Thomas Butler King

Thomas Butler King I (August 27, 1800 – May 10, 1864) was an American politician from the state of Georgia.[1] Late in his life, King spent 10 years in the then-new state of California, twice trying (but failing) to become a senator from that state.

Thomas Butler King
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Georgia's At-large & 1st district
In office March 4, 1839 – March 3, 1843 March 4, 1845 – March 3, 1850
Preceded by	George W. Towns Alexander Stephens
Succeeded by	John B. Lamar Joseph W. Jackson
Member of the Georgia Senate
In office 1832 1834–1835 1837
Personal details
Born	August 27, 1800 Palmer, Massachusetts
Died	May 10, 1864 (aged 63) Waresboro, Georgia
Resting place	Churchyard of Christ Church, Frederica, St. Simons, Georgia
Political party	Whig
Spouse(s)	Anna Matilda Page (c. 1800 – 1859)
Children	John Floyd King

Early life

He was born on August 27, 1800 in Palmer, Massachusetts to Daniel King and Hannah Lord. He was of English descent. Among his first ancestors coming to America was John King, of Edwardstone, Suffolk, England, who, in 1715 was the first settler on a tract of land in what was then known as the Colony of Massachusetts. For a generation or more this tract of land was known as Kingstown. Afterwards it was called Palmer.[2] He attended Westfield State University and then studied law under his brother, Henry King in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He was admitted to the Pennsylvania State Bar in 1822.

Georgia

In 1823 he traveled with his brother, Stephen Clay King, to practice law in Waynesville, Georgia.[1][3]

In 1824 he married Anna Matilda Page (c. 1800 – 1859). They had ten children who survived to adulthood including a son, John Floyd King. Thomas was elected to the Georgia Senate in 1832 to represent Glynn County, Georgia. He served in that position in 1834, 1835, and again in 1837. He was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1838 to the 26th United States Congress.

California

He accepted an appointment in California as tax collector for the Port of San Francisco under Millard Fillmore. He then went to work as a lobbyist for the Southern Pacific Railroad Company.[1][3] He also sought, unsuccessfully, to become senator from California.[3] San Francisco's King Street, near the port and major rail yards, is named after him.[4]

Death

King died in Waresboro, Georgia on May 10, 1864. He was buried in the churchyard of Christ Church on St. Simons Island.[3]

See also

• United States House election, 1838
• Brunswick–Altamaha Canal

Further reading

Edward M. Steel, Jr. T. Butler King of Georgia (University of Georgia Press: 1964)

References

1. "Thomas Butler King". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 2011-11-18. Representative from Georgia; born in Palmer, Hampden County, Mass., August 27, 1800; received private instructions and also attended Westfield Academy; read law with his brother at Allentown, Pa. ...
2. Northen, W.J.; Graves, J.T. (1911). Men of Mark in Georgia: A Complete and Elaborate History of the State from Its Settlement to the Present Time, Chiefly Told in Biographies and Autobiographies of the Most Eminent Men of Each Period of Georgia's Progress and Development. 3. A. B. Caldwell. pp. 17–312. Retrieved 2015-04-10.
3. "Thomas Butler King (1800-1864)". New Georgia Encyclopedia. University of Georgia Press. Retrieved 2011-11-18. King was born in Palmer, Massachusetts, the son of Daniel and Hannah Lord King. He attended Westfield Academy in Massachusetts and studied law under his brother Henry in Allentown, Pennsylvania....
4. "King Street Historical Marker". The Historical Marker Database. Retrieved 2016-08-22.

External Links

• Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library, Emory University: T. Butler King papers,1845-1851

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by George W. Towns	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Georgia's at-large congressional district March 4, 1839 – March 3, 1843	Succeeded by John Basil Lamar
Preceded by Alexander H. Stephens	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Georgia's 1st congressional district March 4, 1845 – March 3, 1850	Succeeded by Joseph W. Jackson