Bio: John F. King, 1832

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org on Thu, 15 Feb 2001

Surname: KING, FLECTCHER, OLDHAM, HERMAN

----Source: History of Clark County, Wisconsin (1918), by Franklyn, Curtiss-Wedge

Mr. and Mrs. John F. King

JOHN F. KING, who in former years was a well-known and respected farmer, residing in the vicinity of Neillsville, but is now deceased, was born in Massachusetts, April 10, 1832. His boyhood days were spent in his native state until he moved with his parents to Ohio, where he grew to manhood on their farm and later learned the carpenter's trade. On Sept. 20, 1860, he was married in Ohio to Rozilla Wight, who was born in Allegheny County, New York, Jan. 5, 1835, and moved with her parents to Ohio, they Also settling on a farm. She was at that time very young and never knew her father, her mother, according to her earliest recollections, being a widow with twelve children.

Mr. and Mrs. King made their honeymoon trip to Clark County, where they remained as permanent residents. In Ohio Mrs. King had had some experience as a teacher, and she now resumed that vocation in Lynn Township, Mr. King finding work as a carpenter. In the following year, 1861, she taught in the old Neillsville schoolhouse, which stood near the site of the present Crother's residence. In the fall the eldest child, Ernest, was born, and Mrs. King gave up teaching. Then another child, Herschell, was born. The Civil War was now raging and there was an urgent demand for able bodied men to defend the Union. Mr. King enlisted in Company I, 14th Wisconsin Infantry and served two years. Before going to the war, however, he had bought a farm near the present fair grounds, where his wife and children took up their residence. To this farm he returned after his military service was ended and set to work to improve the place. There were eighty acres of land and in addition to the work of clearing and cultivating, he erected on it the present fine brick residence. Successful as a farmer, he also became prominent in more public affairs, serving as justice of the peace and a member of the school board, and also as town treasurer, which position he held at the time of his death. The latter event occurred Dec. 10, 1884, when he had reached the age of 52 years and 8 months, and caused sorrow throughout the community.

He belonged to the Grand Army of the Republic and was one of the first members of the Odd Fellows' Lodge at Neillsville. His wife subsequently disposed of the farm and in 1900 moved to Neillsville, where she now resides, being active in Red Cross work.

Mr. and Mrs. King were the parents of six -children, all of whom are now living, namely: Ernest, a miner in Nevada, Herschell, who is a fruit farmer in southern Oregon; Florence, now Mrs. Charles Fletcher, of Montana; Elsie, who is teaching school in Neillsville; Myra, wife of Joseph Oldham and a resident of Idaho; and Elizabeth, now Mrs. Herman in Mauer of New Orleans, La. Their religious belief was Unitarian.