Washington

KING, Clark

Genealogical and Family History of the State of Vermont: A Record of the 
Achievements of Her People in the Making of a Commonwealth and the Founding 
of a Nation. Carleton, ed. Chicago: Lewis, 1903, pp 368-370

Clark KING, prominent for what he has done in commercial circles and 
political affairs, was born 08 October 1830 in Montpelier [Washington County, 
Vermont]. His father, Dr. Nathaniel C. KING, was born 19 July 1789 in 
Rochester [Plymouth County], Massachusetts, his parents being Deacon Jonathan 
and Mary (CLARK) KING. When sixteen years of age Dr. [Nathaniel] KING began 
teaching school, and three years later he took up the study of medicine. In 
connection with Dr. FOSTER, of Rochester, he visited patients, and under the 
direction of his preceptor mastered many of the best textbooks upon medical 
principles. When twenty-two years of age he went to Hanover [Grafton 
County], New Hampshire, where he attended medical lectures, and in 1812 he 
settled in North Montpelier for the practice of his profession. In 1814 he 
served as a surgeon on the Plattsburg expedition during the second war with 
England. He met with excellent success in his profession, but about 1817 he 
relinquished it in order to engage in merchandising in connection with his 
father-in-law. In the new venture he prospered and became one of the wealthy 
men of the state.

He [Dr. Nathaniel KING] took a deep and abiding interest in everything 
pertaining to public progress and advancement, and in 1849 and 1850 
represented his district in the state legislature. Through a long period he 
served as justice of the peace, and probably no justice of the state during 
the same period had a larger local business to attend to. In manner he was 
genial, and a fund of anecdote heightened his conversation. In early manhood 
he [Nathaniel KING] was united in marriage to Miss Fannie DAVIS, a daughter 
of Nathaniel DAVIS, one of the founders of the town of Montpelier. To them 
were born the following: (1) Elsie Caroline, who was born 06 April 1818, 
and is now deceased; (2) Edward Davis, who was born 05 October 1820, and 
died 24 June 1825; (3) Diana F., who was born 10 June 1826, and is the widow 
of Sumner PUTNAM, her home being in Montpelier; (4) Clark, who was born in 
January 1828, and died 24 June 1828; and (5) Clark [the second of that 
name], whose name introduces his review. Dr. [Nathaniel] KING died 01 
December 1882, and was the oldest man living in his town at the time, having 
attained the age of ninety-three years. His wife [Fannie (DAVIS) KING], who 
was born 31 March 1794, passed away 20 November 1847.

Clark KING pursued his education in the district schools and academy at South 
Woodstock [Windsor County], Vermont. When his native town was divided he 
became a resident of the portion known as East Montpelier [Washington 
County]. For a number of years in early life he carried on general farming, 
but later turned his attention to the produce business, which claimed his 
time and energies for thirty years, and brought to him desirable success. 
He is now retired, having secured a comfortable competence. For ten years he 
was a director in the Montpelier National Bank, and in financial and social 
circles his word was as good as any bond ever solemnized by signature or seal.

On 29 August 1855 in Barre [Washington County], Vermont, Clark KING was 
united in marriage to Rhoda A. DODGE, a daughter of Andrew J. DODGE, and to 
them have been born the following: (1) Cora, who became the wife of A. P. 
JOHNNOTT, and died leaving a daughter, Cora K.; (2) Nathaniel C., born 04 
June 1861, who was educated at the University of Vermont at Burlington and 
Columbia College of New York, and is a prominent physician of Brockton 
[Plymouth County], Massachusetts; he married [Miss?] Alice PORTER of that 
place; (3) Charles Carroll, who was born 13 January 1863, who completed his 
literary studies in Harvard College, is also a graduate of Harvard Law 
School, and is now practicing law in Brockton; he married [Miss?] Etta ALLEN, 
and is a leading and influential resident there, is a warden and chairman of 
the board of trustees of the Unitarian church, and in politics a Republican.

The Republican party also receives the endorsement and aid of Clark KING, who 
has been called to many local offices in the town of East Montpelier. From 
1867 until 1870 he served as chairman of the board of selectmen, and from 
1872 until 1874 represented Washington County in the state senate, leaving 
the impress of his individuality upon the legislation enacted during that 
period. For a quarter of a century he has been a trustee of Gooddard 
Seminary of Barre [Washington County], Vermont. In manner Mr. KING is quiet 
and straightforward. His success has come to him not as the result of 
fortunate circumstances, but through energy, labor and perseverance, directed 
by honorable business principles.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly