■ -Library op Congress. 
 
 Ch „p. JE.4SL9L. 
 
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 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.' 
 
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«s 
 
From Mrs. King. 
 

RUFUS KING 
 
 Development of Cincinnati 
 
 DURING THE 
 
 LAST FIFTY YEARS 
 
 Printed for Private Distribution 
 
 CINCINNATI 
 ROBERT CLARKE & CO 
 
X-SS 
 
 60,i95... 
 
RUFUS KING. 
 
 AN attempt will not be made to write in 
 detail a record of the life of Rums King. 
 His life was too full and complete to line it 
 out on paper for perusal. It was a perfectly 
 fulfilled life among men — a character com- 
 pletely developed in every part, and the most 
 important and beautiful side is not for the pub- 
 lic eye. 
 
 The controlling influence over the whole 
 man — the motive power of every act, was his 
 religious life, shown in every path, but bright- 
 est in the quiet and calm of his home. If 
 nothing else would prevent an invasion into 
 this sanctuary, the great aversion he himself 
 had to proclaiming the sacred things of the 
 inner life would arrest the active pen ; but to 
 condense into a monumental record the life of 
 Rufus King as identified with the growth and 
 development of Cincinnati in the last fifty 
 
4 Rufus King. 
 
 years, " to hold together what he was and 
 what he has done," is another thing. In each 
 work in which he was engaged, its records will 
 show his name and his efficient work, but all 
 persons have not access to those records, and 
 it seems a duty to bring together, in such form 
 as even our children may read, the varied 
 labors and the complete success of one whose 
 name should never die, and whose example 
 should leave its impress on generations to 
 come. 
 
 Rufus King was born on the 30th of May, 
 181 7, in Chillicothe, Ohio. His father was 
 Edward King, fourth son of the Honor- 
 able Rufus King, oi r New York, and his 
 mother Sarah Worthington, daughter of Gov- 
 ernor Worthington, of Ohio. From such an 
 ancestry flowed many advantages of heredity 
 and example. The solid, practical virtues of a 
 puritan ancestry on the one side, and the chiv- 
 alric graces and high tone of the Virginia 
 cavalier on the other side, blended by the 
 frankness and enthusiasm of the broader, freer 
 
 1 
 
Rufus King. 5 
 
 West — Rufus King was placed at thirteen 
 years of age at Kenyon College, but was 
 transferred from the junior class of that insti- 
 tution to Harvard University, where he gradu- 
 ated with honor, and, after passing through 
 the Law School, then under the teaching of 
 Judge Story and Professor Greenleaf, he came 
 to Cincinnati in March, 1841, fully prepared to 
 begin the " battle of life." He had been 
 brought up by a mother equal to the great re- 
 sponsibility of training and educating boys, 
 and the. principles instilled by this good woman 
 guided his life. Soon after coming to Cincin- 
 nati, Mr. King married, and in this step he se- 
 cured a wife whose loving heart was ready to 
 yield every power of her nature to the ad- 
 vancement of her husband, whom she, with 
 prophetic eye, saw was to be a power among 
 men. Through a long life, it was this wife's 
 privilege to stand at his side and to rejoice in 
 the results of his unceasing work for the good 
 of all around him. 
 
 Descended on both sides from an ancestry 
 
6 Rufus King. 
 
 identified with the political affairs of the na- 
 tion, there came to Mr. King by heredity a 
 strong inclination to political life, and the first 
 interests which engaged him in his adopted 
 home were of a political nature, and this re- 
 ceived encouragement by his connection for a 
 while, in the absence of the editor, with a lead- 
 ing journal. This was at the age of twenty- 
 six years, and at a time when the name of 
 Henry Clay was the inspiration of every heart 
 of the Whig party. With the graceful manners 
 which were Mr. King's through his whole life, 
 he gained the affection of every one, and he 
 was the young hero — the idol of the old Third 
 Ward — the old " Flat Iron Ward." In the 
 same part of the town, though there have been 
 changes made in numbering the wards, he has 
 ' continued to live, and from this center his in- 
 fluence went out through the entire city. 
 Many were the inducements for him to develop 
 himself in politics and take this path for his 
 life work, but, with the quick penetration of 
 his fine judgment, he saw that in other paths 
 
Rufus King. 7 
 
 he could best work for the interests of man- 
 kind. His refined tastes made him averse to 
 much that would surround him in politics, and 
 though in many ways this life had a fascination 
 for him, he quickly decided to turn his efforts 
 in other directions. All through his life, in- 
 ducements were held out to him to enter the 
 political arena. He could have had many 
 high offices in the gift of the people, but his 
 convictions were never moved. 
 
 The earliest record of Mr. King's public 
 work was in 1846, when he was elected as 
 delegate to the city convention, held May 
 25th, to form the city charter. In 1848, he 
 was elected councilman from the Third Ward. 
 He served one term. He was there asso- 
 ciated with men of mark and influence, for 
 leading citizens fifty years ago were not averse 
 to taking part in municipal affairs. Even at 
 this early age, Mr. King was a leading mem- 
 ber of the city council. 
 
 Mr. King soon became interested in the 
 public schools, and determined to give his time 
 
8 Riifus King. 
 
 and work to the development of the system 
 which had already been fully established for 
 many years when he became a member of 
 the school board. He was elected as school 
 visitor from the Third Ward in the year 1851 
 for the term of two years. He was re-elected 
 each term until the final one in which he 
 served, in 1865, thus making his time of active 
 service in the interests of the public schools 
 fourteen years. 
 
 With youth and vigor and enthusiasm, him- 
 self a highly educated man, with principles of 
 morality and religion so firmly planted as to 
 seem a part of his nature, he entered upon 
 his work. His personal supervision of the 
 schools, the friendly aid he gave to teachers, 
 for years assisted in making the public schools 
 of Cincinnati models throughout the country. 
 
 The point which first attracted Mr. King 
 was the want of proper training in morals and 
 manners — the more complete education of the 
 entire man. It is gratifying to read in the last 
 report (1890) of the superintendent of schools, 
 
Rufus King. 9 
 
 Mr. W. H. Morgan, that this point now, after 
 the lapse of so many years, is not neglected — 
 " history, reading, geography, arithmetic, gram- 
 mar, composition, morals and manners, and 
 German, have been the studies taught." Mr. 
 King's own fine manners, his kindly words, 
 his frequent advice and encouragement, were 
 an education to all who came under his influ- 
 ence. His mag-netism was wonderful — it es- 
 caped through his eye, through his voice, and 
 every gesture. Mr. King was elected presi- 
 dent of the school board in 1852, and was re- 
 elected each succeeding year, until he with- 
 drew from the board in 1867. 
 
 It is not too much to say that there has 
 never lived in Cincinnati any one who has 
 worked for the cause of education for so many 
 years so effectually and with such good re- 
 sults as Rufus King. Many noble men have 
 given time and labor, and have accomplished 
 much in carrying out certain views and ideas, 
 but no one has had the wide influence, and 
 gave such an impetus to the public schools as 
 
io Rufus King. 
 
 Mr. King. His learning, his varied accom- 
 plishments of mind and manner, would not 
 have made him the man of weight and influ- 
 ence he became in Cincinnati, the one who de- 
 served to be called " Cincinnati's most valu- 
 able citizen," but he had laid the foundations 
 deep in the hearts of the children while he was 
 yet a young man. Before his thirty years had 
 rolled round, he was known by all the chil- 
 dren in all the schools. In this way, if it had 
 been in no other direction, he has been 
 through all the years a marked and invigorat- 
 ing influence in the development of Cincinnati. 
 Stirling principles were implanted through his 
 influence which guided and still guide a large 
 number of those men who have proved them- 
 selves Cincinnati's best citizens, and whose 
 love and admiration have followed Mr. King 
 through life. Much of the deep sorrow which 
 pervaded the community when Mr. King 
 passed from hence came from men and women 
 who as children were in these schools. 
 
 It is impossible to estimate the wonderful 
 
Rufus King. 1 1 
 
 power Mr. King exercised over the young, 
 and the frequent addresses made before the 
 children in the public schools, in which all the 
 beauty of truth and honesty was set forth, 
 must have sunk deep in those child hearts as 
 they listened to the musical and deep tones of 
 an exceptionally rich voice, coming from a 
 speaker whose whole expression of language 
 and manner was that of the true gentleman. 
 
 For many years the young people of Cin- 
 cinnati had this model before them. 
 
 In all these years, Mr. King was steadily 
 occupied in the practice of the law with a 
 vigor and enthusiasm which soon placed him 
 among the leaders in his profession. The 
 very knowledge of the law and his learning 
 gave him greater power in every direction. 
 His capacity for work was wonderful — for 
 forty years not an enterprise connected with 
 the welfare of Cincinnati where his name is 
 not seen amongf the foremost. Even during- 
 those early years, whilst with all his young 
 energy he was laying the foundations of his 
 
1 2 Rufits King. 
 
 future sufficient fortune, his, purse was open to 
 every need, individual and public, and he had 
 always time to work in other interests than 
 his own. 
 
 He gave with a liberality which might have 
 shamed many a millionaire ; and here a lesson 
 may be learned by the young just setting out 
 in life — that a stream of generosity may stead- 
 ily flow without impairing the success of the 
 beneficent individual. It is self-indulgence 
 which causes failure. 
 
 Mr. King did not often leave home. He in- 
 dulged himself in travel at long intervals and 
 for short periods, never long enough to lose 
 his hold upon the affection of his friends nor 
 his own interest in the public welfare. He 
 loved his home and the duties of home-life. 
 He was thoroughly identified with Cincinnati — 
 informing himself in public affairs in every 
 direction, and working" for the interests of the 
 community with vigor and intelligence. Who 
 could be better fitted to influence and to 
 lead? 
 
Rufus King. 13 
 
 Mr. King's idea of the influence and im- 
 portance of religious and moral training in the 
 schools may best be known from his own 
 words, taken from his argument in the " Bible 
 Case," which came before the courts in 1869. 
 The question took this name, but it was really 
 an attack upon the entire system of religious 
 and moral training. 
 
 The custom of opening the schools with the 
 reading of a portion of Scripture had existed 
 from the very foundation of the schools, and 
 Mr. King regarded it as the most proper and 
 effectual way of bringing the children under 
 control, and of instilling into their minds a 
 reverence for the truest source of all proper 
 training of the human heart — to use his own 
 words, " the eternal, immutable, and essential 
 principles of the Bible — the religion taught by 
 the great Head of all religion." 
 
 In 1842, the first complaint came from 
 Bishop Purcell that the Protestant version of 
 the Scriptures was used. Concessions, how- 
 ever, were made, which were satisfactory, and 
 
14 Rafus Ring. 
 
 no further trouble came until the outburst 
 which culminated in 1869 to suppress the 
 long-established custom. In November, 1869, 
 the board of education passed the following 
 resolution : " That religious instruction and 
 the reading of religious books, including the 
 Holy Bible, are prohibited in the common 
 schools of Cincinnati, it being the true object 
 and intent of the rule to allow the children of 
 the parents of all sects and opinions in matters 
 of faith and worship to enjoy alike the benefits 
 of the common school fund." Second, that 
 the regulation ordering the " opening exercise 
 in every department shall commence by read- 
 ing a portion of the Bible by or under the 
 direction of the teachers, and appropriate 
 singing of the pupils," be repealed. Mr. 
 King had resigned from the board of educa- 
 tion in 1867, Dut na d never lost his interest in 
 the welfare of the schools. He was retained 
 by those who opposed the action of the board 
 of education. He willingly and earnestly gave 
 himself to what he considered of the most 
 
Rufus King. 15 
 
 vital importance to the continued success of 
 public school instruction. This effort to ban- 
 ish the Bible from the schools Mr. King op- 
 posed in an eloquent and powerful argument. 
 
