Ora C. King
A farmer business man is a phrase that well characterizes Ora C. King of Sweetser. Getting his initial prosperity through hard headed, practical management of the soil and its products, he latterly has branched out into business and is now president of the farmers State Bank of Sweetser, and interested in several other important concerns in that part of Grant County. Mr. King got an early start in his career, and is still a very young man for all that he has accomplished.
His birth occurred on the farm where he now lives, three quarters of a mile west of Sweetser in Pleasant Township, January 11, 1880. His parents were Alvin C. and Elnora King. The mother is the daughter of Julius C. Lake, a prominent farmer of Pleasant Township. Alvin C. King is deceased, and his wife, who was married a second time, now lives at 604 Spencer Avenue in Marion. The three living children of Alvin C. King and wife are Eva, a graduate of the Sweetser schools, and the wife of Elbert Stephens of Marion; Ethel, a graduate of the Sweetser schools, and wife of George Leming of Marion; and Ora C.
Reared on the home farm Ora C. King as a boy went tot eh town schools of Sweetser, Marion Normal College, Marion, Indiana, and the Indianapolis Business College at Indianapolis. He then taught school in Grant county for three years. He later returned to the management of the home farm.
In September, 1903, at the age of twenty-three, Mr. King married Mary D. Morris, who was born near Swayzee in Sims Township, received her education in the Swayzee High School, and for one year before her marriage was a teacher. Mr. and Mrs. King have one child, Herman C., aged four years. Mrs. King is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Sweetser.
Mr. King was one of the organizers of the Farmers State Bank of Sweetser, and at its organization was elected president, and office which he has held to the present time. He is one of its largest shareholders. The other officers are as follows: John N. Miller, vice president; Williard Elkins, cashier; Nelson L. Shockey, A.E. Reece, George C. Baum, William Hoover, Charles W. Simmons, Joseph P. Winger, Preston Shields, Ora C. King and John Miller, directors.
Mr. King is a member and also president of the farmers Progressive Club and is a stockholder in the Sweeter Telephone Company. On his farm he operates one hundred and four acres of land, and gives very successful attention to the breeding of cattle, sheep and hogs.
Submitted by: Gina Reasoner