New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-21
OBITUARY..
JOHN KING.


John King who was for many years the receiver
and president Of the Erie Railroad died on March
Il at Beaulleu. near Nice. the fashionable French
winter resort For six or seven years Mr. Kings
health had been falling him. and two years ago ne
resigned all business cares and left New-forK Tor
extended trip abroad, In order 10 recuperate
/. was his primary Intention to make trip around
the world but since his departure ne spent MS
time mainly In London and In the French watering
places About Christmas last Mr.. King look a
house at Beauleu. The precise cause OF Mr.. King
death is not yet known. but 1t Is presumed by
his friends and former associates in this city tnat
it was a general decay of the system Ills VIE
and his youngest daughter, Miss Helen King, were
with him at the time OF his death.
The news OF Mr.. Kings decease was received
with the deepest regret by railroad men in TINS
city. and by the large number OF friends that MT
Kings charm OF character had attracted to MIN.
Although not a society man in the conventional
meaning of the word, Mr.. Kings traits were emil
ncntly sociabe. member of many clubs, we'll
read man, lover of art and books, "A constant en-
tertainer and, among other accomplishments, an
expert whist player, he enjoyed the highest pop
uarity in all circles of social life. Beginning his
career In a subordinate position the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad. Mr.. King eventually attained
the highest places in the railway service and
gained the distinction of being of the ablest
railway managers not only in this country, but IN
Baltimore. He came from family for many gem
erations resident In that city. His father was a
prominent hardware merchant there, and his moth
er was sister of John w. Garrett, then president
of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Following
his unce's example Mr.. King determined to devote
himself to the railroad business. and to that end
entered the service Of the Baltimore and Ohio road.
He began at the lowest rung of the ladder. being
appointed early age the ticket agent at
one of the small suburban stations in the vicinity
of Baltimore. His connection with this line con-
tinued for twenty-seven years, and during that
time he filed successfully the places OF paymas
ter. auditor general freight agent vice-president
and acting president.
In 1875 he was elected president of the Pittsburg
and ConnellsvliIe Railroad, and in 1879 was APP
pointed receiver OF the Marietta and Cincinnati and
or III" Ohio and Mississippi railroads. In 1881 he
severed his connection with the roads In conse-
quence OF ill-health. He went abroad. and re-
manned away from this country until August 1881
when he entered the service of the Erie company
as assistant to the president of the line Hugh j.
Jewett 1t was understood. however, that Mr.
King would be appointed president of the COM
pany at the next meeting the work of acting as
MIR. Jewett's assistant for some three months being
given him as an opportunity TO gain an insight INTO
the administrative routine ana controlhs ihe.nouS
OF the road. At the regular meeting OF the stock
holders In the ensuing November he was duly
elected to the office OF president. 1t is understood
that Mr.: King was not anxious to undertake the
Erie system. but, following the New-YorN bank
panic Of 1884 1t was deemed necessary by the stock
holders that the road should have some stimulating
influence, and for this reason the presidency was
offered to Mr.. King. While ne was in London In
the early part OF 1884 ne strongly urged ~ the
larger holders OF snares i'm England including Sir
Charles Tenant Sir john West!ake and the fnan-
cal house of Haseltne. Power & CO., to accept the
Invitation. and finally he consented
His management of the Erie road, which was In
an unfortunate condition when he assumed con
troll was regarded by practical railroad men as
remarkable exhibition OF reorganization ability.
than as a railroad operator and TO his abilities in
this direction is credited his success in building up
regarded Mr. King as one OF the best I rar na
managers in the country; and 1t is fairly wen wen
out advances to him to join the NewYork Cen
trail Railroad Some years ago, In letter to one
Mr.. Vanderbilt expressed warm admiration OF MI
Kings administration of the line Drawing atten-
property when 1t seemed that nothing could keep
it out OF bankruptcy, Mr.. Vanderbilt proceeded to
earn handsome dividends. but its physical condi-
tons had been so improved az TO make 1t the
dency of the Baltimore and Ohio road was offered
Mr.. king. but he refused it. . ,s,,
as receiver Of the line until the early PART OF S ~
Senti Re deemed expsdent to resign his Offices
and take an extended tour abroad. -
Episcopal is Church. Of which he was a vestryman,
and was member of the Southern Society the
Anra HstOr Fine Arts Met
ropolitan Museum OF Art and of the Whist Met
ropolitan. Century. Lawyers. Tuxedo and Mary
land clubs. Besides his widow who was q dangh-
ter of Frederick Jackson. of Cincinnati. Mr.. King
leaves a son. jackson King. who Is at present in
Auckland. New-Zeaand. and two daughters, MIS-
Ralph Elliott, OF Savannah. and Miss Helen King
During the time he lived In NewYork Mr.. Kings
house was at No. 10 East Sixty-nnth-st., but he
disposed OF this house before he went 10 Europe
two years ago. He retained. however. his family
residence in Baltimore. No intimation has yet
been received as to the funeral ARRANGEMENTS but
there is little doubt that the body will be brought
10 this country for burial