King, Thomas Starr

King, Thomas Starr, a Unitarian minister, was born in New York Dec. 16,1824. His father, Rev. T. F. King, was a Universalist clergyman of very decided ability, but died in the prime of life, and Thomas, at the age of twelve years, while fitting to enter Harvard College, found himself the principal support of a large family. He managed, however, successfully to complete his studies, and in September, 1845, preached his first sermon in Woburn, Mass. The next year he was settled over his father's former charge in Charlestown, whence he was called in 1848 to the Hollis Street Unitarian Church, Boston, where he preached with great acceptance and a constantly increasing reputation till 1860, when he accepted the call of the Unitarian Church in San Francisco to become their pastor. Hle entered upon his new duties with a zeal and energy which won the hearts of the people, and ere long he was as thoroughly identified with California interests as if his whole life had been spent there. His congregation increased in numbers and power with great rapidity; but he was a preacher for the whole city and state, and crowds hung upon his eloquent utterances, and his bold, earnest words. At the outbreak of our late civil war, King, finding California in a hesitating position, flung himself into the breach, and by his eloquence and earnestness saved the state; and when the sanitary commission was organized. he first set in motion, and through the next three years pushed forward, the efforts in behalf of the sick and wounded soldiers. His labors in this cause, added to his pastoral duties, were too severe for his strength, and he (lied March 4, 1864, after a very brief illness. Mr. King published several discourses and addresses, etc.-Appleton, New American Cyclopcedia, 1865, p. 468.