Preston
King
was born in Ogdensburg, New York on 14th
October, 1806. After graduating from Union College in 1827 he studied
law and was admitted to bar and commenced practice in St. Lawrence
County. He was also appointed as postmaster of Ogdensburg (1831-34).
A member of the Democratic Party he
was elected to the 28th Congress and served from March, 1843 to March,
1847. He moved to the Free Soil Party
and again served in the 31st and 32nd Congress (March, 1849 to March,
1853). King joined the new Republican
Party and was elected to Congress in 1856 but decided not to seek
re-election when his term ended in March, 1863.
When Andrew Johnson became president
on 15th April, 1865, he invited King to Washington
and served as his adviser. Appointed collector of the port of New
York, Preston King committed suicide soon afterwards by jumping
from a ferryboat in the harbour on 12th November, 1865.
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