John M. King was born in Hampshire Conty, Massachusetts, April 17, 1840, a son of John and Lucy (Boyington) King, natives of England and Massachusetts, respectively. His father was born in Manchester, England, in 1802, and continued a resident of his native land until 1822, working in a woolen factory there. In 1846, he moved to Ogle County, Illinois, where he engaged in farming until his death in 1889. His mother died in 1852. Eight children were born to them, six sons and two daughters.

John M. King was reared and educated in Ogle County, and successfully engaged in reaching school there for some years. The Civil War broke out while he was yet in school, but in September of 1862, he enlisted in company B, Ninety-Second Illinois Mounted Infantry, with which he served for nearly three years, being discharged in June, 1865. He was one of the two survivors of the Nickojack Gap Massacre, in which engagement in Georgia, there were six men from his company.

Mr. King returned to his home in Ogle County after the war and completed his education by attending a commercial college n Chicago for two terms. He then engaged in teaching school for some time, followed by farming to an extent, and edited and published the Rochelle Telephone, at Rochelle, Illinois, for two years. Coming to Hand County in 1881, he brought the plant here and disposed of it, and the name was later changed to the St. Lawrence Journal. The town of St. Lawrence was then known as siding No. 3. He took up the land adjoining the present townsite, laid out the place and largely platted it. Once there, he successfully engaged in farming and dealing in stock.

Mr. King married Miss May Parks on December 28, 1882. She was a native of Ogle County, Illinois, and a daughter of George and Julia (Holister) Parks. To this union were born eight daughters: Nora B., Maude E., Mabel M., Bertha G., Alice L., Emma P., Etha P., and Frances W., and finally two sons, John Edward and Charles H.

Mrs. King was a most estimable lady and a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, Mr. King was a pronounced Populist, and took an active and prominent part in political affairs. In 1876, he was a delegate to the National Independent Greenback Convention, held in Indianapolis. He was also instrumental in organizing the Populist party in his county and state. Elected county commissioner, he served as chairman of the first board after the organization of the county, and at that time remained a member of the board for some years. Later during the reform movement, he was elected to the same body and assisted in restoring the credit of the county, which was badly impaired.

Mr. King also was elected State Senator from Hand County in 1898 as well as being deeply interested in public affairs.

"Bring on the Pioneers! History of Hand County" by Scott Heidepriem, @ 1978, pgs. 387-388, with permission given by Scott Heidepriem.

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Carolyn Bingham Rosemore provided full date of birth, place of death and middle name.
1-2-2017