- ROBERT WALLACE KING, senior partner of the firm of KING &
SKELLY, booksellers and
- stationers, No. 20 West Milwaukee street, was born in Janesville,
Sept. 14, 1847, and is the son of John and Margaret (McKAY) KING,
whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. He was reared in
his native city, and received his education in the public schools.
He began his business career as clerk for ECHLIN & FOOTE,
clothiers of Janesville, and remained with that firm two years.
In the month of August, 1862, he enlisted in the late Civil
War, as a member of Company E, 22d Wisconsin Infantry, when but
fourteen year of age. He was commissioned drummer, and served
three years. During the battle of Brentwood he was captured with
his company by the Confederates, March 15, 1863, and was taken
to Libby Prison, where he was held a prisoner until exchanged
a few weeks later. After the battle of Spring Hill he engaged
with his company in guarding railroads against destruction by
Forrest's Cavalry; later was with Sherman on his march to the
sea, in the battles incident thereto, the capture of Atlanta,
etc., ending with the battle of Bentonville. He took part in
the grand review of the army at Washington, at the close of the
war, and was mustered out near that city in June, 1865, after
two and a half years of hard service.
- On his return to Janesville he took his old place in the
store of ECHLIN & FOOTE, where he
- remained two and a half years. He then joined his brother
in running a news stand in the old postoffice, and about 1876
opened a book and stationery store, which he has continued up
to the present time. He was also interested with J. H. GATELEY
in the wood and ice business for about fifteen months. On the
23d of April, 1888, he formed the existing partnership with William
J. SKELLY, this firm carrying a full line of books, stationery,
wall paper and blank books, together with periodicals, papers,
etc.
- Mr. KING was married on the 18th day of October, 1869, to
Miss Fannie PUTNAM, daughter
- of ex-Sheriff S. J. M. PUTNAM, now warden of the Asylum for
the Insane at Madison, Wis. Mrs. KING was born at Watertown,
N.Y. They have three children living; John D., aged nineteen;
Fred P., seventeen, and Frank M. thirteen. They have lost one
child, a son, Llewellyn, who died in infancy. Mrs. KING is a
member of All Souls Church. Mr. KING is an earnest Republican,
but has never sought or desired any political prominence. He
is an enterprising and successful business man, has made his
own way in the world, and in a quiet way commands the respect
and best wishes of those who have known him from boyhood.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, p. 305.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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