My Genealogy Hound

B. F. KING was born June 2, 1856, and was the son of John B. and Sarah V. Philips. The father was a native of Portugal and spent his boyhood at home, receiving a common school education. At the age of fourteen he left home and took passage as cabin boy in a ship engaged in the slave trade running from Africa to South America; while on the voyage the ship was captured by an English cruiser and the prisoners taken to the nearest English port. Here the boy was released, owing to his youth. He afterward came to America and located at Nashville, Tenn., where he engaged in the block and tackle business used in erecting the State Capitol. Here he remained about seven years and while in Nashville was married to Miss Mary Philips and by her had one child, viz.: John A. Mr. King lost his wife in 1847 and the following year he married Miss Sarah Virginia Philips, sister of his former wife and the mother of our subject. Mrs. King died February, 1867. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Mr. King is still living on his farm in the Twelfth District of Davidson County. He is a Democrat, a member of the I. O. O. F., and also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Our subject spent his life on a farm and received his education in the common school. At the age of seventeen he left the home of his youth, went to Nashville and served an apprenticeship at the carpenter’s trade. He remained here five years after which he went to Clarksville where he worked at his trade. In 1883 he came to Forest Home, in the Sixth District of Williamson County, Tenn., and engaged in the mercantile business with B. F. Tatum. The following year he bought out his partner. November 26, 1884, he wedded Miss Ella Hows, daughter of Jack Hows, of Davidson County. To this union was born one child, Albert Edward. Mr. King is a member of the K. of P., also a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He is a Democrat in politics.