Capt. Joseph D. King
Capt. Joseph D. King, a son of Gen. John B. King, was born March 21, 1836, at Ravenna, this county, and passed his youth on his father's farm adjoining Ravenna, during which period he attended the village schools, graduating at the Union Schools of that place. Subsequently he attended Tappan Seminary. He read law in the office of John L. Ranney, intending to teach school at intervals in order to obtain the money wherewithal to continue his studies, but his health having failed he was obliged to discontinue his legal studies, and shortly afterward made a visit South for his health, extending over a period of eighteen months. Returning from Texas in June, the following September he went to Vassalboro Township, Kennebec Co., Me., where, September 19, 1860, he was married to a former schoolmate at Tappan Seminary, Miss Lucy L., daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Homans, of that place, and returned with his bride to Portage County. Two children were the result of this union: Stephen G. O., born December 26, 1867, and Frederick B., bom March 5, 1872. He engaged in farming near Campbellsport. The war breaking out in 1861, our subject was among the first to offer his services in defense of the Union, and organized a company of artillery, which was afterward consolidated with Company I, First Regiment Ohio Volunteer Light Artillery, of which he was elected First Lieutenant. They reported soon afterward for service at Charleston, W. Va., on the Kanawha River. In June, 1862, while convalescent at hospital, and some eighty miles inside the Union lines, he and his cousin, William King, were taken prisoner by a detachment of Ashby's Rebel cavalry. They were kept prisoners at Lynchburg, Staunton, Va., Salisbury, and from Salisbury were moved to Libby Prison, at which place they were confined ten days, when they were fortunate in being paroled and thus escaped the horrors of that prison. Mr. King was then ordered to Columbus, Ohio, and was put in command of the paroled prisoners' camp, where he remained until his resignation in November, 1862. He then returned home and embarked in the milling business at Campbellsport, this county, also in company with his brother built the Atlantic Mills at Ravenna, and was engaged in this industry two years, since when he has given his entire attention to farming. He owns 100 acres partly in and partly adjoining the village corporation, where he resides. In politics Capt. King is Democratic. He is a member of the Universalist Church.
From History of Portage County, Ohio, Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, 1885