Obit for KING, William C. (b.1855), Murray Co., MN
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"RESIDENT OF COUNTY 53 YEARS IS DEAD - W. C. King, of Belfast, Passed Away 
Sunday Following Illness of Paralysis - (By Belfast Correspondent)

Belfast township and Murray county in general, lost one of their most 
respected citizens last Sunday, May 11th, when William C. King passed 
away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Will Brandon, after a long illness 
of creeping paralysis.

"Bill" King, for that was the name by which he was best known and in which 
he rejoiced, was one of the earliest settlers of Minnesota, having been 
born at St. Paul, on March 27, 1855. It was his distinction to be one of 
the first white children born in St. Paul, which then was little more than 
a stockade. He was yet an infant when his parents moved to Carver county 
and he was only two years old when his father was killed.

Later his mother married Fred Lindquist and in 1871 the step-father and 
family moved to Belfast township, settling on a farm 3 miles north of 
Dundee. Here Mr. King grew to manhood, receiving an elementary education 
in the rural schools of which there were few at that time. He was a studious 
and ambitious young man, however, and the school experience and hard knocks 
broadened his vision and made of him a practical and unswerving citizen.

Attaining his majority he took a homestead in section 2 of Belfast township, 
which has since been his home. In 1882 Mr. King was united in marriage to 
Miss Lillian Van Buskirk, of Kansas, and to this union three children were 
born, one boy and two girls. The son died at the age of four months.

In all his long and useful life "Bill" King never forgot his duty; much 
less did he ever try to pass duty by. He learned early in life that the 
great heritage of being an American citizen called for sacrifice and 
service, that that heritage might not die in vain. He served on the school 
board in his district from its inception to the time that sickness forced 
him to give up. He also served his township long and well, resigning from 
the position of assessor only a short time ago, when his condition became 
so bad that he could no longer carry on. His life was in reality, one of 
service and no one called upon him but received aid and comfort.

The deceased's health began to fail him about three years ago. Always 
strong and vigorous, however, he did not give up until a year and a half 
ago he was forced to go to Rochester. Despite valiant efforts of the 
doctors there and at Fulda and Heron Lake, he continued to fail and a 
year ago was forced to his bed, paralysis having left him almost helpless.

Pain and misery gnawed at his nerves, but to all about him he remained 
the same good natured "Bill" King. His last days were made pleasing by 
the loving hands of those about him, who untiringly administered every 
comfort.

He leaves to mourn his loss his two daughters, Mrs. Henry Olson and Mrs. 
W. Brandon, both of Belfast, and seven grandchildren. One sister, Mrs. 
Ellen Larson, of Staples, Minn., and one half sister, also of Staples, 
and a half brother, Walter Lindquist besides a host of friends, also survive. 

Funeral services were held from the Presbyterian church in Dundee at 
2 o'clock yesterday, conducted by Rev. Saunders, of Luverne. Many members 
of the M.W.A. and I.O.O.F. lodges, of which he was long a member attended."