William A. King
William A. King, farmer and stock raiser, is the son of Rev. John King, who came from Virginia to Ohio, and settled in Ross County, in the year 1808, where he remained until 1816, when he removed to Fayette County, and settled on the waters of Sugar Creek, where he remained until his death, which occurred in February, 1866. He was born April 12, 1786.
He married for his first wife, Miss Rachel Hixon, who died December, 1843. Married for his second wife, Alcina Cherry, in April, 1845. She survived her husband some ten years. He had ten children by his first wife, seven sons and three daughters: Bennett M. married, and lives in Holt County, Missouri. Sarah married, and lives in Missouri. Timothy H. is married to his second wife, and lives in Allen County, Ohio. Reuben is practicing medicine in Oregon, Holt County, Missouri. Wesley is married, and lives in Wyoming City, Illinois. Elizabeth married Alfred Todhunter, and lives near Martinsburg, this county. Rachel married Levi Hopkins, and lives near Madison Mills, this county. John married, moved west, and died at the age of sixty-one, being the first death in this family of children. James C. married Miss Irons, and died in May, 1878, at Washington C. H.
Mr King was licensed as a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1829, ordained deacon by Bishop Soule in 1833, and ordained elder by the same bishop in 1843. He was a very active and useful minister of the gospel in his day, visiting the sick, preaching funerals, and administering the sacraments to the sick and dying. Probably no one man has performed so many marriage ceremonies in the county as has Mr. King. He was one of the pioneers of the county, most widely and favorably known, respected and honored by all who knew him. After serving the church for fifty years as a minister of the gospel, he died in great peace at the advanced age of seventy.
William A. King, the subject of this sketch, was born in Fayette County, June 18, 1824. He married Harriet Painter, daughter of Jonathan Painter, who was a native of Pennsylvania, but came to Ohio in an early day, and still lives near Good Hope, this county, November 9, 1847. They have eleven children, eight sons and three daughters: Osman L. is married, and lives on his father's farm. Emmett D. married a daughter of Adam Neighborgall, and lives near Good Hope. Asa L. and Marion U. are single, and both remain at home. Charles Trimble is also single: is attending the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio, and will soon graduate; has been licensed to preach two years, and expects to devote his life to the ministry; a promising son. Edgar L. is single, and at home. Ada remains at home, and is teaching school in her father's district. Alcina E. is a Miss of sixteen, and is organist at Sugar Grove Church. John W., Bennett, and James H., remain at home.
Mr. King was elected justice of the peace for Perry Township in 1861, and still holds the office, having been elected seven times. He was licensed to preach in the Methodist Episcopal Church, in 1852, and ordained deacon, in 1862, by Bishop Morris. The King family are all members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and much devoted to the cause of God.
For fifteen years after his marriage Mr. King taught school, and thus got his start in life. He now owns and lives on a farm of three hundred and sixty-five acres of good land, situated on the south side of Sugar Creek, on the Washington and Hillsboro pike. A family well to do, much respected, useful, and happy.
From R. S. Dills' History of Fayette County