An Illustraied History of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties, 1902
published by Western Historical Publishing Company

Lemuel D. King & Hattie J. (Gillenwater) King

Born in the greatest mining state of the Union, California, in Siskiyou county, on November 3, 1861, and at three years of age removed with his parents to Grant county, equally famed with her sister political organization in the production of the minerals, he has been associated with the great industry of producing the minerals from the native soil since his earliest remembrance; using his own words, he was "Raised in the mines, and educated in the public schools." His parents were Flavius J. and Nancy C. (Fancher) King, natives respectively of Arkansas and Alabama, who crossed the plains with ox teams in 1859 and wrought on the Pacific coast for many years in the development of the resources and the advancement of its interests. The father was A cabinet maker and designer. He passed from the scenes of life in Washington, on December 18, 1897, and the mother departed this life at Susanville, Grant county, in 1883.

The immediate subject of this sketch began the battle of life on his own account when he was eighteen years of age and mining was the work that he first took up, and more ore less he has continued at that occupation since. He also raised stock in connection with the former, Susanville being his headquarters until 1883, at which time he sold his cattle and repaired to the John Day valley and occupied himself with farming and teaming until 1887. In that year he migrated to Baker county and acquired land where he is living at the present time, eight miles southeast of Whitney. He continued the mining industry and stock raising and added farming. He formed a partnership with his uncle, Lemuel Barnett, and together they own three hundred and twenty acres of land and handle one hundred and twenty-five head of cattle. They are progressive and prosperous and are among the most substantial citizens of the entire county. In addition to the property already mentioned, Mr. King is equally interested with his uncle in the Phoenix and other mines which give great promise of value and richness.

At Prairie City, Grant county, on July 18, 1882, Mr. King and Hattie J., daughter of Joseph C. and Sarah J. (Dimmick) Gillenwater, and a native of Grant county, were married, and they have become the parents of the following children: H. Pearl, married to Joseph B. Hardman, and is living near by: Lemuel J.; William C. and Mary Z., twins; Audry M. Mrs. King's parents were among the first settlers of Grant county, and the father is a native of Tennessee and the mother of Illinois. Mr. King is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a man respected and esteemed by all and has made a record for faithfulness and enterprising accomplishment that is both worthy and commendable, while his integrity and uprightness are manifest to all who have to do wit him.

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