King, Horatio

KING, Horatio, American statesman: b. Paris, Me., 21 June 1811; d. Washington, D. C, 20 May 1897. He learned the printer's trade and published The Jeffersonian in his native town, and subsequently in Portland, 1831-38. The next year he was appointed clerk in the Post Office Department in Washington; became First Assistant Postmaster-General in 1854; was Postmaster-General January- March 1861; and was the first man in public office to deny the power of a State to withdraw from the Union. He published 'An Oration before the Union Literary Society of Washington' (1841); 'Sketches of Travel; or Twelve Months in Europe' (1878).

HORATIO KING was born in Paris, Oxford county, Me., on June 21, 1811.  His grandfather, George King, fought in the war of the Revolution.  Horatio received a common school education, and at the age of eighteen entered the office of the Paris Jeffersonian, where he learned printing, afterward becoming owner and editor of the paper.  In 1833 he moved to Portland, where he continued to publish his paper until 1838. In November of that year he went to Washington, D. C., and in March, 1839, was appointed a clerk in the Post-office Department, and was gradually promoted.  In 1854 he was appointed First Assistant Postmaster-General, and in 1861, as Acting Postmaster-General, he was questioned by a member of Congress from South Carolina with regard to the franking privilege.  In his reply Mr. King was the first officially to deny the power of a State to separate from the Union.  He was then appointed Postmaster-General, serving until March 7, 1861.  After his retirement from office, Mr. King practiced in Washington as an attorney before the Executive Departments and International Commissions, until about 1880, when he gave up all active business.  He has been a frequent contributor to the press, and has published "An Oration before the Union Literary Society of Washington," (Washington, D. C., 1841), and "Sketches of Travel, or Twelve Months in Europe," (1878).