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William E. King (1885–1967) was an American lawyer and politician in Illinois.[1][6][7] He served as a state legislator in the Illinois House of Representatives for eight years, followed by a full term as a state senator. He represented Illinois's 1st House of Representatives district.[8]

Early life and education

He was born in 1885 in Oak Ridge, Morehouse Parish, Louisiana.[1][3] His parents were Selina and John King.[5] As a child, King attended the Coleman Academy (also Coleman College) in Gibsland, Louisiana.[5]

King earned his undergraduate degree at Philander-Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas.[5] He studied law at Howard University followed by John Marshall School of Law, where he graduated in 1915.[5][2][9] His mentor was Oscar Stanton De Priest.[2]

Career and life

Williams was admitted to the bar in 1916.[3] In June 1919, married Blanche Hastings.[3][5] The following year, 1920, the couple had a daughter, Blanche[5] As a lawyer, he worked from 1919 until 1923 for the City of Chicago as assistant counsel to their corporation department.[1][5] He spent two years as the assistant Illinois Attorney General from 1923 until 1925.[1][5]

A member of the Republican Party,[10] he was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1925.[2] He would serve in the House for eight years representing the 1st district.[1] During his tenure in the House, King led successful efforts to make the Ku Klux Klan illegal in Illinois.[2][5] He also served on a committee that studied the impact of the Chicago race riot of 1919.[5]

He defeated William A. Wallace for Illinois State Senate in 1934.[10] In the 1938 general election, King lost in a rematch to Wallace with 19,775 votes to Wallace's 20,2721 votes.[11]

After he lost his Senate campaign, he was industrial commissioner for the State of Illinois, followed by two years as an attorney for a waste management district.[1] In 1944, he unsuccessfully ran for United States Congress.[4][8] He was a delegate for three Republican presidential conventions.[4]

King and Blanche lived on the South Side of Chicago. They raised their niece alongside their daughter, Blanche.[8]

Later life and legacy

King served as deacon for fifteen years at the Olivet Baptist Church.[8] He was a member of the Elks and the Appomattox Club. He was also a freemason. He served on the board of directors for the Wabash YMCA.[8] In the late 1960s, he remained active in local Republican party activities. He was vice chair of the Cook County Republican Central Commission and a member of the G.O.P. State Central Committee.[3] He practiced law until his death.[4]

King died in October 1967 at his home in Chicago.[4] Jet and The Chicago Tribune published obituaries about him.[3][4] His funeral was held at Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Yesterday In Negro History". Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. May 16, 1968. p. 11 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ a b c d e Williams, Erma Brooks (2008). Political Empowerment of Illinois' African-American State Lawmakers from 1877 to 2005. University Press of America. p. 9. ISBN 978-0-7618-4018-3. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Jet". Johnson Publishing Company. 19 October 1967. p. 10. Retrieved 19 July 2022. {{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  4. ^ a b c d e f g "W.E. King, 79, 3d Ward G.O.P. Leader, Dies". Chicago Tribune. 3 October 1967. p. 30. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "King-Goldsby & Dejohnette". King-Goldsby & Dejohnette. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  6. ^ Congress, United States (July 14, 1969). "Congressional Record: Proceedings and Debates of the ... Congress". U.S. Government Printing Office – via Google Books.
  7. ^ State, Illinois Office of Secretary of (July 26, 1925). "Illinois Blue Book". Secretary of State – via Google Books.
  8. ^ a b c d e "Home, Church and Community Are Hub of William E. King's Political Life". Chicago Tribune. 1 October 1944. p. 128. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  9. ^ Smith, J. Clay Jr. (1999). Emancipation: The Making of the Black Lawyer, 1844-1944. University of Pennsylvania Press. p. 380. ISBN 978-0-8122-1685-1. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  10. ^ a b Walton, Hanes Jr.; Puckett, Sherman; Deskins, Donald R. Jr. (July 20, 2012). The African American Electorate. SAGE. ISBN 9780872895089 – via Google Books.
  11. ^ "Election Figures". Illinois Blue Book 1937-1938. Springfield, Illinois: Illinois Secretary of State. p. 791. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
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