 The following- extracts are taken from this 
 argument : 
 
 " Why are religion and morality as well as 
 knowledge essential to government ? Why 
 was it that the fathers held to that sentiment ? 
 Because there were but two principles of 
 power in the government. The one is the 
 virtue of the people, the power of self-govern- 
 ment, which gets all its vitality from the Bible ; 
 the other is the power of the bayonet ; and 
 you can not govern a nation upon any but one 
 of those two principles. For I say in general 
 terms that the nation which throws away the 
 culture and support of religious principle 
 throws away the only enduring security ol 
 self-government for the masses, and must 
 come in no great lapse of time to force. It is 
 one thing for scholars and philosophers, sitting 
 in their closets, to refine about this matter — 
 
1 6 Rufus Ki?ig. 
 
 their fine-spun sentiments may do to govern 
 Utopias, but to govern states is another thing. 
 I speak and your honors are to judge of his- 
 tory, of man in the mass and in action, of the 
 forces essential to guide and control nations, 
 not in sunshine and prosperity only, but when 
 storms run high and the state is distracted and 
 rent by the conflict of men maddened with 
 passion or interest. It is then that safety calls 
 for stronger forces than philosophy or intellect. 
 It must be the deep, eternal forces which curb 
 and compel the most trying emergencies, and 
 which belong only to religious education and 
 faith. " Through the public school, the com- 
 monwealth easily and powerfully spreads the 
 tenets of political religion, as Rousseau de- 
 nominates it, and which he defines in a man- 
 ner clearly adapted to our constitution and 
 wants. There must be a religious element in 
 public education, or it utterly fails to supply 
 the want. Religion affords security to gov- 
 ernment, because it holds men, not by the un- 
 
Rufus King. ly 
 
 certain allegiance of present interest or expe- 
 diency only, but adds the constant, ever en- 
 during power of the ' still, small voice,' which 
 controls the will and subdues the passions. 
 Secularized religion will not do it. No nation 
 ever obtained even civilization, much less se- 
 curity and happiness, upon the mere light of 
 reason or the laws of nature, unaided by a 
 religious faith. Even pagan rulers courted 
 their priesthood and consulted their oracles. 
 But what is it we want, your honors ? It is 
 character, sterling public sentiment, the habit, 
 the enduring universal habit, of resisting 
 wrong and evil, and, among others, let me in- 
 stance that which seems to be the consuming 
 passion of the American heart, but which the 
 Bible teaches us is the ' root of all evil ' — the 
 love of money. Our people, with a servility 
 to wealth which is unaccountable in a truly 
 republican nation, bow down to worship it as 
 blindly as the Israelites did 'the golden calf.' 
 Hence, the frauds and the huge defalcations, 
 the ' rings ' and the corruptions, we hear of 
 
1 8 Rufus King. 
 
 every day. A man just from the penitentiary, 
 the forger of millions, is followed by a maudlin 
 sympathy, as though a martyr in some great 
 work, and that, too, by the public press. 
 These things do not speak well for us, your 
 honors, and the school board, instead of 'put- 
 ting down the brakes ' upon the moral force of 
 the schools, had better endeavor, by all possi- 
 ble helps, to increase it. I beg leave to in- 
 quire what has turned up in the City of Cin- 
 cinnati, what new dispensation all at once, that 
 encourages these gentlemen to resolve, and 
 say it is time to throw away those aids and re- 
 straints which our laws and all experience de- 
 clare are essential to Society?" 
 
 The Woodward and Hughes Hi^h Schools 
 were established from endowments, the one by 
 William Woodward, the other by Thomas 
 Hughes. In 185 1, these two funds were con- 
 solidated and put under the control of a board 
 of managers, consisting of five delegates from 
 the common schools, five from the Woodward 
 board, and two from the Hughes, called the 
 
Rufus King. 19 
 
 union board. Mr. King was elected president 
 of this board in 1853, which position he con- 
 tinued to hold till the close of his work in this 
 life. In that board, as well as in the district 
 schools, an earnest, efficient coadjutor of Mr. 
 King was Mr. William Hooper, a friend who 
 loved and admired him, and whose friendship 
 was steadfast to the close. He knew and ap- 
 preciated Mr. King's work. Through all the 
 years that Mr. King was presiding officer of 
 the union board, Mr. Hooper was treasurer. 
 He is now his successor as president. 
 
 When the high schools were fully estab- 
 lished and in operation, it became necessary 
 to add to the district school system an ad- 
 vanced grade which would fit the pupils for 
 admission into the high schools, and three 
 years after the consolidation of the high school 
 funds and the forming of the union board, the 
 intermediate schools were introduced. Mr. 
 King was one of those most active in putting 
 these schools into operation, and gave both 
 thought and work as trustee and visitor. The 
 
20 Rufus King. 
 
 school on Ellen street was under the special 
 charge of Mr. King and Mr. William Schultz, 
 in all school affairs his efficient co-worker. 
 This school was a model both in scholarship 
 and order, and for a while Mr. King gave 
 there his most concentrated work. After he 
 was elected president of the school board, his 
 interest became more general and his influ- 
 ence was felt through all the schools of the 
 city. 
 
 Mr. King strongly advocated the introduc- 
 tion of vocal music in the schools, and it was 
 mainly through his influence that music at- 
 tained so high a degree of cultivation under 
 Mr. Aiken in the hiofh schools and Mr. Mason 
 in the district schools. At one time the choral 
 music of the schools in concerts and exhibi- 
 tions was enjoyed by lovers and students 
 of music, as well as by the young choristers. 
 Mr. King used every influence to encourage 
 the cultivation of music, which he regarded 
 as one of the most powerful aids in human- 
 
Rufus King. 21 
 
 izing and refining the moral nature of the 
 young. 
 
 Normal schools, the Cincinnati University, 
 and city library next interested Mr. King, and 
 in the foundation of each he exerted himself 
 zealously and with success. 
 
 In 1859, Mr. King was elected by the city 
 council director of the McMicken University. 
 December 30th of this year, he was elected 
 president of the board of directors for one 
 year, and was re-elected each succeeding year 
 until the year 1870, when the name of the 
 university was changed to " University of Cin- 
 cinnati," to which he was appointed a director, 
 and again elected president of the board of 
 directors January 2, 1871, and was re-elected 
 each succeeding year until the meeting in Jan- 
 uary, 1877, when he declined the nomination. 
 Upon that occasion, the board adopted the 
 following resolution : " Resolved, that the 
 thanks of this board are eminently due and 
 are hereby respectfully tendered our retiring 
 chairman, the Honorable Rufus King, for his 
 
22 Rufus King. 
 
 faithful and energetic labors as chairman of 
 this board, and that this board expresses its 
 sincere regrets that he will no longer continue 
 to exercise the functions which he has for the 
 last six years administered with such fidelity, 
 urbanity, and impartiality." 
 
 To the University of Cincinnati in its early 
 years, perhaps, was given more of Mr. King's 
 time and thoughtful, earnest work than any 
 other interest outside of his profession — here, 
 indeed, his legal knowledge was often needed, 
 and was cheerfully and gratuitously given. 
 
 So many active, intelligent, and able men 
 were giving their energetic work to the devel- 
 opment of the McMicken fund for establishing 
 a university that it might seem unjust to select 
 Mr. King as foremost in the work, but facts 
 will tell more than words of how much is due 
 to him. 
 
 For years after the death of Mr. McMicken, 
 which occurred but a short time before the 
 breaking out of the civil war, property fell in 
 value, and much of the property left by Mr. 
 
Rufus King. 23 
 
 McMicken was in the southern portion of the 
 United States. The Cincinnati property was 
 in a dilapidated condition, and no fixed income 
 could be depended upon. Not only business 
 talent, but legal knowledge and good judg- 
 ment were needed. That Mr. King - was made 
 president of the board of directors shows in 
 what esteem he was held. His reports during 
 these dark years, given over his own name, 
 show the prudence, the judgment, the wisdom, 
 with which every thing was managed, and it 
 was not until a sure income was provided, by 
 rebuilding, improving, etc., that educational 
 work" was begun. 
 
 Another fact showing how pre-eminent Mr. 
 King was in carrying out wisely Mr. McMick- 
 en's plans was the aid he gave his noble 
 mother in all her work in the development of 
 the McMicken School of Design. Mr. Mc- 
 Micken had founded this school by a gift of 
 one thousand dollars to purchase casts of an- 
 tique statuary for the use of such a school. 
 At that time it was not connected with the 
 
24 Rufus King. 
 
 university, but it kept alive in the hearts of the 
 people by its efficient work the greater work 
 to come. For years, this little school stood as 
 a reminder of the beneficent founder, and gave 
 courage to carry out the greater design. 
 
 Mr. King's work in the public interests was, 
 as are the silent forces of nature, quiet and 
 unobtrusive. He was singularly modest, and 
 when the results of effort came, though it 
 miorht brinor down the admiration of the whole 
 community, he cared not for any recognition 
 of the part he had borne. He loved to work 
 in the background and to put others forward 
 for the glory of achievement. 
 
 His good judgment, his legal knowledge, 
 helped to lay the foundations in many direc- 
 tions of the public good that Cincinnati now 
 enjoys. An illustration of this is seen in the 
 grand library which is Cincinnati's pride. 
 
 When Mr. King became a member of the 
 board of education, each district school re- 
 ceived an appropriation from the tax fund for 
 the formation of a library. These libraries were 
 
Rufus King. 25 
 
 insignificant, necessarily. The books were 
 constantly duplicated. One library illustrated 
 all the others. To Mr. King first came the 
 idea of uniting these small streams into the 
 full and generous Mow, and he found earnest 
 and able support in his associates, who were 
 men well fitted to lay the foundation of a 
 library for public use. Mr. King's opinions 
 and plans were always treated with marked 
 respect, so that he might justly be regarded as 
 the foremost builder of our great and useful 
 library. This at the time was accorded to 
 him, and, without doubt, there was not a man 
 in Cincinnati who united so many necessary 
 talents to carry out this suggestion as Mr. 
 King. For the accomplishment of this end, it 
 was necessary the law should be changed. 
 Mr. King drew up the new law, going to 
 Columbus and working in every way to carry 
 it through. There was opposition, as in all 
 such enterprises, but the influence was over- 
 whelming and the new law was passed. 
 
 A board of directors was appointed, and 
 
26 Rufus King. 
 
 Mr. King was elected in 1867 a member of this 
 board. At a meeting held May 14, 1870, he 
 was elected president of the library board by 
 the votes of his fellow-members, Messrs. 
 Henry Probasco, Dr. William B. Davis, Will- 
 iam Tilden, Robert Brown, Herman Eckel, 
 and Francis Ferry. The combined appropria- 
 tions were sufficient to warrant the directors in 
 laying the foundations on a broad scale. 
 These gentlemen were men of intelligence and 
 cultivation, and, with a man of scholarly attain- 
 ments and wide knowledge of books as their 
 president, whose influence was felt and whose 
 opinions were always regarded, many rare and 
 useful books were brought together. An ex- 
 cellent plan was adopted in soliciting lists 
 from specialists, who were urged to put down 
 valuable works in science and art as books of 
 reference, and which none but the wealthy 
 could obtain for private libraries. 
 
 It may not be generally known, but books 
 of exceeding value can be found in the scien- 
 tific and art departments of the public library. 
 
Rufus King. 27 
 
 Mr. King continued to act as presiding officer 
 of the board until 1873. On June 30th of this 
 year, he resigned from the board of manage- 
 ment. Mr. King felt that the first great 
 object was accomplished, and he wished to 
 give time and labor in other more urgent 
 ways. Because of this limitation put upon his 
 work in his own good judgment, he was en- 
 abled to aid in many more directions than he 
 could have done had he indulged himself in 
 the enjoyment of well-arranged work already 
 prepared and systematized. Though in many 
 instances Mr. King will be found working with 
 undiminished energy in the same direction, 
 yet his great talent was as an organizer, and 
 his character was peculiarly adapted to the 
 complication and difficulties attending the first 
 steps of an enterprise. 
 
 Mr. William F. Poole, librarian of the 
 library in Boston, was elected October 26, • 
 1869, and accepted the position of librarian of 
 the Cincinnati Library, November 15th of the 
 same year, and served until 1874. Mr. Poole 
 
28 Rufas King. 
 
 was known to be a man of great ability in 
 arranging and cataloguing books — acknowl- 
 edged on all sides to be the foremost man in 
 the country in his profession. He left the 
 library in excellent condition when he went to 
 Chicago to take charge of the great library 
 there. One of the most able of the co- 
 workers of Mr. King in all educational affairs 
 was Mr. Charles P. James, for a number of 
 years past judge of the Supreme Court of the 
 District of Columbia." Judge James expresses 
 himself in a letter so justly and with such true 
 appreciation of Mr. King's first work in the 
 library, that his own words should be read. 
 No testimony could be more reliable, for Mr. 
 King and Judge James worked side by side 
 for the public interest, long, earnestly, and 
 manfully. 
 
