GEORGE E. KING

Sacramento County

Biographies

GEORGE E. KING

GEORGE E. KING.--The death of George E. King, which occurred at Kingswold on November 20, 1917, after a short illness, removed from Sacramento County one of its pioneer settlers and upright, progressive citizens, and deprived horticultural interests in the Fair Oaks section of a leading representative. Mr. King was born in Denmark, Ashtabula County, Ohio, May 1, 1843, and lived in Springfield, Mass., until his seventh birthday, when he accompanied his parents on their removal to St. Louis, Mo. There the father established an iron foundry, which afterward became known as the St. Louis Car Foundry Company, of which his son, George E. King, became general manager when but seventeen years of age, thus early in his career displaying notable business ability.

In 1861, at the outbreak of the Civil War, Mr. King enlisted in Company C, 130th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for three years, being attached to the quartermaster’s department. At the close of the war he worked for the government at Louisville, Ky., and at St. Louis, Mo., for several months, and in 1867 entered the employ of a railroad at Albany, N. Y. Soon afterward he established a foundry at Worcester, Mass., but ten years later again took up railroading, which he successfully followed for an extended period. Going to the City of the Straits, he secured work with the Detroit & Bay City Railroad Company, with which he was assistant general ticket agent of the Michigan Central Railroad Company. In 1889 he was made assistant general passenger and ticket agent, and he continued to fill that important office until 1905, discharging his duties with marked efficiency and fidelity.

While in the service of the Michigan Central Railroad, Mr. King came to Fair Oaks, where he established his home, being one of the first to purchase property here. Seeing great possibilities in this section for the development of the citrus-fruit industry, he directed his energies to that end, becoming one of the organizers and a director of the Fair Oaks Fruit Company, which from its inception has proved a most profitable venture, with a business that has now assumed large proportions. Mr. King acted as vice-president of this company, and also as president of the Almond Exchange of Fair Oaks, and the success of these two organizations is largely attributable to his sound judgment, keen discernment and executive powers. His operations as a horticulturist were based upon a scientific knowledge of the subject, and in the season of 1915 over ninety tons of choice oranges were harvested from his orchard.

The family residence, Kingswold, with its fine gardens and large orchard, is considered one of the most beautiful and attractive places in the county, and Mr. King took justifiable pride in his home, finding his greatest happiness therein. His was an optimistic, genial, kindly nature, and to know him was to be his friend. He considered life well worth the living, and the character of the work which he did and the importance of the place which he filled in his community were evidenced by the widespread regret which followed his death. His honor and integrity were beyond question, and his life in its various phases stood the test of intimate knowledge and close association.

He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Jessie W. King, who has resided in the Fair Oaks colony continuously since 1898 and has made her influence felt as a strong force for good in her community. She is a capable business woman and is ably conducting the extensive business built up by her husband’s constructive efforts. She has worked earnestly, effectively, and untiringly to promote the welfare of her district along material, moral and educational lines, and has been particularly active in club affairs. She is a leading member of the Woman’s Thursday Club and served as its president in 1904, 1906, 1908, 1909, 1912 and 1914. When the club was first organized it had a membership of twelve; it can now boast a membership of some three hundred. While Mrs. King works toward high ideals, her methods are practical, and in every instance the results achieved have given an impetus toward the attainment of that higher civilization for which the world is striving. Her life has been a most useful and active one, and no resident of Fair Oaks is better known or more highly esteemed.

Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.

Source: Reed, G. Walter, History of Sacramento County, California With Biographical Sketches, Pages 943-944. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1923.