Background
Dorothy Gardner was born in the small town of Harvard, Illinois to Levi Addison Gardner, a businessman and one-time mayor, and Adele Augusta (Ayer) Gardner.
Dorothy Gardner was born in the small town of Harvard, Illinois to Levi Addison Gardner, a businessman and one-time mayor, and Adele Augusta (Ayer) Gardner.
She had met him while she was in college, as he was the charming brother of her roommate. The couple returned to Omaha, King"s home. Dorothy and Leslie King"s son was born on July 14, 1913.
In Omaha she further discovered he was a liar and alcoholic, but she was soon pregnant.
Divorce was unusual then, but she refused to continue to risk her son"s safety or her own. Dorothy Gardner King quickly filed for formal separation and divorce.
On December 19, 1913, an Omaha court granted a divorce to the Kings. Leslie King refused to pay child support.
His father Charles Henry King paid it until shortly before his death in 1930.