 " I have tried to recall Mr. King's lone de- 
 votion to the school children of Cincinnati, but 
 at last the great fact makes only a strong pic- 
 ture with only a few strong details. I remem- 
 ber well the admiration with which I chiefly 
 
Rufus King. 29 
 
 looked on while he accomplished results. I 
 recall the economy of time which enabled him 
 without interrupting his busy practice to in- 
 spect the work of a school on his way to and 
 from court ; how he managed to find time for 
 committee meetings ; how he suggested meth- 
 ods to teachers ; how he drew up as a lawyer 
 even the contracts for school-houses, and by 
 his firmness compelled evasive contractors to 
 keep their bargains honestly ; and especially 
 how he made arrangements with the county 
 treasurer for an advance of school funds before 
 all his accounts were settled. In a word, 
 while he had from many persons faithful co- 
 operation, it always seemed to me it was his 
 
 * 
 
 hand that planned and guided. When the 
 legislature revised the tax for the purchase of 
 libraries, it was, I think, under Mr. King's 
 lead that the funds for all the districts of Cin- 
 cinnati were consolidated. At the beginning, 
 we spent all our money for books and had none 
 left for shelving. My impression is that it was 
 Mr. King who arranged a school children's 
 
30 Rufiis King. 
 
 concert in Pike's Opera House, where nine 
 hundred young voices drew together a dense 
 crowd of mothers and fathers, and so built the 
 alcoves for the first nucleus of the consolidated 
 ' Public School Library.' I should be careful 
 not to exclude coadjutors, but my clear im- 
 pression at the time, as I sat with ' authorities' 
 in a stage box, was that even such a detail as 
 that concert had been either suggested or 
 guided by Mr. King. I recall that it was a 
 common opinion that he was rendering for 
 many years a kind of service (gratuitously) 
 for which an official expects high compensa- 
 tion, and that he never 'got tired.' Perhaps 
 one of the most definite impressions of these 
 days was his unfailing, patience at the Monday 
 night board meetings. I fancy that oratory 
 was as distasteful to him as it was to me, but 
 the orators never saw any impatience on his 
 face. 
 
 "It is more than thirty years since all these 
 things happened. Perhaps, after all, the im- 
 pression that a man makes on his associates is 
 
Rufus King. 31 
 
 as strong a testimony to his deeds and their 
 value as recorded details would be. 
 
 " I am glad you intend to preserve the 
 memory of so much usefulness and such 
 fidelity. It is of public importance. It should 
 not be lost." 
 
 Mr. King was elected a member of the con- 
 vention called in 1874 to amend the state con- 
 stitution. The place of meeting was Columbus, 
 and the delegates assembled in May and chose 
 as their president the Honorable Morrison R. 
 Waite, of Toledo. In October they adjourned 
 to Cincinnati, and soon after Mr. Waite re- 
 ceived the appointment of chief justice of the 
 United States, and Mr. King was elected to 
 fill his place as president of the convention. 
 
 Already had Mr. King made the acquaint- 
 ance of every member of the convention, and 
 as their presiding officer was honored and ad- 
 mired. His home was the center of a pfener- 
 ous and gracious hospitality extended to every 
 member of the convention. For four or five 
 months, there were social gatherings of every 
 
32 Rufus King. 
 
 kind at his house — breakfast parties, dinner 
 parties, and evening receptions — not a single 
 member of the convention who did not enjoy 
 Mr. King's warm hospitalities, and from every 
 part of the state have come repeated recogni- 
 tions of kindness received. 
 
 No individual act can give to a community a 
 more important character abroad than hospi- 
 tality to strangers. Perhaps no one in Cin- 
 cinnati has done more in this way than Mr. 
 King. His house was always noted for its 
 ever-flowing, generous, unostentatious hospi- 
 tality, and there never was an opportunity of 
 showing it more fully than on an occasion 
 which drew together representative men from 
 every part of the state. It was not only on this 
 occasion, but on all occasions of the coming 
 together of strangers was Mr. King foremost 
 in kindly attentions. Party politics did not 
 affect his gentlemanlike, genial course. A 
 few such men have a wonderful influence 
 in giving tone and reputation to a city. 
 Throughout the country was Mr. Rufus King's 
 
Rufus King. 33 
 
 name gratefully remembered in connection 
 with the many charming attractions of Cincin- 
 nati. The simplicity of Mr. King's taste per- 
 vaded all he did. With ample means to live 
 in ostentation and display, his entertainments 
 never exceeded generous, tasteful simplicity. 
 
 Mr. King's abilities as a public speaker 
 were very marked, and until late in life he was 
 sought for on every occasion of public demon- 
 stration where eloquence was needed to plead 
 before the crowded audience, or where grace 
 and suavity were required at the dinner table. 
 An inspiration always accompanied his pres- 
 ence, and a flow of gladness was the result. 
 
 All this work for education and for the 
 public interest generally was outside of the 
 chief occupation of Mr. King's life, which was 
 to carry out in all its grand possibilities the 
 profession he had chosen for his life work. 
 
 His ideas of the law were broad and com- 
 prehensive. He did not use it merely as a 
 means of gain. The eternal principles of 
 truth and honesty, of justice, he wished to 
 
34 Rufus King. 
 
 establish. His own fine character owed much 
 of its harmony, its calmness, to the training of 
 the law. He might be regarded as an illus- 
 tration of what that noble study may develop. 
 
 No men have it in their power to stamp the 
 character of a community in every direction so 
 decidedly as men of the legal profession. 
 They are brought in contact in many more 
 ways, and more vitally, with their fellow-men, 
 than any other class, and, by an upright, hon- 
 est, manly course, can instil ideas of honor 
 and truth which others have not the oppor- 
 tunity to do. 
 
 Among the foremost of those men true to 
 their noble profession was Rufus King. For 
 forty years he was president of the Bar Asso- 
 ciation of Cincinnati, and it is only necessary 
 to call attention to the large meeting convened 
 on the occasion of the death of Mr. King, to 
 see how he was held in the hearts of all his 
 brothers in the profession he loved so well. 
 All over the state he was known and appre- 
 ciated. No one at the bar had a higher place 
 
Rufus King. 35 
 
 than Mr. Kin£. When these words came 
 from one of Ohio's leading lawyers, it seemed 
 to be the voice of the whole profession : 
 
 " I looked upon him as one of the finest 
 characters of the state — of great intellect, of 
 taintless honesty, a heart as tender as a child, 
 a disposition mild as a summer's breeze." 
 
 This disposition always attracted the young 
 to him, and his influence over young men was 
 one of the most remarkable and beneficent 
 features of his life. 
 
 Mr. King's connection with the Cincinnati 
 Law School, which began in the year 1875, 
 continued until his death. He was appointed 
 dean of the faculty, and for a few years held 
 this place ; but finding the position required 
 more time and labor than he could give 
 with justice to his work in other directions, he 
 resigned the deanship, but continued to lec- 
 ture on constitutional law and the law of real 
 property. These subjects were of especial 
 interest to him, and his ideas had been ma- 
 tured by long study and reflection. This part 
 
36 Rufus King. 
 
 of his legal work gave him great pleasure in 
 the closing years of his life here. He had all 
 the qualities of mind and character necessary 
 to make a great lawyer. Through years of 
 devotion to his profession, he had learned to 
 love the law, and to teach it, in its noblest, 
 broadest meaning, was to him a duty, and, 
 therefore, a happiness. This pleasure was 
 increased by the fact that he was helping to 
 carry on a work his father had begun. 
 
 The Cincinnati Law School was founded in 
 1 %33 by Judge John C. Wright, Mr. Edward 
 King, and Mr. Timothy Walker, afterward 
 Judge Walker. It was the first institution for 
 legal instruction established in the West. In 
 1835, the school was connected with the Cin- 
 cinnati College, and, under its auspices, was 
 revived. Mr. King's teaching in the Law 
 School was not confined to the routine lecture, 
 but he was ready to explain and to go over 
 difficult points, and never seemed wearied. 
 He could always be found after his lecture 
 surrounded by an admiring and eager group, 
 
Rufus King. 37 
 
 who were taking in the benign influence of his 
 sunny nature. 
 
 He always saw the sunny side of life, and 
 this made him the beloved friend of the young. 
 It was a great pleasure to Mr. King to extend 
 his hospitalities to the law students, especially 
 those who were strangers in the city, and on 
 occasions of Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc., it 
 was his delight to gather around his dinner 
 table those who were away from home and 
 friends. Mr. King never was more happy 
 than when he was contributing to the pleasure 
 of others. His conversation sparkled with wit 
 and anecdote, and no doubt this little re- 
 minder would bring from many distant points 
 happy recollections of these occasions. It was 
 often remarked by those in daily intercourse 
 with Mr. King, both at home and at his office, 
 that he was never despondent ; his words 
 were always hopeful and full of encourage- 
 ment. Life seemed to him always serene and 
 unclouded — at least, he could always discern 
 behind the clouds the blessed source of light 
 
38 Rufus Ki?ig. 
 
 and life. This, combined with the earnestness 
 and dignity of his character, made his life 
 truly a " gospel of glad tidings." 
 
 The Cincinnati Law Library Association 
 was organized on June 5, 1847. The gentle- 
 men present on this occasion were Messrs. 
 Rufus King, Charles Anderson, Alphonso 
 Taft, Bellamy Storer, Salmon P. Chase, and a 
 number of other lawyers. Twice in the his- 
 tory of this library has fire interrupted its 
 progress. In 1849, the court-house was de- 
 stroyed by fire, and nothing of consequence 
 was done by the library association until June 
 7, 1 85 1, when the board met and again or- 
 ganized. 
 
 On this occasion, Mr. King was elected 
 vice-president. In 1855, ne was elected presi- 
 dent, and filled that office until his death, a 
 period of thirty-six years. There was nothing 
 connected with Mr. King's profession which 
 interested him more and commanded more of 
 his time and thought than this library. He 
 looked upon it as the source of enlightenment 
 
Rufus King,. 39 
 
 and learning for the legal profession in Cin- 
 cinnati. He gave freely of his time and 
 money, and on the occasion of the destruction 
 of the books by fire in 1884, when the court- 
 house with its valuable contents was also de- 
 stroyed, Mr. King came forward and paid 
 off the indebtedness of the library, which 
 amounted to $3,885. It was this act of liber- 
 ality on the part of Mr. King, and his unceas- 
 ing efforts to arouse the bar of Cincinnati to 
 the importance of the work, which caused the 
 re-establishment of the library, resulting in 
 eminent success. Mr. King's interest has not 
 passed away with the close of his mortal life. 
 He left twenty thousand dollars for the benefit 
 of the library to which he had given so much 
 of his best thought and work. 
 
 As a young lawyer, Mr. King impressed 
 himself as few young men do. He was not 
 twenty-six years of age when the attorneyship 
 of a leading bank was offered him. High 
 standing and influential friends suggested the 
 idea, but the suggestion was taken up, encour- 
 
4-0 Rzifus King. 
 
 aged, and determined by the president of the 
 Commercial Bank, Judge James Hall, a man 
 of known ability and judgment, who recog- 
 nized Mr. Rufus King's talents and power and 
 urged his appointment. This was an oppor- 
 tunity and a beginning which is rarely the 
 good fortune of a young lawyer, and was an 
 introduction which brought a constantly in- 
 creasing and soon lucrative practice. 
 
 Such was Mr. King's popularity, and so 
 great was the confidence placed in his judg- 
 ment, that he was sought and consulted in 
 every enterprise which has developed the in- 
 terests of Cincinnati. He was a many-sided 
 man, and a man who informed himself well in 
 every direction, and his work was efficient 
 wherever it was given. 
 
 At an early period of his life, he saw the 
 need of a railroad communication with the 
 South, and long before the Southern Railroad 
 was built, his eloquent tongue was pleading 
 for its existence. He took part in the early 
 development of the road, actively and effi- 
 
Riifiis King. 41 
 
 ciently, as its history will show. For a while, 
 he was forced to accept its presidency, but he 
 felt that work in this direction should be all- 
 absorbing, and for this he was not prepared. 
 Neither the proper training nor his tastes in- 
 clined him to take up this work further than to 
 give his influence and his financial aid, so far 
 as was in his power. Mr. King was also at 
 one time vice-president of the Hamilton and 
 Dayton road, and for about a year acting 
 president, during the illness of Mr. Shoe-, 
 maker, the president. 
 
 " It would be difficult to keep all trace of Mr. 
 King as an active participant in the popular 
 public service of the best citizens of Cincin- 
 nati, for its highest and most permanent good. 
 Of late years, his most important and valuable 
 services to the city were rendered as a mem- 
 ber of the tax commission, of which he was 
 one of the original members, and whose term 
 would have expired in May of 1891 had not 
 the so-called charter bill dispensed with that 
 board. Mr. King was looked upon as its 
 
42 Rtifus King. 
 
 wisest adviser, as the member best informed 
 not only on municipal affairs, but also in the 
 details as managed or mismanaged under the 
 law. In all these concerns, he showed a keen 
 insight and broad comprehension. No princi- 
 ple was overlooked, no detail escaped his at- 
 tention in the work, apportioning to each of 
 city funds the money to which it was entitled 
 from the tax levy for city salaries and ex- 
 penses. 
 
