Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-06-24
Death Of Hon. William King.


Our citizens were called upon last week to
pay the last tribute of the living to Hon. VIII
LIAM KING, who died at his residence in this
city, on the Eth inst, aged IS years. The
death Of man, who, in former years, was so
conspicuous in the public eye-who had done
much for the Country, the State, and the town,
who has held so many places Of public trust,
and so faithfully fulfilled the several and varied
duties reposed in him-is calculated to produce
feeling of emotion in the whole community !;
and command that proper respect should be
paid to his memory. This was done. Ap-
propriale and becoming honors were rendered
to the deceased by our citizens-all of whom
unite in ascribing to him the credit so Justly
due, of having faithfully fulfilled his mission
on earth, as a good and faithful man. His
funeral, on Saturday last, was large, and the
ceremonies impressive. Our principal streets
were clothed in the badges of mouruing-most
of the places of business were closed-the sew
eral church bells tolled the solemn funeral note
and the minute-guns, by order of the City
Government, announced the moving Of the
solemn train, which was composed of a militia
nv escort-a general attendance of the order of
Masons, in regalia-foIlowed by the relatives
and friends of the deceased-the Governor and
Council Of our State-the officers of Bow
doin College = and the City Government
The ceremonies at the grave were also
very proper and imposing. The Masonic
forms were observed; after which came sal
ute from the military, and the earth closed over
the remains of aman honored in life, and ever
to be remembered and respected. We give
below an extract from an obituary communica-
ted to the Mirror: -
The late Hon. William King, whose
death is announced in its appropriate coll
umn, was born in. Scarboro', in the then
District of Maine. isfather, Richard King,
Esq, was merchant Of some note ct that
time.
William King had the misfortune to lose
that father when quite young but was
blessed with mother of great energy of
character, Of singleness of purpose, and of
great moral worth. The Revolutionary war
was "a serious obstacle TO his acquiring a
thorough academic education, and his physi-
cal energies were early taxed in the culliva-
lion of large farm.
About the year 1894 he removed to
Topsl,a m, and entered into the business of
milling, trading, building and sailing vessels,
in company with his brolher-in-law, the late
Doct. Porter.
Mr.. King was early elected Representa-.
tive from Topsham TO the Massachusetts
Legislature.
AT or about the commencement of the
present century he removed TO Bath entered
at once upon very large commercial blIsi-
ness, and was successful in acquiring large
estate in a few years; but met with reverses
during The restrictive system, embargo and
war. Represented Bath and this County, in
the Legislature o: Massachusetts, for several
years. To him, in great measure, it is
believed Maine, then part of Massachu.
sells, was indebted for enlarged legislation
in religious federation, and for the Better.
ment Act, SO called. The former secured
the right to each man to worship aud pay
his tax in that religious society, where con-
science dictated-lhe latter saved many Il
family from utter destitulion.
Mr. King was Major General of this divis-
ION Tor III years, nrSt Governor or Maine,
| Commissioner of the Spanish Claims, a
warm friend to the educational interests of
the STATE, the Commissioner for the PLAN
ming and erection of the Stale House at Au-
gus,a, and Collector of the Port of Bath. To
the discharge of the duties in these several
offices and appointments, he brought unlir-
ing energy and much foresight and sagacity,
and has left behind him the reputation of a
| of ,n,,IJ,,t hnneo nj
the abode of generous hospitality.