William S. King

Who was William S. King?

Colonel William Smith King was a Republican United States Representative for Minnesota from March 4, 1875 to March 3, 1877. He engaged in a variety of other activities, including journalism and surveying. King was born in Malone, New York in Franklin County where he grew up and attended the local schools and did agricultural work. In 1846, he moved to Otsego County, New York and worked as a solicitor for mutual insurance companies. He eventually became editor of the Free Democrat of Cooperstown, New York in 1852.

In 1858, King moved to Minneapolis, where he continued in journalism and agriculture. He founded the State Atlas newspaper in 1859. King became known for his strong editorials. Later, he helped create the Minneapolis Tribune, and became a major stockholder in the Pioneer Press in neighboring Saint Paul. There are also indications that he became a principal owner of the Minneapolis Journal.

King served as postmaster of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1861 to 1865 and 1867 to 1873. In 1874, he served as surveyor general of logs and lumber in the Third Congressional District of Minnesota. Following that, he served one term during the 44th congress.²