Thomas Butler King


Thomas Butler King I was an American politician from the state of Georgia. Late in his life, King spent 10 years in the then-new state of California, twice trying to become a senator from that state.

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. 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.
In 1824 he married Anna Matilda Page. 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. He also sought, unsuccessfully, to become senator from California. San Francisco's King Street, near the port and major rail yards, is named after him.

Death

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

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