"An Illustrated history of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties : with a
brief outline of the early history of the state of Oregon." Chicago?: Western
Historical Pub. Co., 1902.  Page 576.  Malheur County.

HON. WILLIAM RUFUS KING

     Among those granted representation in this volume, none is more worthy of
notice, than the subject of this sketch.  As a public spirited citizen, he
enjoys the confidence of the people and has become well and popularly known, not
only throughout Malheur and adjoining counties, but throughout the whole state.
     On October 3, 1864, near Walla Walla, Washington, David R. King and
Elizabeth (Estes) King, became the parents of a boy, whom they named William
Rufus.  His parents were pioneers of Walla Walla, Washington, arriving from
Arkansas in 1860, his father being captain of a large immigrant train, crossing
what was known as "the plains" -- the journey being through the dangerous Indian
countries between the Mississippi and the Pacific coast.  At the age of nine
years he moved with his parents to Weston, Oregon, and five years later, in
1878, to Jordan Valley, in this county.
     After receiving his preliminary education in the common schools, he entered
the Agricultural College, at Corvallis, Oregon, where he pursued his studies for
three years.  He returned again to the farm, but in 1889 left it to take up the
study of law at the law school in Danville, Indiana.
     After graduating with high honors in 1891, he was admitted to practice by
the supreme court of Indiana, and entered a law office in the city of
Indianapolis.  He remained there but a few months, when he returned to this
county and opened a office for the practice of law, at Vale, Oregon.
     In 1892 Mr. King was elected state representative for Malheur county, on
the Democratic ticket.  Removing to Baker City in 1893 he was elected, in 1894,
state senator for Malheur and Baker counties, receiving a majority of three
hundred and eighty over Hon. C. A. Johns, the Republican nominee.
     In his services in the legislature he exhibited the same devotion to the
interests of the people as he did to his own affairs in private life.  His whole
legislative career was marked by such honest and fearless aggressiveness,
coupled with a keen perception and sound conservative judgment, that he became a
recognized leader of the reform forces in the legislature and throughout the
state.  The confidence reposed in him was so great that in 1898, he was chosen
by the allied Democratic Populist and Silver Republican forces, as the nominee
against Hon. T. T. Geer, for the governorship of Oregon.  Although Mr. King was
defeated in his race for governor, he made such a clean, honest, energetic
campaign that he greatly reduced the large Republican majority in Oregon, won
many warm friends throughout the state and increased his already enviable
reputation as a leader in public affairs.
     After his removal to Baker City he formed a law partnership with F. M.
Saxton, under the firm name of King & Saxton.  On account of the large practice
this firm soon enjoyed in this and Harney counties, Mr. King decided to return
to Malheur county, and in 1899, established himself in Ontario, where he now has
one of the finest and best equipped law offices in eastern Oregon, and enjoys a
large and lucrative practice.
     Fraternally he is a member of the A. F.& A. M., Baker Lodge, No. 47; of the
K. of P., Lodge No. 46, of Ontario; of the Woodmen of the World; and of the
Royal Arcanum.
     On December 6, 1892, Mr. King was united in marriage to Miss L. Myrtle
King, of Danville, Indiana, to which union two children have been born, Eldon P.
King and Myrtle M. King.

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in February 2006 by Diana Smith. Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.