 "Against false or dubious claims, exorbitant 
 estimates, and all insidious ' incidentals,' as 
 the official • pickings and stealings ' were 
 called, he always stood as the rock of Gibral- 
 ter, and it was just by such sturdy resistance, 
 always aided by his fellow-members of the 
 board, that it came to be regarded by the 
 board of the sinking fund as the safeguard of 
 the city finances." The board of tax commis- 
 sioners was created by the act of the legisla- 
 ture passed April 16, 1883, and was organized 
 on the 14th of the May following. It con- 
 sisted of three freeholders, appointed by the 
 
Rufus King. 43 
 
 Superior Court, the mayor, and the city comp- 
 troller. Mr. King was appointed for the full 
 term of three years, Mr. Henry Urner for two 
 years, and Mr. Larz Anderson for one year. 
 The mayor was president ex-officio. Mr. King 
 was elected vice-president, and the records 
 show that the duties of chairmanship were 
 more frequently performed by him than by 
 the president. Mr. King was reappointed by 
 the court for a second term, and was again 
 elected vice-president, and continued to serve 
 until the board was abolished by the legisla- 
 ture in 1 89 1. Mr. King attended the final 
 meeting of the board. 
 
 The Committee of One Hundred was organ- 
 ized by public opinion in October of 1885, 
 preceding the fall elections, and was composed 
 of leading men and property holders. Mr. 
 King was one of the original members, and as 
 such served on its most important committees, 
 such as election, police, etc. In this service, 
 he gave much time and advice in the prepara- 
 tion of the registration and election laws, 
 
44 Ritfus King. 
 
 especially the latter. The active work was 
 performed through the first three or four 
 years. Mr. King's membership was main- 
 tained until the dissolution of the committee 
 in 1 89 1. 
 
 When one regards Mr. King as a lawyer, 
 fully prepared for all the hard work of his pro- 
 fession, faithfully performing every obligation 
 of a large practice, gaining a place among the 
 highest, one marvels that time could have 
 been found for work in any other direction ; 
 but so great, so varied, was this outside work, 
 that it becomes almost an impossibility to 
 gather up its records. The results are seen 
 every-where, and from the great channels of 
 work flow lesser streams, enriching and re- 
 freshing places unseen and unnoticed. This 
 is especially applicable to Mr. King's charita- 
 ble work. He often made large gifts which 
 called forth the praise of all, but the daily flow 
 of his charities — the open hand, the kindly 
 smile, the hopeful words — this is known only 
 
Rufus King. 45 
 
 to the grateful hearts that he blest, and to 
 One who rewards the " cheerful giver. " 
 
 Mr. King's charities Mowed not only from a 
 generous heart, but from a just heart. It was 
 a firm principle with him that to give was a 
 duty. Freely he gave of his abundance, and 
 with material aid always went out the encour- 
 aging word, the kindly smile. 
 
 Mr. King's legal counsel was given gratui- 
 tously to many charitable institutions, and 
 both Catholic and Protestant acknowledged it 
 with gratitude. He remembered the poor, he 
 remembered the church, he remembered the 
 profession he loved so well, in the last disposi- 
 tion he made of his property. 
 
 The benefits of his charitable heart were 
 bestowed through his life and will still con- 
 tinue to bless. 
 
 The beauty and excellence of Mr. King's 
 character were shown in all his intentions — the 
 wisdom and greatness of his intellect in the 
 way these intentions were carried out. 
 Bravely and firmly he defended the right, 
 
46 Rufus King. 
 
 which he believed with all his heart would at 
 last prevail. 
 
 In every art enterprise which has grown up 
 in Cincinnati in the last fifty years, the name 
 of Rufus King will be found among the fore- 
 most and most energetic supporters. The Col- 
 lege of Music, which has done and is doing so 
 much for the musical fame of Cincinnati, and 
 which owes its direct foundation to the fine ad- 
 ministrative talent and ability and devotion of 
 Colonel George Ward Nichols and the munifi- 
 cent generosity of Mr. Reuben Springer, had 
 an inspiration and vital encouragement from 
 Mr. King, which is feelingly acknowledged by 
 the trustees of the College of Music in a 
 beautiful tribute made a short time after Mr. 
 King's death, in which they speak of him as 
 " one of the founders and most devoted 
 friends." Colonel Nichols had a warm friend- 
 ship for Mr. King, and talked with him freely 
 on ail his plans, and respected his judgment. 
 All know that encouragement coming from a 
 respected source often brings to maturity 
 
R?ifus King. 47 
 
 ideas which without it would never be ex- 
 pressed. At Mr. King's dinner table was first 
 discussed the plan of bringing Mr. Theodore 
 Thomas to Cincinnati as head of the College 
 of Music and permanent leader of the festivals. 
 Mr. King urged upon Colonel Nichols prompt 
 action, and the same evening he set forth for 
 New York to consult with Mr. Thomas. 
 
 In all the early work which resulted in the 
 establishment of the Art Museum, Mr. King 
 interested himself with great vigor. Step by 
 step did the crowning ornament of Cincinnati 
 advance. The story of its rise has been told 
 and is known to every one. In all the early 
 records of work done in this direction, Mr. 
 King's name will be found among the most 
 efficient and valuable workers. 
 
 Had Mr. King's life been prolonged for a 
 few years more, it is probable that his pen 
 would have been active in giving out from 
 his ofreat accumulation of knowledge much 
 that would have added to the literary fame of 
 Cincinnati. He had in contemplation to make 
 
48 Rufus King. 
 
 his last years here useful in this way. Among 
 other things, it was his wish to enlarge his 
 history of Ohio, which he had written under 
 the disadvantage of being compelled to 
 abridge the volume to a uniform size of a 
 series for which he had undertaken to write. 
 As it is, the book is wonderfully complete, and 
 could only have been written by a man of 
 great historical research, with a legal and 
 statesmanlike turn of mind. Mr. King's great 
 desire, however, was to prepare a much- 
 needed law book on a subject which for years 
 had been a study of deep thought and re- 
 search. That this work could not have been 
 finished must always be regretted. 
 
 Mr. King was elected a director of Spring 
 Grove Cemetery in 1878. He interested him- 
 self zealously in the improvements of this 
 beautiful city of rest. Here, as elsewhere, 
 his legal advice was of great value. His 
 fellow-workers in the board of directors testify 
 most feelingly to his able and efficient work. 
 The last meeting for public work Mr. King 
 
Rtifus Ki}ig. 49 
 
 attended was on the 5th of February, when he 
 met for the last time the board of directors of 
 Spring Grove Cemetery. 
 
 Mr. King always manifested an active inter- 
 est in religious movements in every direction. 
 The church which seemed to meet his own 
 requirements best was the Protestant Episco- 
 pal Church, and he was a constant attendant 
 for many years of St. Paul's Church, and was 
 an active vestryman for thirty-six consecutive 
 years. From this center he worked, but he 
 did not confine his aid nor interest to this 
 parish. His liberality was well understood 
 and was generally felt. His purse was always 
 open to the needs of the church. His contri- 
 butions were large, and on one occasion he re- 
 lieved St. Paul's Church of a debt of over three 
 thousand dollars, reserving to himself the com- 
 pensation of being allowed to secure an endow- 
 ment fund for the church by such .legal forms 
 as to make the interest of the fund only avail- 
 able for use. The gratitude of generations to 
 come will surely be his, for the wisdom, the 
 
SO Rufus King. 
 
 foresight, the generosity, which led him to 
 secure a fund always sufficient for the mainte- 
 nance of at least a mission church in the heart 
 of Cincinnati. Mr. King was active in both 
 diocesan and parish work. He was always 
 the personal friend and legal adviser of Bishop 
 Mcllvaine, and also of Bishop Bedell. During 
 the short period of Bishop Jaggar's active 
 work, Mr. King was his close friend and ad- 
 viser, and it is only necessary to read the 
 beautiful tribute of Bishop Vincent at the last 
 diocesan convention, to see the high esteem in 
 which he held Mr. King, and how he would 
 have valued the wise counsels and efficient aid 
 of such a layman. 
 
 In all the affairs of Kenyon College, Mr. 
 King was a faithful and energetic trustee. 
 Especially did he uphold the interests of the 
 theological department, and for many years he 
 gave time, thought, and money to this work. 
 It can best be seen how Mr. Kiner was re- 
 garded as a churchman by repeating the 
 words of Bishop Vincent : 
 
Rufus King. 51 
 
 " One of the greatest shocks on my recent 
 return to the diocese was the news of the ir- 
 reparable loss it had sustained in the death of 
 Mr. King. I regret exceedingly that my own 
 short residence among you leaves me ignorant 
 of Mr. King's early life and prevents my 
 giving it that notice here which I would like 
 to, but it was a life which in its influence and 
 results was known to the whole community. 
 His chosen profession of the law knew him 
 as one of its leading lights ; the world of let- 
 ters recognized him as a scholar and historian ; 
 the city and state proudly pointed to him as a 
 representative citizen. His personal and so- 
 cial qualities attracted the admiration and the 
 love of all who knew him. His influence in the 
 home life and in the family circle was ideal — 
 to us, though, he seems most conspicuous as a 
 high-minded Christian layman. It was his 
 Christian uprightness and devout faith, his 
 love of his church, his steady and generous 
 devotion to her crood, which shed the finest 
 luster over his life. Although he never sat, I 
 
52 Rufus King. 
 
 believe, in any of her public councils, he had, 
 nevertheless, as trustee of the diocese and of 
 our Gambier institutions, been for many years 
 one of the church's most trusted counsellors, 
 always alive not merely to her legal and 
 financial interest, but to her highest spiritual 
 welfare also. The last indisputable proof of 
 this he gave in the provisions of his will, in 
 which, after many other charitable bequests, 
 he crowned them all by the munificent gifts of 
 $1,000 to our Diocesan Children's Hospital 
 and $50,000 to the trustees of the diocese for 
 the maintenance of two or more itinerant 
 missionaries.. His sagacious mind saw the 
 most important interest and sorest need of 
 this church of ours to-day, and his generous 
 heart and hand provided for it. Let us thank 
 God, as the crenerations to come will thank 
 Him, for this noble layman." 
 
 Simply as an outline of a noble life, has this 
 little sketch been written — only to bring to- 
 gether in a compact form the various outlets 
 of a benevolent heart. All this benevolence 
 
Rufiis King. 53 
 
 was guided by a mind and character perfectly 
 trained. Cool judgment, firm principles, di- 
 rected every impulse which came from his 
 great heart. 
 
 Mr. King's life, written out with all its elab- 
 orate work, would fill volumes, and at last 
 could only tell what may be said in a few 
 words — that Rufus King worked with wisdom, 
 with enthusiasm, with devotion, with no 
 thought of self, for the best interests of his 
 fellow-men. The good influence of such a 
 life reaches out indefinitely, and its practical 
 results can not be calculated. 
 
 The whole of Mr. King's life is a testimony 
 to the expanding, ennobling influence of a per- 
 fect trust in the wisdom and love of God, and 
 confidence in the future higher and truer life. 
 
 In no way has the example of this good 
 man been a greater help than in showing how 
 noble and beneficent a life may be led by fol- 
 lowing strictly the teachings of our Savior, 
 Christ, and making our lives, as was His, full 
 of works of love and mercy. 
 
54 Rtifus King. 
 
 Rufus King's work in this world is finished. 
 He has passed from among men. Trustfully 
 and peacefully he closed his eyes on earthly- 
 scenes, and has entered his eternal home. 
 
 He died on the 25th of March. 1S91. 
 
Rufus King. 55 
 
 SUMMARY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 VARIOUS WORKS IN WHICH MR. KING DE- 
 VOTED TIME AND LABOR FOR THE PUBLIC 
 INTERESTS. 
 
 1846 — Delegate to form city charter. 
 1 848 — Councilman. 
 
 185 1 — School visitor; member of the union 
 1865 board of high schools ; member board 
 1867 of education ; member of the board of 
 1870 managers of the public library, and 
 1873 library board; president of each. 
 
 1859 — Director of the university from the start 
 1877 to close of second term, appointed. 
 1883 — Tax commissioner, twice appointed by 
 1 89 1 Superior Court. 
 
