Whiteside County IL Archives Biographies.....King, Thomas R 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 January 31, 2008, 2:49 am

Author: Portrait/Bio Album, Whiteside County IL 1885

Thomas R. King, dealer in country produce and manufacturer of creamery butter, 
residing at Morrison, was born Feb. 25, 1844, in the parish of Street, 
Somersetshire, England. His forefathers were residents of the same parish and 
shire for many generations before. His grandfather, Robert King, was born in 
1777, and married a Miss Reives. She died in 1838, aged 78 years. Charles 
King, his father, was born March 11, 1805, in Overleigh, Street (parish), 
Somersetshire, and married Jane Lessey. She was born March 25, 1805, at 
Midney, near Longport. They had five children, four of whom are living. Sarah 
and Catherine live in England. Mary Ann is the wife of Josiah Lamport, of St. 
Joseph, Mo. Mr. King began to operate in his own behalf in his native country 
when he was but 14 years of age, and commenced by trafficking in live stock. 
He followed the business in his own country until 1865, when he emigrated to 
America. He began dealing in butter at Memphis, Tenn., where he prosecuted his 
interests about five years, spending one summer at Belvidere, Boone Co., Ill., 
buying butter for the Memphis market. In 1871 he established himself at 
Morrison, and began to deal in butter and farm produce. At present he is 
conducting two creameries in Whiteside County, situated respectively at Round 
Grove and at Prairie Center. His daily aggregate product of butter in the best 
part of the season averages from 2,500 to 3,500 pounds. He is the owner of a 
large refrigerator building, for the storage of butter and eggs, situated at 
Maquoketa, Iowa, 35 x 62 feet in dimensions, and acknowledged to be the best 
structure of its kind in the State. He makes his shipments chiefly to New York 
and Philadelphia, and transacts business amounting annually to $300,000. To 
farmers who furnish the cream for his creameries, he supplies the necessary 
outfit. Mr. King owns the building at Morrison where he operates, his 
residence and grounds, which are located in one of the most pleasant and 
prominent parts of the city. Mr. King's marriage to Louisa Gibbs took place 
Aug. 23, 1862, at Glastonbury, Somersetshire, England, and they have five 
children, whose record is as follows: Harry C. was born Dec. 23, 1863, in 
England; Kate G. was born Feb. 17, 1870, in Memphis, Tenn.; Lilly M. was born 
March 13, 1873, in Morrison, and died Aug. 16, 1873; Edna L. was born Oct. 5, 
1874; George E. was born June 20, 1884. Mrs. King was born March 25, 1843, in 
Kingston, Somersetshire, England, and is the daughter of Henry and Ann 
(Damphier) Gibbs. The possibilities under the Government of the United States 
are exemplified in the history of Mr. King, and form a strong contrast to 
those offered to the class to which he belongs by birth. His portrait is 
presented on a preceding page. His character as a business man and citizen of 
Whiteside County render it a significant addition to the collated records of 
the community in which he is a resident.

Additional Comments:
Portrait and Biographical Album of Whiteside County, Illinois, Containing Full-
page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens of the County. Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1885.

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