Biographical Sketch of

August F. King

Transcribed by Joan Benner for the Marquette Co WI Pages



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 369 - 370


August F. King, one of the wide-awake and enterprising young citizens of
Green Lake County, who is now engaged in farming on section 9, in the town
of Green Lake, was born on an ocean steamer, July 29, 1857, while his
parents were enroute for America. William F. and Caroline (Wendt) King,
were both born in Prussia, Germany, where they married and had one child,
there being but two children in the family. Mr. King engaged in butchering
in Germany, but in 1857 he disposed of his business interests in that land
and crossed the Atlantic to America, his destination being Princeton, Wis. 
He there resumed his old trade, which he followed until 1862, when he
offered his services to his adopted country enlisting as a member of
Company C, 32nd Wisconsin infantry, in which he served for three years. His
health, however, was ruined and he was never again able to engage in
business. The Government partly repaid him for his loss of health by giving
him a large pension. He was in feeble health for more than fourteen years,
but at length death ended his sufferings at the age of fifty. His wife died
a short time afterward, at the age of fifty-two years, having broken down
he rown constitution in caring for her husband. Both were members of the
Lutheran Church, and in political sentiment Mr. King was a Republican. He
was elected by that party as Constable and Treasurer of the town of
Princeton, and proved an able officer in both positions.

As before stated, there were but two children in the family. Amelia, the
daughter, became the wife of Herman Stater, and is now living in Berlin.
The history of the other child is as follows. He was brought by his parents
to Princeton, Wis., and attended the schools of that city until eleven
years of age. He then began the battle of life for himself and has since
made his own way in the world. He first worked for three years as a farm
hand, at the age of fourteen went to Ripon, where he obtained a position as
clerk in the store of Oliver Anstead, in whose employ he remained for seven
years. His faithfulness to duty made him a trusted and respected employee,
and his connection was only severed when he wished to embark in business
for himself. In 1878 he purchased a store at the Center House and followed
merchandising until 1885, when he abandoned that pursuit and turned his
attention to farming. He purchased 230 acres of land on section 9, in the
town of Green Lake, and is now doing a good business as an agriculturalist.
He possesses the qualities essential to success, industry, energy and good
business ability, and will no doubt become one of the substantial farmers
of the community. He is independent in politics but on account of his
sterling worth, his friends, both Republican and Democratic, joined in
electing him to the office of Town Treasurer, which he held for two years.

On the 8th of June, 1880, Mr. King was united in marriage with Anna,
daughter of John T. and Lydia (Pratt) Cornwell. She was born in the town of
Green lake, May 9, 1849, but her parents were natives of the Empire State.
They came to the county in 1846, and are numbered among its honored
pioneers. They continued to reside in this community until called home. Mr.
Cornwell died in the prime of life, when Mrs. King was a small child, but
his wife survived until fifty-six years of age. By her first marriage she
had four children, only one of whom is now living; she afterward became the
wife of William Matthews, and had five children, all of whom are now
deceased, viz: Aurelia, Helen, Worman, and two died in infancy.
       





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