 1885 — Member of the committee of one hun- 
 189 1 dred, created by public opinion. 
 
 In addition to this, Mr. King filled at various 
 
56 Rufus King. 
 
 times, and for a number of years each, the 
 
 following positions : 
 Dean of the Cincinnati Law School. 
 President of the Law Library Association. 
 President of the Cincinnati Bar Association. 
 Trustee of the Southern Diocese of Ohio. 
 Trustee of Kenyon College. 
 Vestryman of St. Paul's Church. 
 Director of Spring Grove Cemetery. 
 Vice-president and committeeman of the 
 
 American Bar Association. 
 Vice-president for Ohio of the Social Science 
 
 Association. 
 Director of Southern R. R., Hamilton and 
 
 Dayton R. R., C. H. & I. R. R., etc. 
 
APPENDIX, 
 
Rufus King. 59 
 
 FUNERAL SERVICES AT ST. PAUL'S 
 CHURCH. 
 
 MARCH 2S, 1891. 
 
 A very large assemblage was present at St. 
 Paul's Church to assist at the funeral services 
 of the late Honorable Rufus King, which were 
 of a deeply impressive character. Mr. King 
 had been connected with St. Paul's Church for 
 more than fifty years, and was always deeply 
 interested in its welfare. The somber hang- 
 ings which veiled altar and chancel on Good 
 Friday were still in place, and gave additional 
 solemnity to the scene. 
 
 The procession was met at the church porch 
 by the Rev. Dr. Benedict, rector of St. Paul's ; 
 Rev. Dr. Pise, rector of Christ Church, Glen- 
 dale ; Rev. Dr. Tinsley, rector of the Church 
 of the Advent, and the full vested choir of 
 
60 Rufus King. 
 
 St. Paul's — fifty men and boys — the solemn 
 tramp of the men unbroken by any music of 
 voice or organ. Returning to the chancel, 
 Rev. Dr. Benedict, leading the way, recited 
 the opening sentences of the service which the 
 Prayer Book calls " The Order for the Burial 
 of the Dead," beginning, " I am the Resurrec- 
 tion and the Life, whoever liveth and believeth 
 in Me shall never die." 
 
 The great anthem, " Lord, let me know my 
 end and the number of my days," was chanted 
 with deep impressiveness by a quartet of 
 men's voices — Mr. David Davis, Mr. Ashe, 
 Mr. Tyrrell, and Dr. Tate. Rev. Dr. Tinsley 
 read the lesson, " Now is Christ risen from the 
 dead," and Dr. Benedict recited the conclud- 
 ing prayers, the responses being rendered 
 with deep feeling by the congregation. 
 
 The choral part of the service was very 
 beautiful. Hymn 91, " It is not death to die," 
 had been selected, and the Retrocessional was 
 the triumphant Alleluia, the voices of the 
 
Rufus King. 6 1 
 
 choristers rising to a glorious burst of melody 
 at the verse : 
 
 "But lo ! there breaks a yet more glorious day ; 
 The saints triumphant rise in bright array; 
 The King of Glory passes on his way. 
 
 Alleluia!" 
 
 And dying to the mutest whisper as the pro- 
 cession reached to the vestry-room. 
 
 The interment was at Spring Grove. 
 
 The pall-bearers were selected from the 
 many public bodies with which Mr. King had 
 been associated, and were as follows : 
 
 Tax Commission — T. H. C. Allen, J. B. 
 Mosby. 
 
 Cemetery Association — Robt. Hosea, Henry 
 Probasco. 
 
 Trustees of the Diocese of Southern Ohio — 
 Larz Anderson, Charles W. Short. 
 
 Law Library — Judge Harmon, M. W. Myers. 
 
 Bar of Hamilton County — W. L. Avery, M. 
 F. Force, \V. S. Groesbeck, J. W. Herron, 
 Lawrence Maxwell. 
 
62 Rufus King. 
 
 Law School Faculty — J. D. Cox, G. R. Sage. 
 Law School Students— T. H. Darby, E. G. 
 Kincaid. 
 
 University of Cincinnati — C. G. Comegys, 
 W. M. Ramsey. 
 
 Cincinnati College — M. B. Hagans, W. H. 
 
 Neff. 
 
 Historical and Philosophical Society of Ohio 
 E. F. Bliss, F. J. Jones. 
 
 Harvard Club — George Hoadly, Jr., Julius 
 Dexter. 
 
 Library — William Rendigs, A. \V. Whelpley. 
 
 And S. J. Thompson, Channing Richards, 
 and R. P. Ernst, Mr. King's partners. 
 
Rufus King. 6$ 
 
 MEMORIAL MEETING OF THE CIN- 
 CINNATI BAR 
 
 IN THE U. S. COURT-ROOM. 
 
 [ From the Cincinnati Commercial Gazette.] 
 
 The large U. S. Court-room in the Govern- 
 ment Building was closely filled yesterday 
 during the meeting of the bar in memory of 
 the late Rufus King. All the courts of record 
 had adjourned for the day in view of this 
 meeting and the funeral sevices in the after- 
 noon. It was an occasion of memorable inter- 
 est, as well on account of the high character 
 of the assemblage as that of the departed 
 jurist and noble-spirited citizen whose name 
 was to be called in remembrance. 
 
 Hon. Aaron F. Perry was called to the chair 
 by motion of Lawrence Maxwell, Jr., and J. D. 
 Brannan was elected secretary. Mr. Samuel 
 J. Thompson, the law partner of Mr. King, 
 
64 Rufus King. 
 
 was to have been one of the speakers, but was 
 unable to be present on account of illness. 
 With this exception, and the introduction of a 
 letter from ex-Governor Hoadly, the arrange- 
 ments for the meeting as published on Friday 
 were carried out. Ex-Judge Force permitted 
 himself the gratification, sad though it was, of 
 coming down from Sandusky to attend. 
 
 Two hours were occupied by the speeches, 
 without a sign of weariness in any part of the 
 large gathering. While admiration fulfilling 
 its purpose as a tribute to the dead, the meet- 
 ing had a value as an inspiration to the living 
 which no one present could have failed to 
 recognize. 
 
 The duty of drafting a suitable memorial for 
 adoption by the meeting had been previously 
 assigned to a committee composed entirely of 
 present and former law partners ol Mr. King, 
 to wit: Judge Sage, Mr. Samuel J. Thompson, 
 Hon. John W. Herron, Mr. Julius Dexter, 
 ex-Judge Avery, Mr. Lawrence Maxwell, Jr., 
 and Mr. Channing Richards. The memorial 
 
Rzijus King. 65 
 
 was written by Judge Sage, and, like the gem 
 prepared by Judge Harmon as the expression 
 of the Law Library Association, there is much 
 said in a few words. 
 
 The memorial was as follows : 
 
 Rufus King died on the morning of Wednes- 
 day, 25th of March, 1891, at his home on East 
 Third street, in this city where he had lived for 
 more than forty years. 
 
 He was born at Chillicothe, Ohio, May 30, 
 181 7. He received his academic education at 
 Kenyon College and at Harvard University. 
 After a full course at the Harvard Law School, 
 under the tuition of Justice Joseph Story and 
 Simon Greenleaf, he came in 1841 to Cincin- 
 nati, was admitted to the practice, and starting 
 alone in his profession, was at once retained 
 as counsel by the Commercial Bank, and al- 
 most immediately secured a large and lucra- 
 tive clientage. It was not long- before he was 
 recognized as a leader at the bar which num- 
 bered among the members Chase and Walker 
 and Spencer and Groesbeck and Storer and 
 
66 Rufits King. 
 
 Worthington, and many others of scarcely less 
 prominence. That position he held during 
 the entire period of his active practice, which 
 he continued to hold till about his seventieth 
 year. Devoted as he was to his profession, 
 and ever faithful as he was to the trusts re- 
 posed in him by his clients, he nevertheless 
 found time, which the diligent man can always 
 find, to do more than his share toward the 
 advancement of the best interests of the city 
 of his adoption. Rejecting offer after offer of 
 public positions of prominence and profit, he 
 applied himself with his accustomed energy 
 to improving the condition of the common 
 schools of Cincinnati. So generally were his 
 labors in this behalf recognized and appre- 
 ciated, that not only was he elected and re- 
 elected a member of the board of education 
 time and again, and yet again and again, by 
 the voters of his ward, which was then known 
 as the " Flat Iron Ward," notwithstanding the 
 majority was largely against him politically, 
 but he was also, during a-lmost the entire 
 
Rufus King. 67 
 
 period of his services, kept at the head of the 
 board as its president. Those were the 
 golden days in the history of the common 
 schools, and Rufus King- did more for the 
 upbuilding of that system than any other one 
 man living or dead. To him we are largely 
 indebted for our magnificent public library. 
 
 He was one of the founders and constant 
 supporters of our law library. His helping 
 and bounteous hand came to the rescue when 
 that library was destroyed in the turbulent 
 scenes of 1884. He was one of the most 
 honored and distinguished lecturers of the 
 law school of the Cincinnati College. Of 
 more than ordinary literary attainments, he 
 was a great reader of the best authors and a 
 writer of clearness, elegance, and force. His 
 history of Ohio, one of the best of the Ameri- 
 can Commonwealth Series, published in 1888, 
 was prepared with great pains and labor, and 
 is a valuable and lasting contribution to the 
 annals of the state. So long as he had 
 strength, he was ever ready and willing and 
 
68 Rufv.s King. 
 
 anxious to do whatever his hand could find to 
 do to benefit his neighbor, and every man was 
 his neighbor. As a lawyer, he was learned, 
 honorable, diligent, and successful. Always 
 vigilant in the interests of his clients, he never 
 failed to maintain his own integrity and the 
 high standard of the honor of his profession. 
 As a citizen, he was active, independent, un- 
 selfish, public-spirited, and efficient ; and as a 
 man, pure in life, in thought, and in action. 
 With all his professional and public cares and 
 duties, his love for his home life and his filial 
 devotion for his widowed mother were among 
 the most conspicuous and beautiful traits of 
 his character. Now that he is dead, we may 
 say without reserve every thing that is true of 
 him without saying one thing that is bad of 
 him. This is one of the exceedingly rare 
 occasions when there can be no friction nor 
 clashing^ between the maxims nil nisi verum 
 and nil nisi bonum. 
 
 The bar, as sincere mourners deploring the 
 loss of one of its oldest, best loved, and most 
 
 
Rufiis King. 69 
 
 honored members, with heartfelt sympathy for 
 his widow in the loneliness of her bereave- 
 ment, offer this tribute, imperfect and inade- 
 quate though it be, to his memory. 
 
 Following- the reading of the memorial, 
 Hon. Aaron F. Perry paid from the chair his 
 tribute to the worth of the deceased. Lan- 
 guage could hardly convey a more delicate 
 reference than his to the part Mrs. King had 
 in sharing her husband's career: 
 
 Mr. Perry s Tribute. 
 
 Your honors of the various branches of the 
 judiciary and brethren of the bar — To some 
 of us who have long shared the labors and ex- 
 periences incident to practical enforcement of 
 justice as defined by jurisprudence, imperfectly 
 it may be, but more perfectly than elsewhere 
 defined by human learning, meetings of this 
 kind follow each other with startling emphasis. 
 We can not if we would, and would not if we 
 could, abstain from manly sorrow, which suf- 
 
jo Rufus King. 
 
 fuses the eyes with unbidden moisture and 
 reminds us of valued associations, to be ours 
 never more. 
 
 Rufus King, a man of liberal culture, a 
 lawyer of ability and success, passes from our 
 companionship. 
 
 It is impracticable to describe or character- 
 ize a prolonged professional career, uniform in 
 its general features of honor and success. 
 
 In the departure of Rufus King, we can not 
 make the mistake of treating it as an ordinary 
 loss. He was descended on his father's side 
 from a patriotic stock not unknown for its 
 influence in aid of the federal constitution. 
 He was also the son of a mother widely dis- 
 tinguished by philanthropic zeal in charitable 
 and religious movements, not limited to her 
 own country, but which gave her a large wel- 
 come and much admiration in distinguished 
 circles elsewhere. 
 
 If I might, without lack of delicacy, lift the 
 corner of a mourning veil, I would say that 
 Rufus King was fortunate otherwise than in 
 
Rufus King. 71 
 
 his parentage. A careful and admirable biog- 
 raphy of his distinguished mother was written 
 by the only lady who could have been with her 
 enough to finish so careful a portrait ; a work 
 of delicacy and admiration, which may be 
 fairly supposed to disclose the pride and hap- 
 piness of the artist. No woman not happy in 
 her relations with the son could have so ad- 
 mired the mother. 
 
