KING, Allen - 1890 Bio (1837-1911)

KING, LANDESS, SMITH, WARD, SHAMP, DAVIS, RICHART

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/12/2007 at 12:20:55

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 238-239

Allen KING is one of the oldest grocery merchants of Fairfield, his career in that line covering a period of eighteen years. From the time when he established business up to the present, he has been recognized as one of the leading merchants of the city and by the liberal patronage which he receives, we know that he has won the confidence and respect of his patrons as the result of his courteous treatment, fair dealing and prompt attention to the wants of his customers.

Mr. KING is a native of Ohio, his birth having occured (sic) in Highland County, January 27, 1837. Morris KING, his father, was born in New Jersey in 1800, and was of Scotch (sic) descent, while his mother, whose maiden name was Susannah LANDESS, was born in North Carolina in 1802, of German parentage. The youth and maiden emigrated with their respective families to Ohio when Cincinnati was a small town. Mr. KING was a hard-working man and cleared and developed two farms in the midst of the timbered regions of the Buckeye State. He was a member of the Christian Church, a supporter of the Democratic party and his death occurred in 1851. His wife is still living at the advanced age of eighty-eight years and is still remarkably active. Their union was blessed with a family of thirteen children, six sons and seven daughters, of whom ten are yet living. Two of the sons, Allen and Perry, are merchants of Fairfield.

The former, who has been prominently connected with the grocery interests of the city, is the fourth in order of birth. In his youth he was inured to the labors and hardships of farm life on the western frontier, having to assist in the clearing and development of lands, which in a timbered country was no easy task. He attended the old time schools where "lickin' and larnin'" went hand in hand, and where it was believed to "spare the rod" was to "spoil the child." At the age of eighteen years he started out in life for himself and made his way to Iowa, where he hoped to secure a good business opening and be independent of all outside assistance. He arrived in Jefferson County in December, 1855, and although only a boy, he was engaged as teacher of a school in Cedar Township for $20 per month. That was his first attempt in imparting knowledge to others. The following summer he attended school and through the succeeding twelve years he devoted his energies to farming during the summer months and teaching in the winter season. He procured a farm for himself of fifty acres, which he sold on coming to Fairfield. On the 21st of September, 1856, Mr. KING was united in marriage with Sarah E. SMITH, a native of Tennessee, and they became parents of ten children, seven of whom are yet living, namely: Jelina E., wife of Thomas WARD; Henry A., Clara I., Arie L., Frank T., Maud S. and Lydia A.

On the 11th of August, 1862, Mr. KING entered the service of his country as a member of Company G, Thirtieth Iowa Infantry, but after a year was discharged on account of lung trouble. He continued his farm labors until 1872, when with his family he removed to Fairfield and as before stated embarked in the grocery business, as a partner of James F. Crawford. That connection continued a year and a half when Mr. KING sold out and formed a partnership with R. F. McCashlin, they doing business together for three years. He was then alone for the same length of time, after which the firm of KING Bros. was formed and under that name the business was carried on until 1888, since which time our subject has again been alone. On the 22d of March, 1890, the store in which he did business burned, losing him over $1100. All recognize in Mr. KING a trustworthy, enterprising, business man.

On the 8th of January, 1881, Mrs. KING was called to her final rest and June 8, 1882, Mr. KING married Mrs. Mary E. (SHAMP) DAVIS, who was born in Wayne County, Ohio, July 31, 1844, and is a daughter of Moses C. and Mary L. (RICHART) SHAMP. Her father, a native of Pennsylvania, born March 2, 1801, was of German descent and her mother, who is of Irish descent, was born in the same State, July 9, 1805. Their marriage was celebrated in Lycoming County, Pa., in 1824, after which they removed to Wayne County, Ohio, and in 1846 came to Jefferson County. While in Wayne County, Mr. SHAMP served for several years as Sheriff. He was a shoemaker by trade, but in Iowa followed farming a short time and then engaged in photography. He died October 22, 1876, and his wife still survives and is living in Nebraska. Like her husband she is a member of the Methodist Church. Seven of their family, which once numbered eleven children, are yet living, but Mrs. KING is the only one living in Iowa.

From the lowest round of the ladder of life Mr. KING has mounted step by step until he has reached a position of prominence and affluence. When he was married he was $25 in debt and whatever success he has met with in life is due to his own efforts, industry, good management and the exercise of correct business principles. Mr. and Mrs. KING are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In political sentiment he is a Democrat, though he never sought political distinction. He held the office of County Recorder from 1884 until 1886, having been elected to the position by a majority of one hundred in a county which has four hundred Republican majority, a fact which indicates his personal popularity. He is a member of the Masonic order and of the Easter (sic) Star Branch of the same.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.