GOODSPEED BIOGRAPHIES
Contributed by Charlene Holland
WILLIAM J. KING
William J. King is a surveyor and farmer of Scott County, Ark., and needs no introduction to the citizens of this section, for he has always identified himself with every movement and is correspondingly well known. He was born in Barto County Ga., in 1844, to William H. and Caroline C. (Holland) King, they being born in Georgia, where Mr. King spent his entire life, dying in September, 1888, his widow surviving him; both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. King was a successful farmer, and showed his approval of secret organizations by joining the A. F. & A. M. James King, his father, was born in Virginia, and died in Georgia before the war, he being also a farmer. James Holland, the mother's father, was a farmer of Georgia, and there spent the last of his days. William J. King spent his early days on a farm, but his school days were very few. In 1862 he espoused the Confederate cause, joining Company H, Eighteenth Georgia Infantry in Virginia, under Gen. Longstreet, and fought at Gettysburg, Wilderness, Antietam, Fredericksburg, and numerous others. He was wounded at the battle of Wilderness, and just before the close of the war was furloughed and went home. In 1869 he came to Scott County, Ark., with the expectation of bettering his fortunes, and in this has not been disappointed, for he now has a valuable farm of 397 acres. He was married in this county, in 1871, to Miss Malinda W., daughter of Calvin R. and Nancy Taff, both of whom were born in Tennessee, moving, about 1858, to Scott County, where they received their final summons. Mrs. King is a Tennesseean by birth, and she and Mr. King have become the parents of nine children, eight of whom are living. In 1886 Mr. King was elected county surveyor, and has since served by re-election. He and his wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years.