 While Mr. King was a lover of literary 
 acquirements, he seemed to cherish an uncom- 
 mon aptitude for details in business transac- 
 tions — for analyzing accounts and testing the 
 accuracy of technical procedure. During 
 many successive years, he has charged himself 
 with the duty of making estimates on several 
 branches of taxation for the city government. 
 His practical interest in the active trial of liti- 
 gated cases has been diminishing. But he is 
 said to have given much labor and care to his 
 lectures in the law school. I have repeatedly 
 heard his pupils speak of their interest in his 
 lectures and of their exceptional value. Mr. 
 
72 Rufics King. 
 
 King was for many years a zealous and 
 punctual member of the Bar Association of 
 Cincinnati ; also of the state and United 
 States associations. Whether he discontinued 
 his relations with them, I am not informed. 
 
 When the last constitutional convention was 
 held in Cincinnati, Morrison R. Waite was its 
 president. Mr. King was one of its most 
 prominent members. When Mr. Waite was 
 made chief-justice of the Supreme Court of 
 the United States, Mr. King was made presi- 
 dent of the convention, and served to its close 
 with full satisfaction to the members and to 
 the people of the state at large. I know of 
 no reason which would have made the ap- 
 pointment of Mr. King to be chief-justice less 
 acceptable than the appointment of Mr. Waite. 
 We now know that Mr. Waite was happily 
 adapted to that great office. We only lack 
 knowledge whether Mr. King would have been 
 successful to the same extent that we lacked 
 knowledge whether Mr. Waite would be suc- 
 cessful before he was tried. 
 
Rufus King. 73 
 
 Hon. Wm. M. Ramsey was the next to ad- 
 dress the meeting. He said : 
 
 When the life of a great and good man is 
 terminated by death, we are accustomed to 
 say, "his loss is irreparable," "the void can 
 not be filled." These expressions are some- 
 times criticised and condemned as being mere 
 rhetorical exaggerations. It is said that in the 
 progress of events the death will soon be for- 
 gotten, and that no perceptible consequence 
 will follow it; that the world will move right 
 on. The criticism proceeds from misappre- 
 hension of the meaning of the expression. It 
 does not mean that another, or many others, 
 the equal of the departed one, may not re- 
 main, but it means that the fields in which 
 such men toil are not at any time sufficiently 
 supplied with laborers, that there is more 
 work to be done than men to do it, and that 
 the diminution of ranks already too thin is an 
 irreparable calamity. There are, indeed, patri- 
 ots and philanthropists surviving Rufus King, 
 but they have more work than they can do. 
 
74 Rufus King. 
 
 If all were patriots and philanthropists, the 
 fall of one would be a calamity only to his 
 immediate circle, and not to the state or to 
 society. But some are neither patriots nor 
 philanthropists. Some are teachers by pre- 
 cept or example, or both, of false doctrines. 
 Some are digging at the very foundations of 
 the social fabric. Some are ignorant ; some 
 are weak. Some stand neutral in the mighty 
 contest between right and wrong. Hence, the 
 good and the great can not be stricken down 
 without general loss and general lamentation. 
 Rufus King was a thorough American of the 
 highest and best type. His character had evi- 
 dently been formed upon the models of the 
 revolutionary period of our history. That was 
 a period of heroism and self-sacrifice. It was 
 a period of unselfishness, of patriotism and 
 philanthropy. He listened to the recital of 
 its events from the lips of both father and 
 mother in his childhood. The personal share 
 of his immediate ancestors in its sufferings 
 and achievements caused him to realize its full 
 
Rufits King. 75 
 
 significance and to imbibe its spirit. The 
 children of revolutionary parents and their 
 children's children received a direct legacy 
 composed of the glory of that period, and it 
 enriched them more than any or all other be- 
 quests and devises. Rufus King was edu- 
 cated in sight of Bunker Hill and Lexington. 
 He was at all times a student and lover of 
 American history. It was from the example 
 of Washington himself that he learned it was 
 good to serve one's country without hire or 
 salary, and he followed that illustrious exam- 
 ple. He devoted his time, his energies, his 
 talents, to the public service during his whole 
 life without pecuniary reward. He labored 
 unceasingly in the interests of popular educa- 
 tion, because he knew that ignorance is the 
 greatest barrier to human happiness. His 
 idea of a public school was that expressed in 
 the bill of rights in our constitution, to wit, 
 that religion, morality, and knowledge go 
 hand in hand, and that they are " essential to 
 good government." He labored in the cause 
 
J 6 Rufus King. 
 
 of reform in municipal government, because 
 he saw in the misgovernment of the cities a 
 deadly menace to the safety and welfare of the 
 people. He was foremost in every effort to 
 promote the interests of the masses of his 
 fellow-men, for his philanthropy was not lim- 
 ited to any class. 
 
 I knew Mr. King when he was in active and 
 distinguished practice at the bar. He was the 
 same bright, energetic, attractive, aggressive, 
 and honorable gentleman in that relation that 
 he was in all others. He was cheerful but 
 dignified. He always had something attract- 
 ive and sparkling to say wholly outside of the 
 commonplace. 
 
 One could not come in contact with him 
 without experiencing an agreeable sensation. 
 He was inspiring and inspiriting. He had a 
 tonic influence. It was because he was genu- 
 ine and true as well as gifted and accom- 
 plished. Such a man is not only the subject 
 of admiration, but of affection. Some weeks 
 ago, many members of the bar of Cincinnati 
 
Rufus King. Jj 
 
 met to testify their esteem of one of its dis- 
 tinguished members who had announced his 
 retirement from the duties of his profession. 
 Mr. King had been expected, but was detained 
 at his house by illness. A letter from him 
 explaining and regretting his absence was 
 read. Those of you who were present on 
 that occasion will well remember the reception 
 which was accorded to that letter. The word 
 applause does not describe the expression 
 which followed its reading. It was something 
 much more .profound and significant than that. 
 It was applause indeed, but it had an under- 
 tone full of the deepest melody and the most 
 touching pathos. It was plainly distinguish- 
 able. It was the spontaneous, hearty expres- 
 sion of the love of the bar of Cincinnati for 
 Rufus King. I do not doubt but in that 
 moment there came to the mind of each one 
 present that which came to my own mind — the 
 painful thought that this gifted, useful, honor- 
 able life was drawing to a close. His loss is 
 irreparable in a large and true sense. Let us 
 
78 Rufus King. 
 
 cherish his memory. Let us emulate, so far 
 as we can, his virtues. Let us serve our fel- 
 low-men according to the utmost of our ability, 
 for the love of God. 
 
 Ex-Governor Coxs Tribute. 
 
 Ex-Governor Cox then spoke. During 
 much of the time since the war, ex-Governor 
 Cox has been closely associated with Mr. 
 King in the Law School. His tribute was to 
 Mr. King's peculiar fitness as an instructor, 
 his keen analytical power, his solid and robust 
 treatment of such subjects as constitutional 
 law, the lucid way in which he brought his 
 reasoning home to his pupils. He was a man 
 who never exhibited despondency, but was 
 always bouyant in spirit, gracious in de- 
 meanor, unselfish — one who recognized his 
 duties toward the community and was labori- 
 ous in their performance when it could be 
 done without reward. Modest in all things 
 concerning his own work, yet fully aware that 
 he possessed a faculty for doing it, he was 
 
Rufus King. 79 
 
 possessed of all the elements which go to 
 make a noble character. 
 
 Ex-Jndgc Avery on his Ptiblic Work. 
 
 Ex-Judge Avery confined himself largely to 
 Mr. King's unostentatious but most fruitful 
 work in behalf of the public — his long connec- 
 tion with the public schools, and the large part 
 he had in the founding of the Law Library, 
 the Public Library, the Art Museum, the 
 building of Music Hall, the important work of 
 the tax commission, the deliberations of the 
 constitutional convention, and the manage- 
 ment of the University of Cincinnati. While 
 president of the school board, to which he was 
 elected for many years from a ward of oppo- 
 site politics from his own, his work was not 
 only that of a presiding officer, for which he 
 had rare fitness, but also included a large 
 amount of labor which now devolves upon the 
 superintendent. Mr. King's reports while 
 president of the school board were quoted 
 from freely in proof that he was the directing 
 
80 Rufus Ki?ig. 
 
 head and hand and heart which brought the 
 Cincinnati public schools up to the high 
 standard of efficiency which in later years has 
 been accorded to them. Mr. King had no 
 children of his own living, but the children of 
 the public schools were his by adoption, and 
 profited from his anxious care extended over a 
 long period. In speaking of Mr. King's work 
 in connection with the collection of the Law 
 and Public Libraries, ex-Judge Avery laid 
 special stress on his penchant for the collec- 
 tion of old pamphlets relating to early times 
 and local history. The stores of these pam- 
 phlets which are now in the libraries through 
 Mr. King's efforts are of the greatest value, 
 and so rare that of many of them it would 
 now be impossible to supply duplicates. 
 
 Judge Hunf s Tribute. 
 
 The Hon. Samuel F. Hunt was then in- 
 troduced by Aaron F. Perry, President of 
 the meeting. He said that Judge Hunt had 
 been an attached friend of Rufus King, and 
 
Rufus King. 81 
 
 as presiding judge of the Superior Court, he 
 had been selected as one who should say a 
 word on this occasion. 
 
 Judge Hunt said no member of the bar had 
 passed the gates of death crowned with so 
 many honorable years as Rufus King. There 
 was something in his face not unlike the re- 
 ceived image of those who lingered about the 
 Academy— of the friend of whom Xenophon 
 spoke in his affectionate language as " the one 
 who handled all with whom he conversed just 
 as he pleased." 
 
 He spake as a thoughtful and conscientious 
 man, from the conviction of his own judgment. 
 His opinions commanded respect and defer- 
 ence and carried with them a corresponding 
 weight and influence. His whole life, private, 
 professional, and public, was devoted to the 
 public good. No man ever left a more honor- 
 able record. His intellectual endowments 
 were happily blended with the kindliest affec- 
 tions of heart, and above all these could be 
 recognized the sublime graces of a consistent 
 
82 Rufus King. 
 
 Christian character. He had withal the spirit 
 of humanity of which only Christianity can 
 furnish a parallel. He felt like Newton that 
 he had gathered only a few shells jon the great 
 sea-shore. He recognized that the egotism of 
 man must give way to the presence of the 
 Adorable. Like Moses, he would have put off 
 his shoes as he approached holy ground. His 
 spirit never stooped to littleness nor meanness 
 of action. He spent many years among the 
 monarchs of thought. He rejoiced in the 
 sparkling crests and mists of the ocean, but -he 
 saw the immense sublimity of the infinity of 
 waters beneath. 
 
 Judge Hunt said that those who planted the 
 foundations of human learning should have 
 great honor and be the world's high priests, 
 going into the most holy places. Rufus King 
 emphasized the idea that the public schools 
 should be the schools for the people, and he 
 gave them that high character which is still a 
 cherished tradition. Rufus King prepared the 
 McMicken University bill with Dr. Comegys 
 
Rufus King. 83 
 
 on which the present Cincinnati University 
 is founded. He realized that Cincinnati 
 should give a splendid patronage to learning. 
 He believed in affording privileges to the 
 youth of the city in the direction of a culture 
 which would not only enrich the city of their 
 birth, but which would bestow upon the coun- 
 try an act in harmony with its advanced civil- 
 ization. 
 
 The Art Museum, which crowns our hills 
 like the majestic Parthenon on the Acropolis, 
 is largely the result of the patient thought and 
 attentive industry of Rufus King in the orig- 
 inal school of art and design in Cincinnati. 
 
 Judge Hunt then referred to the abiding 
 attachment which had been awakened by their 
 association in the university board and as 
 members of the third constitutional convention 
 of Ohio. His home life was delightful. He 
 worshiped his household gods. The sweetest 
 incense daily arose from his domestic altars. 
 In the social gatherings of his home during 
 the sitting of the convention in Cincinnati, 
 
84 Rufus King. 
 
 Dean Swift would have been a welcome guest, 
 who could have appreciated the wit. and 
 repartee of his genial host. Judge Hunt re- 
 ferred to the words of Lord Mansfield, in 
 which he said that there was nothing more 
 desirable in life than the consciousness of an 
 honest endeavor for the acquisition of honor- 
 able fame. The ancestry of Rufus King enti- 
 tled him to insignia and coronets, but he pre- 
 ferred the title which comes not of lineage 
 and insignia and coronets, but which comes 
 from the consciousness of duty well done. 
 He was the crowned citizen, because he filled 
 the whole measure of citizenship. It was that 
 conviction which makes the whole city to-day 
 regard and regret the loss of this man. Judge 
 Hunt then closed with the hope that the name 
 of Rufus King would stand as the gentleman, 
 as the kindly, dignified man, as the self-sacri- 
 ficing citizen, as the one of absolute integrity, 
 as one who could not be turned from the path 
 of honor. He bore that name which is better 
 
Rufus King. 85 
 
 than great riches, and held it stainless to the 
 
 last. 
 
