Fred L. King, who is engaged in truck gardening upon a tract of land of fifteen acres on section 13, Mount Pleasant Township, was born in St. Charles, Illinois, August 18, 1854, and is a son of Edmond and Mary (Rice) King, of whom mention is made on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of their son, Frank E. King. After mastering the preliminary branches of learning as a district school pupil Fred L. King continued his education in the town schools until 1868, when his parents removed to Green County, Wisconsin, where they lived for two years. On the expiration of that period he came with them to Racine County and while under the parental roof he was trained to habits of industry and economy and was instructed in those principles which are the basic element of upright manhood.
When eighteen years of age Mr. King started out in life on his own account and learned the carriage painting trade, at which he worked for three or four years. He spent one year in the McAvoy carriage shop and afterward went to Texas, where he engaged in ranching for four or five years. In fact he has been identified with ranch interests throughout the southwest and upon leaving that section of the country made his way to St. Louis, where he began railroading, in which connection he worked his way upward to the position of engineer on the Iron Mountain Railroad. He afterward ran an engine on the Cairo & St. Louis Railroad for several years and later returned to Racine County, where for eight years he was connected with his brother in the further development and cultivation of the old home farm. At the end of that time he purchased three and one-half acres at Mygatts Corners and still later bought other land. At present he is farming fifteen acres devoted to truck gardening and he now produces large crops, for which he finds a ready sale on the market.
On the 8th of February, 1887, near Los Vegas, New Mexico, Mr. King was united in marriage to Miss Lena Jrupe, a daughter of Henry and Wilhelmina (Shermer) Jrupe, both of whom were natives of Germany, whence they came to Illinois in early life. They have now passed away and their remains were interred in Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. King have become parents of a son, Edmund L., who married Helen Cheeseman and has one child, Edmund Ellsworth.
Politically Mr. King is a republican and has served as chairman of the town committee. He has been a member of the school board and the cause of public education finds him an earnest supporter. He attends the Baptist church and conforms his life to its teachings, always endeavoring to follow the golden rule. He has been a diligent worker and has made his own success and at the same time he has molded his character in such a manner as to merit and enjoy the high regard and respect of his fellow townsmen.