Background
He was also the paternal grandfather of United States. President Gerald Ford, who was born in his home in Omaha. King was born in Perry Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, the son of Lynch King and Rebecca Shepherd.
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Charles King
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He saw opportunity with the expansion of the railroad west and built up related retail businesses, banks and freight operations. His fortune was estimated at $20 million. Starting in the 1880s, King began to set up stores, banks and freighting operations in locations which he expected to be destinations on the westward expansion of the Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley Railroad.
This later became the Chicago and North Western Transportation Company Railroad.
His company was C.H. King and Company. By his strategic vision, he was ready to supply pioneers and settlers.
In the process, King was instrumental in the development of Chadron, Nebraska. King also helped found the Wyoming communities of Fetterman City, Douglas and Casper.
In 1889 King expanded into banking and on June 10, 1889, added the word "bankers" to the name of his company.
In 1896 he sold the bank. At one time the First National Bank of Casper, it is now part of the First Interstate BancSystem based in Wyoming and Montana. King then concentrated on a freight business between the rail line terminus in Casper and the mineral-rich Wind River region.
He helped found the Wyoming communities of Shoshoni, Riverton, and Arapahoe.
In 1908 King moved his family to the growing regional city of Omaha, Nebraska. To crown his success, he commissioned a three-story, 14-room Victorian mansion in central Omaha at 3202 Woolworth Avenue.
The mansion was noted for its ornate ballroom, in which Charles and Martha entertained many guests. King managed the Omaha Wool and Storage Company in the city.
King"s wealth was estimated to have been up to $20 million.
Perhaps because of scandal arising from Leslie"s divorce and allegations of abuse against him, the Kings retired from business in 1913 and moved to California. They were interred in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Glendale, California near Leslie. The site of C. H. King"s mansion in Omaha has been recognized as the Gerald Ford Birthplace and Gardens historic site.
The C.H. King Company and First Union Bank Building in Shoshoni, Wyoming has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The current occupant is Yellowstone Drug.
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Born
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Died
February 27, 1930 (aged 76) -
Nationality
United States