 4 1875 March 3 1877Preceded byJohn T AverillSucceeded byJacob H StewartPersonal detailsBornWilliam Smith King 1828 12 16 December 16 1828Malone New York U S DiedFebruary 24 1900 1900 02 24 aged 71 Minneapolis Minnesota U S Resting placeLakewood CemeteryMinneapolis Minnesota U S Political partyRepublicanSpouse s Mary Elizabeth StevensCaroline M ArnoldChildren2Professionpoliticianpostmasterjournalist Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 2 1 Early career 2 2 Newspaper career 2 3 Political career 2 4 Other pursuits 3 Personal life 4 Death 5 Glossary 6 References 7 External linksEarly life EditWilliam S King was born to Reverend Lyndon King in Malone New York in Franklin County on December 16 1828 2 3 4 At the age of 12 his mother died and he left home and became a farm hand 2 Career EditEarly career Edit In 1846 he moved to Otsego County New York and worked as a solicitor for mutual insurance companies 2 He began a newspaper career in Cooperstown New York in 1852 by becoming an editor of the Free Democrat a campaign paper in Cooperstown for George Washington Julian and John P Hale Free Soil Party candidates for U S President 2 3 He received the title of Colonel while serving under General Burnside in the New York Guard 3 Newspaper career Edit King moved to Minneapolis in the summer of 1858 where he continued in journalism and raising cattle He founded the State Atlas a weekly newspaper in 1859 King became known for his strong editorials and columns opposing slavery 2 Later he helped create the Minneapolis Tribune and became a major stockholder in the Pioneer Press in neighboring Saint Paul 2 There are also indications that he became a principal owner of the Minneapolis Journal Political career Edit King became active in politics He became a member of the Wide Awakes 2 King served as postmaster of the U S House of Representatives from July 5 1861 to 1865 and 1867 to 1873 2 3 5 In 1874 he served as surveyor general of logs and lumber in the Second Congressional District of Minnesota 2 3 Following that he served one term during the 44th congress as a U S Representative from 1875 to 1877 5 He refused to obey a subpoena issued by a committee to investigate the proceedings of a subsidy for the Pacific Mail Steamship Company He was asked by members of the legislature to resign but was ultimately cleared of any wrongdoing 3 Other pursuits Edit In Minnesota Colonel King also became involved in railroads and related pursuits There are indications he was among the first people to lay streetcar rails in Minneapolis perhaps as early as 1867 citation needed Around 1870 he helped execute a contract to build the first section of the Northern Pacific Railway 2 In 1877 he built a large pavilion at Lake Calhoun in the city A tourism boom was occurring at the time He later sold it to Louis F Menage who converted it to a hotel However the hotel was eventually destroyed by a fire In 1869 King with three others including George A Brackett and Dorilus Morrison purchased a 40 acres 0 16 km2 farm in Minneapolis after the city council refused to purchase it to make a park 6 During the 1870s he helped organized the Lakewood Cemetery Association and built a 1 400 acres 5 7 km2 estate 3 6 7 The estate was named Lyndale Farm named after his father 4 and reached south from 34th Street to Lake Harriet allowing ample room to gather choice breeds of cattle for breeding purposes 3 His herd including Shorthorn Ayrshire and Jersey evolved into the best in the nation to some the world s finest King s land originally located in Richfield was annexed to Minneapolis in 1867 by the state legislature 8 A portion of the Lyndale Farm was given to Philo Remington and King later filed suit against Remington after Remington sold his deed to the land 2 In 1883 King resurrected Minneapolis s Board of Trade and they established the Minneapolis Board of Park Commissioners He served as a member of the board in Minneapolis from April 25 1885 to April 1887 6 9 Personal life EditKing married Mary Elizabeth Stevens of Ilion New York King later married Caroline M Arnold also of Ilion He had a son Preston and a daughter 2 6 10 Death