 ' Mr. Groesbeck 's Tribute. 
 
 Hon. Wm. S. Groesbeck said, on being 
 called to his feet by the chairman, that he felt 
 no inclination to speak. He was there to pay 
 his profound respect to the memory of Rufus 
 King. What he would say of him would not 
 be of his career as a lawyer, but as a citizen 
 and as a man — an excellent, honorable, exem- 
 plary man, who did not live in vain. He was 
 the most valuable citizen, said Mr. Groesbeck, 
 that Cincinnati ever had. There is no need 
 for exaggeration. His life can be contem- 
 plated just as it was. It is astonishing that 
 amid the duties of his profession he could find 
 time to do so much that was for the public 
 good. He gave years and years and years to 
 the service of the people, but the doors of the 
 public treasury never opened to him. 
 
86 Rufus King. 
 
 A Letter from Ex- Governor Hoadly. 
 
 A letter expressive of the general loss in 
 the death of Mr. King, written by ex-Governor 
 Hoadly upon receipt of news of his death, 
 was read by Mr. Brannan. He became ac- 
 quainted, he said, with Mr. King forty-five 
 years ago, in the office of Salmon P. Chase, 
 once a partner of Mr. King's father. No one 
 knows better than I, said the ex-governor, 
 how great the loss which the bar of Cincinnati 
 and the cause of sound legal principles for 
 which it stands have met in the decease of our 
 lamented friend. Continuing, the distin- 
 guished writer spoke of Mr. King as the only 
 true Federalist he had ever known — the best 
 representative of that ambition for highly de- 
 veloped but honest government for which the 
 Federal party stood. Speaking of the high 
 places in political life Mr. King might have 
 attained and filled with credit had his views 
 been more attached to either of the great 
 parties, the ex-governor closed with the sig- 
 
Rufus King. 87 
 
 nificant remark, " that it would have been un- 
 important, however, in comparison with the 
 great example of public spirit, legal learning, 
 and domestic virtue which he has set before 
 our eyes for half a century." 
 
88 Rufus King. 
 
 CINCINNATI LAW LIBRARY. 
 
 Memorial adopted by the Board, March 26, 1891 
 
 RUFUS KING. 
 
 We mourn because we have lost Rufus 
 King, whose many years were all rich with 
 usefulness and bright with honors which came 
 unsought. Although he preferred the regard 
 of those around him to the cold elitter of 
 wider fame, he kept the promise of a distin- 
 guished lineage and met the obligations of a 
 great name. He was one of those men who 
 enrich any community where they live, be- 
 cause they belong to it every way and always. 
 He shirked no duty. He neglected no trust. 
 He never wearied in fidelity to truth and 
 right. The law was to him a learned, humane 
 
Rufus King. 89 
 
 and honorable profession, in which gain never 
 supplanted justice. Life was to him only a 
 succession of opportunities to do good. We 
 can ill spare any good man, worst of all the 
 few, among whom he was pre-eminent, who 
 have the inclination and the ability and can 
 find the time throughout busy lives to do those 
 duties which make no appeal to selfishness 
 or vanity, but whose doing keeps alive in- 
 telligence and morality in public and private 
 life. 
 
 Mr. Kind's long" connection with the Cin- 
 cinnati Law Library Association makes it fit- 
 ting for us, as its board of trustees, to express 
 the esteem and gratitude of the association. 
 He was one of its founders, its president for 
 nearly forty years, its constant friend and 
 benefactor. By his aid and efforts more than 
 by those of any other member, the library 
 rose from its ashes. Under his wise manage- 
 ment, it has been through all these years a 
 pride, a help, and an inspiration to the lawyers 
 of Cincinnati. 
 
oo Rufus King. 
 
 Rufus King could have no better monument 
 to his memory, if monument were needed, 
 than the thousands of volumes whose silent 
 array holds and perpetuates the noble science 
 he loved so well. 
 
Rufus King. 91 
 
 MEMORIAL OF MR. KING. 
 
 Prepared by Ex- Governor Cox. 
 
 Adopted by the Trustees of the Cincinnati College 
 at their Meeting on the 2D of April, 1891. 
 
 HON. RUFUS KING, 
 
 LATE PROFESSOR IN THE CINCINNATI LAW SCHOOL 
 
 In the death of Rufus King, of Cincinnati, 
 the bar throughout the country will be sensible 
 of a serious loss. Although nearly seventy- 
 four years of age when he died on the 25th of 
 March, he had continued his active work with 
 uncommon vigor of body and mind down to 
 November last. He had begun his usual 
 course of lectures on the principles of consti- 
 tutional law at the opening of the term of the 
 Cincinnati Law School, with which he had 
 been connected for many years, but what 
 
92 Rufus King. 
 
 seemed a temporary illness interrupted his 
 teaching. He and his colleagues hoped still 
 he would soon return to his favorite work, and 
 it was not until within a few days of his death 
 that it became evident his life's work was 
 done. 
 
 Mr. King was an admirable example of the 
 thoroughly equipped lawyer, devoted to his 
 profession, and steadily giving himself up to 
 its private practice despite many and frequent 
 temptations to enter public life. Of this class 
 in the profession, very few in any part of the 
 country are known better than he — west of the 
 Alleghany mountains, none, it is safe to say, 
 who have declined political and judicial honors, 
 have had a more solid professional career, or 
 can more truly be regarded as the type of the 
 highly intellectual, refined, and able lawyer, 
 scrupulously consecrating his hours and his 
 strength to strictly professional work, except 
 as he, with equal scrupulousness, performed 
 the quiet duties of a private citizen in the 
 various walks of local charities, educational 
 
Rufus King. 93 
 
 advancement, and diocesan church work. Mr. 
 King was grandson of Rufus King, the distin- 
 guished Federalist statesman of New York in 
 the revolutionary and constitution-forming pe- 
 riod of the national history, and inherited 
 some of the most marked mental and moral 
 characteristics of that great man. He had the 
 same broad grasp of fundamental principles in 
 law and in politics ; the same devotion to true 
 republicanism in government, tempered by the 
 same conservatism. He believed with all his 
 heart in the nationality of the federal union, 
 and desired to preserve it by interpreting its 
 constitutional powers so as to give it true 
 national strength and vigor. He had the high 
 sense of honor which lifted him above even 
 the temptation to self-seeking and gave him a 
 standard of public and private honesty which 
 made him an acknowledged model for all 
 about him. Without the slightest assumption 
 or artificiality of conduct, he had a natural and 
 simple dignity of the truest polish and most 
 excellent taste, because it was the outward ex- 
 
94 Rufus King. 
 
 hibition of a modest, a refined, and an ear- 
 nestly benevolent nature. With all this, he 
 had the courage of his convictions, and 
 whether as advocate or as citizen, he knew 
 how to meet with vigor and to combat un- 
 flinchingly every aggression against the right. 
 In every duty and in every place he carried 
 with him the manifest evidence of transparent 
 purity of purpose and chivalrous devotion, and 
 when the charm of his personal manners was 
 added, he appeared to be what he was, the 
 thorough Christian gentleman, as felicitous in 
 the form of action as in the action itself. 
 
 On both sides of the house Mr. King came 
 of excellent American stock. His mother was 
 the daughter of Governor Worthington, who 
 was of the Virginia colony in Ohio, settling at 
 Chillicothe, the first capital of the state, in the 
 midst of the Scioto lands allotted by Virginia 
 before the cession to her revolutionary sol- 
 diers. The Kings were of the New England 
 colony before they became New Yorkers, 
 and so the best northern blood and southern 
 
Rufus King. 95 
 
 blood mingled in his veins. His father, Ed- 
 ward King, had left New York a young man 
 to see what opening fortune might offer him 
 as a lawyer in the new State of Ohio. Visit- 
 ing Governor Worthington's family, he found 
 attractions in Chillicothe which fastened him, 
 for there he wooed and wedded Sarah Worth- 
 ington, and won also an early success at the 
 bar as an eloquent and accomplished lawyer. 
 
 When the capital of the state was removed 
 from Ross county to Columbus, the Kings 
 changed their home to Cincinnati, where the 
 largest field offered itself to a lawyer of recog- 
 nized power. 
 
 Mr. Edward King, Judge John C. Wright, 
 and Mr. Timothy Walker established the Cin- 
 cinnati Law School in 1833 — the first attempt 
 at systematic legal education in the Mississippi 
 valley. Mr. Rufus King's great interest in the 
 Law School was therefore hereditary, like his 
 virtues. After preparing for and beginning his 
 collegiate education at Kenyon College, Bishop 
 Chase's new foundation, he completed his 
 
96 Rufus King. 
 
 undergraduate course at Harvard University, 
 taking his degree of B. A. there in 1839. Mr. 
 King remained at Cambridge in the Dane Law 
 School, under Story and Greenleaf, through a 
 two years' course, graduating in 1840, and 
 returned home to Cincinnati to practice his 
 profession. His junior partners in practice 
 constitute a long line of men in the first rank 
 of political, judicial, and professional emi- 
 nence. He himself, however, adhered to his 
 purpose to remain a private citizen except 
 when, in 1874, ^ e became a member of the 
 convention to revise the constitution of the 
 state. This was so eminently a call to the 
 highest work of the lawyer, that he yielded to 
 it ; and after Morrison R. Waite was trans- 
 ferred from its chair to the chief-justiceship of 
 the Supreme Court of the United States, Mr. 
 King was his successor in the presidency of 
 the convention. He did not shrink from the 
 labor of administering local interests, espe- 
 cially educational. He was long active in the 
 board of directors of the public schools ; he 
 
Rufus King. 97 
 
 was the chief actor in creating the Cincinnati 
 Public Library ; he was one of the first trustees 
 of the McMicken bequest and for many years 
 nursed it into the foundation of the University 
 of Cincinnati. In 1875, the trustees of the 
 old corporation of the Cincinnati College, in- 
 corporated in 1 819, determined to enlarge the 
 course of study in the Law School, and Mr. 
 King became the dean of the faculty, with the 
 arrangement that he should retire from active 
 practice in court and devote most of his time 
 to the school. He took upon himself the 
 burden of instructing the junior class daily in 
 the elements and institutes, besides lecturing 
 to the senior class in one department of the 
 law. In connection with this, he continued his 
 consultation and chamber practice, but after 
 five years asked to be relieved from the dean- 
 ship, resuming full practice and continuing his 
 lectures on constitutional law and the law of 
 real property. In these professional relations 
 his last years were spent, and though he was 
 relieved from the more severe labors of the 
 
98 Rtifzis King. 
 
 court-room and of the office, he kept the har- 
 ness on till his last sickness overtook him. In 
 1888, he wrote for the American Common- 
 wealth Series his historical volume on " Ohio, 
 the First Fruits of the Ordinance of 1787." 
 This is chiefly devoted to the analysis of the 
 events which led to and accompanied the 
 organization of Ohio as a state and gave char- 
 acter to the new community. The picture of 
 western civilization and of the elements and 
 forces co-operating to make the new state 
 what it was, is ably and attractively drawn. 
 The bent of the mind of the constitutional 
 lawyer is seen in each step of the historian's 
 work, and gives broader scope and value to 
 a narrative that is singularly lucid and often 
 even picturesque. 
 
 Mr. King was always an active member of 
 the Bar Association of the state, and for many 
 years a prominent figure, also, in the meetings 
 of the National Bar Association. In the meet- 
 ing of the bar which crowded the United States 
 court-room in Cincinnati to express sorrow at 
 
Rufus King. 99 
 
 his death, the key-note was well struck by the 
 Hon. William S. Groesbeck, who said, that 
 with all his professional activities and valuable 
 labors as a professor of law, Mr. King would 
 best be remembered by his friends and neigh- 
 bors as the model citizen, using his legal 
 knowledge and business acumen to aid every 
 good cause, to foster every local improvement, 
 to advance education in all departments, and 
 to befriend every man and woman needing the 
 counsel and assistance of a large-hearted and 
 able friend. 
 
