The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-05-20
Gen. HOratiO King Passes
Away at Washington.
He Was a Prominent Figure
in Political Circles.
Won Promotion and Distinction by
His Work and His Ability.

Washington, May 20. General Horatio
King who was postmaster general during
| portion of President Buchanan's admin
istration, died in this city at 20 this
morning. He was in his eighty-sixrh year
and died from the effects OF an attack of
grip. His sons, Gen. Horatio G. King of
New York nnd Henry King of Boston,
were at his bedside when he passed away
HoratiO King was the son of Samuel
and sally (Hall) King, and was born in
Paris, Me, June n, 1911. His father
was farmer, and emigrated from Massa-
chusetts. His mother was "a daughter of
Jonathan Hall, an early settler IN Paris
| from Hopkinton, Mass. His grandfather
was George King Of Raynham, in the
state last named, who with his three
brothers. served in the war for indepen
dence.
Like most Of the country reared young
luen OF that period, he was brought up on
the farm, ana in the ordinary acceptance
OF that term he was not literally educated,
though he supplemented by careful study
and voluminous reading and research the
education which the common schools
afforded. To a strongly practical training
he added by his own oxertions unusual
literary culture acquiring among his
other accomplishments good knowledge
OF the French language which aided hm
greatly in his subsequent official career
Entered Newspaper business.
In the spring of 1929 Mr. King went into
the Office OF the observation-disclosures
jackson Democratic paper, then published
in his native town. In about "a year he
bought the paper in partnership with
Hannibal Hamlin, atterward senator and
VICE president of the United States and
six months later became sole proprietor
being then about 10 years of age For
while he employed a village lawyer at
salary of II York shillings "a week, 10 AS
sist him I'm editing the sheet. In 1892 ne
cast his first vote for Andrew jackson.
and shortly afterward assumed the entire
editorial management of his paper.
He edited the .Ieffersonian until 1888
when he sold IL 10 the Standard, which
had in the meantime moved TO Portland,
and was soon after merged into the East
ern Argus.
Clerk I'm Postof,ice Department.
In the fall Of 1888 Mrv~~king went to
Washington TO look for a newspaper open
ing but not finding one to his mind, he,
In March, 1889 accepted "a clerkship ut
$1,000 per annum in the postofilce depart
ment rendered him by the then Postnias-
ter General Amos Kendall. Thus at tho
foot of the ladder he commenced that con-
nection which proved alike beneficial To
the country and honorable to himself,
and whence no climbed, every step marked
by his ability and his energy TO the chief
position He thus had the proud distnc-
tlon of being the only person who has
ever started in the lowest clerkshp and
ended with the highest Office i'm the de-
partment, that of postmaster general.
In the spring of 1884, on the death of
Mai. Hobbie, Mr.. King, without sollcita-
tion on his part, was appointed by Presi-
dent Pierce to the Office of first assistant
postmaster general
Always a Democrat
As politician Mr.. King was always "a
firm and consistent Democrat, though
not ultra. He lent "a willing and hearty
support To every Democratic administra
tion from the time he was old enough to
exercise the privileges of citizen, and
since 1861 approved every act of the Re
publican party that made for good gov
ernmcut and the best interests OF the peo-
pie.
He held the position of first assistant
postmaster general until Jan. !, 1861,
when he became acting postmaster gen
eral Feb ]; he was nominated by Presi-
dent Buchanan, and on the 18th con-
firined by the Senate rs postmaster gen.
eral, serving In that capacity until the
Inauguration Of President Lincoln and
the appointment Of his successor March
:, 1861 He filled all these places with
fidelity and distinguished ability. He
was postmaster general when treason
sualkcd with II bold front through the
streets of the national opital.
After retiring from the poStoflce depart
ment he was appointed, in April, 1852,
one of the board of commissioners To
carry out the provisions of the enamel
patton proclamation in the District of
Columbia
His Literary Work
While not n fluent speaker, Mr.. King
was for years "a ready and strong writer
for newspapers and magazines on polt-
cal. historical and literary subjects. In
1876 he published "Sketches OF Travel or
Twelve Months i'm Euroue. and in lS95
Turning on the Light, "A dspassionatc
survey Of President Buchanan's admin
istration from 1860 TO its close, and other
original articles,
June IL. lSD6 the honorary degree Of
! Ill. d. was conferred upon Mr. King by
! Dickinson College, Carlisle, Penn. May
| 2l 1888. Mr.. King married Ann Collins
J of Portland, Me, by whom he had seven
| children, only three Of whom survive,
| Mrs A. a. Cole of Washington, Gen.
! Horatio G.. King of Brooklyn, y. Y, and
| Henry +. King Of West Newton, Mass.
| The others died young His first wife
died september %, 1868, aud nc married
| February :, 1870, Isabella q. Osborne of
| Auburn, ~ ", who survives him.
! Mr. King was u notable example to tho
| youth Of our country Born and bred
J under circumstances which gave MIN no
! greater advantages than are cniovcd by -
/ large majority of the young men OF the
! union. .he attained 10y his own energy in
/ dustry anl perseverance an exalted sta
ton, and made for himself "A name and a
| reputation OF which any mnn may be
| proud.