EditKing died on February 24 1900 at his home in Minneapolis 11 Upon his death in Minneapolis in 1900 his body was interred at Lakewood Cemetery Glossary EditKing s Fair precursor to the Minnesota State Fair that was held in South Minneapolis from 1877 through 1882 Since 1979 the name has also been used for a biennial gathering in the Seward neighborhood William S King was a sponsor and organizer of the early fairs 12 King Field neighborhood in South Minneapolis named after William S King whose borders extend from Lyndale Avenue in the west to Interstate 35W in the east and from 36th Street in the north to 46th street in the south 13 King s Highway section of Dupont Avenue in South Minneapolis honoring William S King 14 King s Hill popular sledding hill at Lyndale Farmstead Park 15 Lyndale Avenue Minneapolis street taking its name from Lyndale Farm a 1 400 acre estate owned by William S King 16 Lyndale Farmstead Park recreational area at 39th Street and Bryant Avenue South that was part of a vast farm belonging to William S King and named for his father Rev Lyndon King 13 15 6 Northrup King Seed Company prominent Minnesota business whose founders included William S King and his son Preston 17 Oakwood Farm in Litchfield Owned by William S King and leased by W H Gibson 18 U S House of RepresentativesPreceded byJohn T Averill Member of the U S House of Representatives from Minnesota s 3rd congressional district1875 1877 Succeeded byJacob H StewartReferences Edit Mark Grossman Political Corruption in America In encyclopedia of scandals power and greed 2003 p 207 a b c d e f g h i j k l Col W S King Dead Star Tribune February 24 1900 p 1 Retrieved July 24 2021 via Newspapers com a b c d e f g h Minnesota journalism from 1858 to 1865 St Paul MN Minnesota Historical Society 1908 pp 199 200 Retrieved July 24 2021 via Library of Congress a b KINGFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD amp HISTORY kingfield org Retrieved July 24 2021 a b William S King of Minnesota was chosen as Postmaster of the House house gov Retrieved July 24 2021 a b c d e Minneapolis Park Histories PDF minneapolisparks org pp 220 226 Retrieved July 24 2021 Lakewood History lakewoodcemtery org Retrieved July 24 2021 Johnson Fred 2008 Richfield Minnesota s Oldest Suburb Richfield Historical Society PARK BOARD COMMISSIONERS electiontrendproject org Retrieved July 24 2021 Funeral of Col W S King St Paul Globe February 25 1900 p 8 Retrieved July 24 2021 via Newspapers com DEATH LIST OF A DAY Col William S King New York Times February 25 1900 Retrieved July 24 2021 King s Fair Minneapolis placeography org Retrieved February 11 2013 a b Kingfield Minneapolis placeography org Retrieved February 11 2013 Minneapolis Street Names tholt com Retrieved February 11 2013 a b Lyndale Farmstead Park Archived 2013 01 18 at the Wayback Machine minneapolisparks org Retrieved February 11 2013 Neighborhood Names johnweeks com Retrieved February 11 2013 Northrup King and Company mnopedia org Retrieved February 11 2013 David Rumsey Map Collection davidrumsey com Retrieved November 4 2013 Russel L Olson 1976 The Electric Railways of Minnesota Minnesota Transportation Museum Hopkins H M Smyth Co St Paul Lake Calhoun WaterLaws com Accessed May 26 2004 External links Edit Old King farmMinnesota Historical Society King s Highway William S KingHennepin County Library King s PavilionPlaceography Loring King house Preston King house Kingfield neighborhoodArticles Northrup King Seed Company at MNopedia William S King at Southwest Minneapolis Patch Lyndale Farmstead Park at the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board United States Congress William S King id K000218 Biographical Directory of the United States Congress Louis F Menage Erased from memory at the Twin Cities Daily Planet The men behind the Metropolitan Building in the Star Tribune Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title William S King amp oldid 1141600076, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

article

, read, download, free, free download, mp3, video, mp4, 3gp, jpg, jpeg, gif, png, picture, music, song, movie, book, game, games.