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James Albert King, formerly engaged in the grocery business at No. 601 Main street, Coshocton, his native city, was born Janaury 22, 1872. He is the son of William H. King, of whom mention is made in connection with the sketch of M. H. King in another page of this work. His mother, Mrs. Margaret King, was born in Chili, Ohio, and is still living. The fourth in order of birth in a family of eleven children James A. King spent his boyhood in Coshocton as a public-school student, devoting one year to study in the high school. He put aside his text-books, however, at the age of fourteen and began earning his livelihood as an employee of the firm of Snyder & Son, grocers, with whom he remained until eighteen years of age. He first served them as a delivery boy, but worked his way upward and gained a thorough knowledge of the business. He afterward went to Zanesville, OHio, where for two years and ine months he was employed in the grocery establishment of W. H. Harris & Sons. During that time, he thoroughly learned the grocery trade in principle and detail, and on the expiration of that period he returned to Coshocton where he entered the employ of W. F. Ferguson & Son, also in the grocery line. He was with that house for two years, at the end of which time Snyder & Son bought back the business and Mr. King remained in their employ for three years. He next entered the employ of S. F. Simmons & Son, grocers, with whom he was associated for fifteen months, when for the third time he entered the service of Snyder & Son, with whom he continued for seven years. That the firm took again into their service was indicative of the fact that they regarded him as a valuable addition to their working force and placed in him implicit trust and confidence. Prompted by a laudable ambition to engage in busienss on his own account Mr. King saved his earnings until his diligence and economy had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to engage in business for himself on the 20th of July, 1904, as a member of the firm of King & Whitens. When they dissolved partnership George King became the successor of the junior member, and the firm of King Brothers was then formed and so existed for nine months. In May, 1906, James A. King bought out his brother and continues alone to the present time. He carried a large line of staple and fancy groceries, handling high grade goods and has gradually built up a business which yields him a return that classes him with the men of affluence of Coshocton. On the 3d of June, 1896, Mr. King was married to Miss Rose E. Shroyer, of Franklin township, Coshocton county. They have one son, Harry Allen, born March 3, 1899. Mr. King is connected through membership relations with the fraternal order of Eagles and the National Insurance Company. The republican party finds in him an active and helpful supporter, and for two terms he filled the office of township trustee. He belongs to the Busienss Men's Association and is in hearty sympathy with its object of promoting the trade relations of Coshocton and extending the scope of its manufacturing and industrial activity. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished in his own business career for, starting out at the age of fourteen years, he has made gradual advancemeent, depending entirely upon industry, integrity and energy to secure him promotion. His record commends him to the trust of his fellowmen, and he deserves the success which makes him a leading grocer of his city.
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