Old Uncle John King
One of the early settlers of Macon county was born at King's Mountain, Ky., Oct. 14, 1816. He moved to Macon county in 1837 and has since lived on his farm in Narrows township near Excello. When a boy he worked hard but in those times there was plenty of game and he took a delight in becoming a skilled marksman. He practiced with his rifle until he became the best shot among all his associates. His life is full of interest and would make many pages of valuable history.
When a boy, as was the custom in those days, he walked and drove a herd of hogs from his home in Kentucky to Mobile, Ala., some four or five hundred miles. The trip was long was perilous but he managed to make the trip without injury, becoming a little leg weary before the journey was over. Upon his return from Mobile he immediately started for Missouri and during the four weeks journey they passed. through fourteen severe rain and thunder storms. He, with old Uncle Tom McCanne, traveled with a two-horse wagon. In February, 1846, while a deep snow was on the ground, he espoused the hand of Mary Coulter, daughter of Uncle Johnny Coulter, and they were married by Esq. Jack Lamb, a brother-in-law to Miss Coulter. Uncle Johnny Coulter lived just over the line in Randolph county and Esq. Lamb was a Macon county citizen, That compelled the young couple to wade out in the deep snow across the line into Macon county before they could be made husband and wife; and there under the blue dome of heaven in snow knee deep their union was pronounced which ever afterwards proved a happy one. There were 11 children born to Mr. and Mrs. King, six boys and five girls; four boys and three girls are still living and are highly respectable citizens of Macon county. In early life he connected himself with the old Baptist church and has since believed in that doctrine. He cut the logs for the first house ever built in Macon. The house was built by old Uncle Jim Haley. He afterwards killed two deer where the Wabash and Burlington cross. There were no railroads in this country then and all travel was done in wagons and stage coaches.
He hired to work for Major Bean for a year and in the contract he was allowed a part of his time for shooting game. He killed many a deer and wild turkey, and one morning was successful in killing five deer before he began his work. While working for Mr. Bean he took his ax and auger and built a large gate, the first ever built in Macon county and travelers from Kentucky going North to settle up the country directed their course by the old bee trace. and the Bean gate. It was a historical guide for travelers for over 25 years.
When a boy he bought a gun for $21 and worked for 25 cents a day to pay for it. He has the gun yet and it is a iivorite relic with him.
In 1838 he went to Fairwest and Diammon Jackson county, to help run the Mormons out of Missouri, and during the journey he rode twelve miles in a very severe snow storm. The Mormons were then ruled by Captain Joe Smith but were routed by the volunteers and immigrated to Utah. During civil war he remained neutral and had no trouble with soldiers on either side.