Hopkins Co. Tx - Profess King is 80 years old (1939) From: June E. Tuck ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** From the historical files of June E. Tuck, who does not validate or dispute any historical facts in the article. Professor King, Beloved by All, Is 80 Years Old - 1939 Sam Jonathon King, Hopkins County schoolmaster, who perhaps has seen more of his pupils attain a success in life than any other one teacher in Texas, Thursday was quietly observing his 80th birthday anniversary at his home on Gilmer Street. Professor King, whose splendid reputation as a schoolmaster has been carried to far away points, is known and deeply admired by literally thousands of people. Hundreds of his former students lists him as a personal friend. In splendid health, Prof. King is almost a daily visitor in town, walking with a brisk step, carrying a cane on his arm, but stopping often to engage in conversation with a friend. "While my teaching methods now probably would be considered an antique, "Prof. King declared, smiling as he talked today, "I would like to be teaching this year. Next to teaching, I like to preach," he continued." Born at Tarrant on September 21, 1859, when that small settlement was the county seat Hopkins County, Prof. King was named for General Sam Houston, who on that date spoke in a joint debate near his birth site. Later, Prof. King changed the "H" in his name to "J" in honor of an uncle. A veteran of 55 years of teaching, Prof. King has taught in Hopkins County and Wood County, and once for two years in Colorado, after his health had failed and he was required to leave his native state. When he returned home, he recalls, it was late in the year and no school was available. Friends of education in Winnsboro built a school and teacherage (sic,) and Prof King continued his teaching at that place. Prof King has taught at many places, in public and private schools. He served as President of Central College in Sulphur Springs before his health failed and he went to Colorado. He has turned out perhaps more teachers in East Texas than any other educator, with the exception of the late W. L. Mayo, whose school later was made into East Texas Teachers College. His wife, is now 68 years old, taught along side him for 36 years. They have been married 40 years. Six children by a previous marriage have all married well, Prof. King recalls. Gladys married Russell M. Chaney, Sulphur Springs postmaster. Vera is married to Walter Reed Cranford, son of Congressman and Mrs. Cranford of Galveston. Eva is married to Robert V. Turner of Montgomery, Alabama. Ruth is married to Carl Lewis, Ralls, Texas, banker. Neely (sic) is married to James Redfearn of Plainview, and Fanny is married to Hugh Goggins, oil man of Levelland, Texas. After retiring from the teaching profession a number of years ago, Prof. King joined the Layman^Òs movement of the Methodist Church along with L. H. Avinger and Claude McCorkle of Sulphur Springs. He preaches almost every Sunday in some church. He occupies the pulpits of church by invitations of pastors or people, and preaches in churches of all denominations. He is looking forward to preaching at the St. Johns Methodist church in Dallas on Sunday, October 8th. While the names of Prof. King^Òs pupils who have gained success in the world are most too numerous to mention, among those he recalled were Dr. Frankie Long, the late Dr. J. Bert Thomas, Judge N. H. Cannon, the Rev. J.P. Fleming, Rev. W.L. Akin, the Rev. Hightower, W. A. Thornton, Judge W. M. Pierson, Judge Grover Sellers, Dr. Hodge Sellers, and many, many others.