King, Emanuel A.

KING, CROMWELL, BOWER, SPRINGER

Posted By: Gary Norris (email)
Date: 12/3/2012 at 07:50:09

Through the improvement of the opportunities which Iowa offers in agricultural lines Emanuel A. King has become one of the substantial citizens of Poweshiek county. He was born in Seneca county, Ohio, December 25. 1869, a son of Philip and Mary (Cromwell) King. His father, who is descended from Irish lineage, was born in county Limerick, and was but six months old when brought form Ireland to this country by his parents, who first located in Ohio and later took up their abode in Marengo, Iowa. Upon attaining man's estate he took up farming as a life work and was thus engaged until the time of his death, which occurred at Marengo in the winter of 1910, when he had reached the age of sixty-nine years. His wife, who was born in Ohio, of English parentage, still survives him and makes her home with her two sons, Joseph and John King, extensive farmers of South Dakota, where they are engaged in operating rented farms.
In the public schools of Marengo, Iowa, Emanuel A. King acquired a good practical education, passing through the consecutive grades until his graduation from the high school. He remained under the parental roof until attaining his majority, after which he crossed the threshold of the business world as a farm hand, being employed by the month for three years. He was then married, immediately after which he began farming independently on a rented farm of eighty acres three miles north of Victor. There he remained for one year, next removing to a farm of one hundred and sixty acres six miles south of Victor, in Lincoln township, Iowa county, which he also operated for a time as renter. He next purchased a hundred and twenty acre tract in Benton county, Iowa, upon which he resided for three years. Disposing of this he later bought his present farm of one hundred and twenty acres, located on section 20, Bear Creek township, Poweshiek county, which has remained his home for the past seven years. This farm, consisting of rich rolling land, has been highly developed since coming into his possession, its value being greatly enhanced by the many modern improvements which have been introduced by Mr. King. He is an extensive producer of grain, and annually his fields yield abundant harvests in return for the care and labor bestowed upon them.
On the 26th of September, 1893, Mr. King was united in marriage to Miss Ada J. Bower, a daughter of Jabez and Mary (Springer) Bower. The father was born in Canada, of English parentage, while the mother is American born, her birth occurring in Iowa. They now reside on a farm south of Watkins, in Benton county, Iowa, where Mr. Bowers is now living retired, receiving good rental for his farm lands. Unto Mr. and Mrs. King have been born three children, but only one is now living. William Albert, the eldest, passed away when three months old; Leo, the youngest, died at the age of three months; the daughter, Florence Esther, aged sixteen years, is now attending the high school at Malcom and makes her home with her parents.
The parents are members of the Presbyterian church of Blairstown, Iowa, and Mr. King is well known in fraternal circles, holding membership in the Knights of Pythias lodge of Malcom, the Modern Woodmen of America, also at Malcom, and with the Bankers' Life Association of Des Moines, Iowa. Early in life he became interested in the politics of the country, and, forming his own opinions and rules of conduct, has given his support to the republican party. He has ever been a worker for the best interests of Bear Creek township. Since he came to Poweshiek county his acquaintance has continually broadened. Those who meet him in business and social relations find him a man whose friendship is worthy to be cherished and whose business integrity and enterprise call for emulation.

History of Poweshiek County Iowa
- A Record of Settlement, Organizations, Progress and Achievement, Vol. II
written by Prof. L. F. Parker.
Published by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., in 1911
Pages 407-408