 L. tfC. 
 
ioo Rufus King. 
 
 STUDENTS OF THE LAW SCHOOL. 
 
 Whereas, The Supreme Judge of the Uni- 
 verse has in His wisdom summoned our exem- 
 plar and instructor, Rufus King, to a higher 
 court. 
 
 Resolved, That in the death of Professor 
 King the Law School of the Cincinnati Col- 
 lege loses an able, efficient, and enthusiastic 
 officer, and the students an earnest and sym- 
 pathizing friend. As dean, and later as pro- 
 fessor of real property and constitutional law, 
 he gave the college the benefit of his rare 
 executive ability, valuable experience, and 
 ripened scholarship. The long line of stu- 
 dents who came under his instruction found 
 his true culture, vigorous personality, and 
 sterling manhood a perpetual aid and encour- 
 agement in their professional aspirations. 
 
 Resolved, That we, the class of '91 of the 
 
Rufus King. 101 
 
 Cincinnati Law School, express to the family 
 of Mr. King our heartfelt sympathy in this 
 great bereavement, and the hope that his 
 influence may long be continued in the lives 
 of the young men who will strive to follow his 
 example. 
 
 G. GLENN ATKINS, 
 
 ELLIS GUY KINCAID, 
 
 THOMAS MORAN, 
 
 Committee. 
 March 26, 1891. 
 
io2 Rufiis King. 
 
 TRUSTEES OF THE DIOCESE OF 
 SOUTHERN OHIO. 
 
 The trustees of the Protestant Episcopal 
 Church in the diocese of Southern Ohio desire 
 to record their sense of the great loss which 
 they and the diocese they represent have sus- 
 tained in the death of Rufus Kinof, who for 
 many years has been the honored president of 
 the board. Always prompt and faithful in the 
 discharge of every duty, Mr. King gave to the 
 interests of the diocese the advantage of his 
 great learning and assiduous care, while his 
 kindness and courtesy endeared him to his 
 associates and to all with whom his official 
 duties brought him into contact. His loss will 
 long be mourned. His place can not be filled. 
 
 LARZ ANDERSON, 
 
 Secretary. 
 Cincinnati, March 28, 1S91. 
 
Rufus King. 103 
 
 ST. PAUL'S CHURCH. 
 
 At a meeting of the rector, wardens, and 
 vestry of St. Paul's Church, duly convened, 
 the following minutes were unanimously 
 adopted and ordered to be spread upon the 
 records upon a page especially devoted to the 
 purpose : 
 
 IN MEMORIAM. 
 
 We, the rector, wardens, and vestry of the 
 church, desire to place in permanent form the 
 expression of our affectionate memory of our 
 late associate, the Hon. Rufus King, and our 
 deep grief at the great loss which, in his 
 recent death on the 25th ult., we, our church 
 and congregation, as well as the whole com- 
 munity, have sustained. 
 
 Mr. King had been for fifty years identified 
 with this parish, and was at his death the 
 oldest member of the congregation. He was 
 
104 Rufus King. 
 
 elected vestryman in 1847, an< ^ served as a 
 faithful and efficient member of the vestry for 
 thirty-six consecutive years. His sound sense, 
 clear judgment, wise counsels, were to us ol 
 eminent value, and his gentle manners, firm 
 ■principles, and uniform courtesy greatly en- 
 deared him to us, as to all with whom he was 
 associated. We feel his loss deeply, remem- 
 bering his fidelity, his sagacity, his ready and 
 efficient personal services at all periods in our 
 history, especially at the time of our late re- 
 moval, and his zeal and liberality since in 
 extinguishing the last indebtedness of the 
 parish, placing our endowment on a firm 
 basis. 
 
 In honor of his person and character, in 
 gratitude for his services, in loving memory of 
 his virtues, we, his associates and successors 
 in the vestry of St. Paul's Church, while de- 
 ploring the loss which the parish and the 
 whole diocese have sustained, desire to give 
 expression to our profound and affectionate 
 appreciation of his long and devout attend 
 
Rufus King. 105 
 
 ance on the services of the church and un- 
 failing and large-hearted Christian liberality. 
 The influence of such an example is invaluable 
 and will long endure. 
 Easter Monday, 1891. 
 
io6 Rufus King. 
 
 KENYON COLLEGE. 
 
 At a meeting of the board of trustees of 
 Kenyon College, held in Gambier, June 26, 
 1891, a committee, consisting of Bishop Vin- 
 cent, the Rev. Mr. Rhodes, and the Hon. 
 Channing Richards, was appointed to draw up 
 and present a suitable minute concerning the 
 Hon. Rufus King, a late member of this 
 board, of which minute the following is a 
 copy : 
 
 11 In view of the long and faithful services of 
 the Hon. Rufus King as a member of the 
 board, and his deep interest in the institutions 
 at Gambier, this board has received with deep 
 sorrow the announcement of his death, and 
 now records its appreciation of his high char- 
 acter and distinguished services in the cause 
 of liberal education, both here and elsewhere. 
 
Rufus King. 107 
 
 TRUSTEES OF THOMAS HUGHES'S 
 WILL. 
 
 Since our last meeting, death has taken 
 from us our dear friend and president of the 
 trust, 
 
 RUFUS KING. 
 
 The eulogies which have been pronounced 
 elsewhere, graceful tributes as they have been, 
 did not exaggerate his character — true man 
 and Christian gentleman, faithful to all trusts, 
 earnest for the public good. 
 
 Whatever rewards are reserved for duty 
 performed and a life well spent, he will have 
 entered into their full fruition. We mourn 
 the loss of our friend and colleague, and shall 
 ever cherish his memory. 
 
 The above was unanimously adopted at a 
 special meeting of the trustees of the Thomas 
 
io8 Rufus King. 
 
 Hughes will, held April 15, 1891. Ordered 
 to be spread upon the minutes. 
 
 B. O. M. DeBECK, 
 
 Secretary. 
 
Rufus King. 109 
 
 SOCIAL SCIENCE. 
 
 "At the session of the Department of Juris- 
 prudence of this association at the annual 
 meeting at Saratoga, September 3, 1891, the 
 chairman of the department, Professor Way- 
 land, presiding, it was voted, upon the an- 
 nouncement of Mr. King's death, that a brief 
 memoir of him be prepared by the secretary 
 for the journal of Social Science." In accord- 
 ance with that vote, a memoir was written, 
 giving a sketch of Mr. King's life and work, 
 closing with the following tribute : 
 
 " Such, in his relation to the city of his abode, 
 was the member of our association whose loss 
 we deplore ; and to such men, of public service 
 and of private virtues, the work of social 
 science most naturally falls in our country. 
 Had he been ambitious of political honors, he 
 would not, for so many years, have cast in his 
 
1 1 o Rufus King. 
 
 lot with those who aspire to no political office, 
 though ready to perform the duties of any 
 station to which they may be called. His was 
 the distinction, among a people who seek the 
 emoluments as well as the honors of office, 
 steadfastly to decline salaried positions, and 
 to render that unpaid service to his fellow- 
 citizens which our system in its perfection re- 
 quires. He took part in our meetings at Cin- 
 cinnati in 1878, and for many years in Sara- 
 toga, because he liked to hear what earnest 
 thinkers had to say, and was ready to add his 
 judicious and well-considered word. The or- 
 nament of the bar, he was no less the orna- 
 ment of any assembly in which he took part — 
 a clear reasoner, a modest proposer of useful 
 truth, and a seconder of whatever was bene- 
 ficial to the country and the world. He might 
 have filled the stations to which his ancestors 
 were called ; for he was a senatorial person, 
 and, as Horace said of his friend, and Milton 
 of John Bradshaw, co?iszil no?t unius anni. But 
 he chose the more quiet path of liberal studies 
 
Rufus King. 1 1 1 
 
 and professional eminence ; and it was his 
 delight to give the hospitality of his house and 
 of his mind to those who had the pleasure of 
 his acquaintance, with Horatian ease and with 
 Christian generosity. In all this he was hap- 
 pily seconded by the wife of his youth, who 
 survives him, and to whom all who knew Mr. 
 King accord that sympathy which is the best 
 offering of human nature in such a bereave- 
 ment. 
 
 F. B. S. 
 
 Concord, November 4, 1 89 1 . 
 
1 1 2 Rnjits Kmg. 
 
 COLLEGE OF MUSIC. 
 
 IN MEMORIAM 
 
 R.UKUS KINO. 
 
 To the community which for half a century- 
 has regarded Rufus Kingr as one of its fore- 
 most citizens, the announcement of his death 
 brought peculiar and poignant sorrow. 
 Words are inadequate to express the emotion 
 with which all that is mortal of so good and 
 great a man is laid away to rest until the great 
 awakening. 
 
 What he was in his public life, the annals of 
 his native state attest ; what he was in his 
 chosen profession of the law, the bench and 
 bar of Ohio know full well ; what he was as a 
 
Rufus King. 113 
 
 private citizen, the thousands who in his 
 adopted »city have enjoyed the fruits of his 
 judicious counsel and untiring labor clearly 
 understand ; what he was as a friend, those 
 who have known him intimately now realize 
 with the keenness born of loss. 
 
 What he was as a son and husband, will 
 never be fully known on earth. In all the 
 positions that he occupied during an eventful 
 life, he was an unostentatious, honorable 
 Christian gentlemen, eminently fitted by his 
 birth, his education, and his abilities for the 
 exalted station in society to which he so 
 naturally attained. In the providence of God, 
 his virtues are not transmitted to any imme- 
 diate descendants. He honorably maintained 
 a name which has for generations been a 
 synonym for patriotism, noble ambition, and 
 eminent success. 
 
 The trustees of the College of Music of 
 Cincinnati pay this tribute to the memory of a 
 man who was one of its founders and most 
 
ii4 Rufus King. 
 
 devoted friends. They hope that the memory 
 of his manly virtues will incite many of his 
 fellow-citizens to emulate his noble life ; and 
 they cherish the assurance that 
 
 "The memory of the just is blessed." 
 
Rufus King. 1 1 5 
 
 IN MEMORY OF 
 THE HON. RUFUS KING. 
 
 Office of Spring Grove Cemetery, 
 
 March 26, 1891. 
 
 At the special meeting of the directors, 
 called this morning to express their sense of 
 the great loss they have suffered, in common 
 with the lot-owners, in the death of the late 
 Hon. Rufus King, they have directed the fol- 
 lowing minute to be placed on the records of 
 the association : 
 
 As fellow-trustees with Mr. King for many 
 years, it is proper we should express our 
 sorrow that these official relations which 
 had ripened into tender personal friendships 
 have been severed. In 1878, in consequence 
 of the death of his intimate friend, Mr. Larz 
 Anderson, whom he succeeded in the board, 
 he entered upon his duties here — congenial 
 
1 1 6 Rtifus Ki?ig. 
 
 duties, not to be relinquished till his life's end. 
 He regarded it as a trust requiring his consid- 
 eration, being present at every meeting as his 
 rule. To this service he gave much time and 
 thought taken from the cares of an exacting 
 profession. Can too much be said of the 
 value of the service given by him in his later 
 years, so full of knowledge in its wider range, 
 the habit of legal examination, accurate rea- 
 soning, a broad, generous spirit in discussion, 
 ever courteous and gentlemanly in manner ? 
 Mr. King possessed one of those exalted 
 natures in which lives a noble, liberal soul that 
 influences the conduct of his fellow-men and 
 diffuses sweet influences every-where. His 
 kindly voice and genial manner will live, and 
 one might say " that to serve God and be 
 cheerful" was his motto. No insincerity nor 
 meanness, no jealousy or selfishness, found 
 place in his heart. He came forth every 
 morning fresh to duty year by year, unharmed 
 by anxious care, unsoiled by the ceaseless 
 
Rufus King. 1 1 7 
 
 greed for gain that tempts so many to forfeit 
 honor and virtue. 
 
 With such qualities, governed by principle 
 that would scorn a doubtful action, he yet 
 rejoiced in such universal friendship that he 
 may be said to have left no enemies. Our 
 honored and beloved friend was privileged to 
 attain the fullness of years, but now this 
 almost perfect life, so rich, so complete, so full 
 of priceless example, is ended on earth, for as 
 yesterday's early dawn awoke nature to a new 
 day, God's finger touched him, the angel 
 turned the gates aside, and his spirit entered 
 the portals of Paradise in his sleep. 
 
 By order of the board of directors. 
 
 HENRY PROBASCO, 
 
 President. 
 JOE C. SPEAR. 
 
 Secretary.