Biography - John King
John KING, farmer, P. O. Raymond, was born in Bourbon County, Ky., September 10, 1826; his education was limited to such as could be obtained in the old log schoolhouses of that early day; however, by observation and encounters with the world, he has attained a very good practical education. At the age of fifteen, he went with his parents to Indiana, and located in Shelby County, where he remained fourteen years, employed on a farm as farm hand. He entered upon the battle of life a poor boy, but, being possessed with a stout heart and an energetic spirit, he determined to make his way in the world. He came to Illinois in 1854, and permanently located in Montgomery County in October, 1859, and rented the property he now owns; by his industry and economy, he soon was able to purchase eighty acres of land, which he has continued to increase until it now amounts to 210 acres of choice farm and timber land, which he has improved, and which, as a practical farmer, he keeps in a high state of cultivation. Mr. KING is one of the most prominent farmers in the township, and has always taken an interest in all public improvements, and in the general growth and prosperity of Montgomery County; he makes no specialty of crops, although he has always been a large grower of corn and wheat, and handles no stock in particular but what he raises on his farm. He was married, in Shelby County, Ind., September 26, 1850, to Mary HACKER, who was born in Virginia March 10, 1827; she has borne him three children - Margaret J., Thomas R. and Marshall E., the latter dying at the age of seventeen; Margaret is the wife of H. H. HITCHINGS, a prominent young farmer of Raymond Township. Mr. KING is independent in politics, and, as he says, votes for men and principles; has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for a number of years. He has been twice married; his first wife died September 29, 1856, and his second marriage occurred June 7, 1857, to Catharine HACKER, who was born May 15, 1821, and is a sister to his first wife. Mr. KING has always been identified with the temperance workers, and has been a member of the Christian Church since he was sixteen years of age.
Extracted 20 Nov 2016 by Norma Hass from 1882 History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, Part 2 Biographical Department, pages 225-226.
