Frederick R. King

Frederick R. King, the junior member of the well-known law firm of Kellogg & King, is the son of Rev. Thomas Starr King, but, naturally proud as he must be of this fact, he borrows no credit to himself from it.  He inherits, indeed, the proper pride of his people, and aims to achieve success by his own efforts.  This has come to him so far in fair measure, and the honor of it is therefore all the greater that it is the result of his own brain power and industry.  His people were old settlers of New England.  There were all thoroughly patriotic and devoted to their country.  It was natural, therefore, his father should feel that he owed a great duty to the nation in the time of her affliction and that his great talents ought to be exercised in her behalf.  Rev. Thomas Starr King was born in New York city December 17, 1824.  His father also was a clergyman and his early years were spent in various towns where he preached. In 1835 the family settled at Charlestown, Massachusetts, where after the death of his father he entered a dry goods store.  In 1840 he was appointed assistant teacher in the Bunker Hill grammar school, and his time outside his regular duties was spent in study. Two years later he became principal of the west grammar school of Medford, Massachusetts, where he studied for the ministry under Hosea Ballou.  Subsequently he was clerk in the navy yard at Charlestown, and in September, 1845, he delivered his first sermon at Woburn.  He then preached for a Universalist society in Boston and in July, 1846, he was called to his father's former church in Charlestown.  In 1848 he accepted a call from the Hollis Street Unitarian Church where he continued for eleven years.  During this term of ministry he grew steadily in power and reputation.  At this time he also acquired great popularity as a lecturer in the Northern States.

     In 1860 he accepted a call to this city.  As in the East, he was soon asked to lecture in California and Oregon.  As for the White Mountains so of Yosemite: by letters to the Eastern press he made the beauty of this valley known.

     During the war Mr. King by his powerful appeals to the people of the State impressed them with the gradeur of the Union, and to him, indeed, the credit is given for having preserved California in the line of duty.  His speeches during this epoch were brilliant, powerful, convincing.  He labored without ceasing.  To him it was a work of love.  The echo of his words were carried to every home in this land.  The wavering became loyal and rebellion here was crushed in the bud.  California rang with his patriotic words, and his memory to-day even is present as an example of a soul truly loyal and liberty-loving.  The work he accomplished at this time undermined his health.

     He in addition was busied with the building of his church.  Of this the corner-stone was laid in September, 1862, and on Christmas, 1863, it was finished and dedicated January 10, 1864.  Before March he was stricken with diphtheria, and after a few days' illness died on the 4th of the month.  His remains were buried next the church he had built, where they remained till the sale of the property.  They were then transferred to the Masonic cemetery, and on the completion of the new church brought there and entombed in a similar position to that they before occupied.

     Mr. Bancroft in his history says of him:  "We have had many good men in California as spiritual teachers, many saintly men, many true patriots, many of marked talents.  No man exercised greater or more beneficial influence during a crisis which was to determine the destinies of the State than Thomas Starr King, who spared neither voice nor pen to save the Republic from dissension."

      Mr. F. R. King, the subject of our sketch, was born in this city, in 1862.  His memory of his father, who died in 1864, is consequently very dim.  He was born in the family home, then on Bush and Taylor streets.  Mr. King was educated primarily in this city.  He attended several of our leading schools, Bate's Academy among others well known in years gone by.  He graduated in the high school in the class of 1879.  He 1880 he entered Harvard College and was graduated there in the class of 1884.  For one year afterward he was with the Oregon Improvement Company.  Having decided inclination for the study of law, however, he entered the office of Fox & Kellogg.  There he applied himself diligently.  Naturally quick, with close reasoning powers and excellent memory, he soon mastered the intricacies of the law books, and was admitted to the practice of his profession in 1887.

     January 1, 1889, he became associated with the firm of Fox & Kellogg, under the title of Fox, Kellogg & King.  There is not a doubt Mr. King has a brilliant career before him.  He is talented, in fact, could not be otherwise.  His mind is clear and keen.  He is cool, self-possessed and has a great natural industry.  He is thorough, too, and exhaustive in his work.  He has, in fact, all the attributes essential to a bright future.  Then his frame is vigorous, his health excellent.  In this respect he is superior to what his father was.  He is devoted to his practice and gives it all his time.  Politics he keeps aloof from.  Neither does he belong to many clubs or societies, for in home life is his happiness centered.  He is married; his wife is a daughter of the late S. B. Boswell.  Two children, bright boys, have blessed the union.  Mr. King belongs only to the Bohemian Club and Native Sons.

 

Transcribed 11-2-04  Marilyn R. Pankey