Charles Henry King
| Charles Henry King | |
|---|---|
| Born |
March 12, 1853 Perry Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Died | February 27, 1930 (aged 76) Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Resting place | Forest Lawn Cemetery |
| Occupation | Banker and Freight Operator |
| Known for | Founding of cities in Nebraska and Wyoming |
| Spouse(s) | Martha Alicia Porter |
| Children | Gertrude M. King Charles B. King Leslie Lynch King Savilla King Marietta H. King |
| Relatives |
Gerald Ford (grandson) Susan Ford Bales (great-granddaughter) Michael Gerald Ford (great-grandson) John Gardner Ford (great-grandson) Steven Ford (great-grandson) |
Charles Henry King (March 12, 1853 – February 27, 1930) was an Omaha businessman and banker who was instrumental in founding several cities in the states of Nebraska and Wyoming. He saw opportunity with the expansion of the railroad west and built up related retail businesses, banks and freight operations. His fortune was estimated at $20 million. He was also the paternal grandfather of U.S. President Gerald Ford, who was born in his home in Omaha.
King was born in Perry Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, the son of Lynch King and Rebecca Shepherd. King married Martha Alicia Porter, with whom he had five children who lived to adulthood: two sons and three daughters, two of them born in Chadron, Nebraska. King's son, Leslie, married Dorothy Ayer Gardner in September 7, 1912. They were married in Harvard, Illinois at her parents' home, but returned to Omaha to live, as that was where Leslie was working. After Dorothy became pregnant, Leslie moved into his parents' home to await the birth of his son, and he named him Leslie, Jr.. Because of problems with alcohol abuse, Dorothy and Leslie were separated sixteen days after their son's birth. Dorothy moved to her sister's home and then to her parents, who had moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her divorce from Leslie was finalized in December 1913.
Starting in the 1880s, King began to set up stores, banks and freighting operations in locations which he expected to be destinations on the westward expansion of the Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley Railroad. This later became the Chicago and North Western Transportation Company Railroad. His company was C.H. King and Company. By his strategic vision, he was ready to supply pioneers and settlers. In the process, King was instrumental in the development of Chadron, Nebraska. While the King family lived in Chadron, two of their five children were born there, including Leslie.
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