Charles King

Charles F. King, born in 1879, came to the Florida area of Henry County from Kansas as a young boy, along with his two brothers, Roy and Rolla, and a sister, Mattie. They lived with relatives and friends until they became adults.

Rolla remained in Florida and farmed most of his life.

Roy married Kathryn Rausch of Napoleon, moved to Toledo and worked for the New York Central for many years.

Mattie married Marvin Rehklau and lived in Cleveland.

At the start of the Spanish American War, Charles rode a bicycle to Wauseon to enlist in the Army, served in Cuba and was always very proud of his army days. He married Grace Martin, daughter of Samuel Martin, in 1903and they are said to have been the first couple married in the present Presbyterian Church.

Grace had a millinery shop downtown and would drive to work in a horse and buggy and then send the horse to find its way home. Charles worked for the railroad and when cars became popular he started an auto agency in 1913, on Main Street. He sold the Cole, Mitchell, and Brush autos.

They had four sons: Samuel, who died as a young boy; Norman; John; and Robert. Grace died in 1914. Charles married Josephine Dauber of Malinta in 1919 and moved his family to Toledo. Josephine died in 1924. He worked for Toledo Edison for many years and retired in 1949, moved to Florida and lived there until he died in 1957.

John King served in the Army in W W-2, stayed on in government service and is now retired and living in Florida.

Robert was in the Navy in WW-2 and after that worked at the Battelle Institute in Columbus and lives there now.

Norman came back to Napoleon in 1926 and lived at the home of his aunt, Mrs. Charles Jackson. He operated a Hi-Speed gas station at the corner of Welsted and Avon Place for some years. He married Alma Hahn, daughter, of the John Hahns in 1933. Their parents liked to reminisce about the coincidence that Charles King had sold John Hahn his first car in 1915.

Grace Martin King

Norman and Alma lived in Napoleon several years, then moved to Toledo. He served in the Air Force in WW-2. They have one son, Norman Jr. In 1949 they moved back to Napoleon where they now live. He has been a building contractor for many years.

Norman Jr., after graduating from Ohio State and Bowling Green State Universities married Christina Meyers, daughter of the Robert E. Meyers of Napoleon, in 1968. He went into the Army later that year and they both spent several years in Germany. He was then sent to South Viet Nam and in 1973 left the Army. They now live in Toledo and have two sons, Eric and Brian.

Submitted by Alma King