John Daniel King was born on 22 March 1876 in Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky, United States, son of Joshua D. King (1845–1898) and Sarah Wild (1849–1884).[1]
He enlisted with the US Army Coast Artillery Corps in 26 July 1899 and was discharged 25 July 1902. He was a Corporal in the 99th.[2][3]
He had two sons.Fred King (1897-1965) and Raymond King (1902-1966), out-of-wedlock with a cousin, Sarah Elizabeth King (1862-aft.1910), while living in Kentucky.
By 1910 he was living in Baxter County, Arkansas.[4]
He married May Arnold in 1915. Their children were J.D., Ruben, Grady, and Geraldine.[5] [6] [7]
They owned and operated the post office and general store at Hopewell. Later, they had the King Store in Norfork.[8]
He died in 1956 in California[9] and is buried at Galatia Cemetery in Baxter County, Arkansas. [10]
I may have told you this one before on the Kings, but I'll tell it again in case you wish to get it in your history.
Aunt May King was visiting us after she had moved to California. Uncle Dan was diabetic and had lost one of his legs (he may have lost both before he died.) We had the Methodist preacher, Brother Owen Love, and the Baptist preacher, Brother George Roberts, for dinner that Sunday. We were gathered around the dining table, and Mother thought that she would try to include Aunt May in the conversation so she asked Aunt May just how Uncle Dan was doing. She answered that he was doing all right. Mom commented, "I never thought he'd live this long after he lost his leg." Aunt May's response was, "Oh, he's too mean to die!".
Us kids got tickled and both preachers were trying their best to keep a straight face. Mom was flabbergasted, I think, but she kinda frowned at us kids and we straightened up and the preachers managed to keep their faces to a grin.
I'm surprised that Brother Love didn't roll because he was so full of meanness himself.
Jaydine, [May's niece]
I heard another funny story on the family that I will pass on. Aunt Willie told that when Grandma's house burned, Aunt Willie was crying and Grandma said, "Oh, Willie, don't cry. This house burning didn't hurt me half as bad as May marrying Dan King!" Jaydine.
Original Message From: William Berry <williamberry@XXX>. To: Jaydine <cen58087@XXXX>. Date:Sunday, January 16, 2000 12:54 AM.
Subject: Re: Report.
Thanx for all the info on the King clan. You sure did know a lot more than I did.
I certainly didn't know that Raymond was buried at Galatia. Next time I go to the cemetery, I'll try to find his grave. Just curious about his age, date of birth and date of death, etc. I knew that Grandma wasn't too fond of Dan King but had never heard her mention that he had had children by a cousin or aunt. I just thought she didn't much cotton to his being such a slob and for the way he treated A May.
I remember when I used to visit A May at the Hopewell store and she would sneak me a few pieces of candy and then tell me not to let Dan see me eating it :).
I'll bet I've seen him spit on the store floor dozens of time. I think he spit whichever way his head happened to be turned. I thought he was the nastiest person I'd ever seen. Also, I always felt so sorry for poor old A May for being stuck with him. I really have my doubts about her loving him. I don't think Dan loved anyone; at least he never acted like he did.
I thought that was a cute statement that A Mertie made about now being the oldest member of our clan. She sure is!!! We will have to start calling her the matriarch now, since A Willie is gone.
I'd better knock it off and make my way to the sack. Love, H [Howard Berry].
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