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William was born on February 9, 1768 at Scarborough, then in Massachusetts. His formal education was limited to local schools and ended when he was thirteen. He was largely self educated, and was truly a self-made man. Starting as a hand in a saw-mill, he went on to open his own mill.
He then expanded in virtually every direction imaginable. He became a ship-builder, then a ship-owner. He became the largest merchant shipping owner in Maine. He became a successful merchant and a significant real-estate investor. He opened the first cotton mill in Maine, at Brunswick. He founded and was president of the first bank of Bath.
King became active politically in 1795 as a member of the Democratic-Republican Party. He represented Topsham in the Massachusetts House in 1795 and 1799. After he moved to Bath, he represented that town in 1804. He served in the State senate for Lincoln County from 1807 to 1811.
When the War of 1812The North American War of 1812 between the United States and the United Kingdom is one of several wars associated with that year. It is more normally known in British texts as the British-American War to distinguish it from Napoleon's war against Russia w broke out, Massachusetts made him Major General King of the militia, in charge of the Maine district. He devoted much of his attention to coastal shipping and defenses. But he also led recruiting efforts for the regular army, for which has was made a Colonel in the United States ArmyThe Army is the branch of the United States armed forces which has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. As of fiscal year 2002 (FY02), it consisted of 480,000 soldiers on active duty and 555,000 in reserve (350,000 in Army National G. The war effort and defense requirements worked a great hardship in the Maine district. So in 18131813 is a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). Events March 17 Through a newspaper, the Prussian king Frederick William III of Prussia calls for resistance against the Napoleonic occupation April 27 War of 1812: Battle of York King began a seven year effort that started with his petition to Massachusetts for separation.
In 1816Events March 25 Friedrich Karl Ludwig, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Beck dies and is succeeded by the later Friedrich Wilhelm, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glucksburg, his son and founder of the Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glucksburg. he was re-elected to the Massachusetts state Senate, and finally secured their approval for Maine to become a separate state, in 18181818 is a common year starting on Thursday. Events February 12 Chile gains its independence from Spain March 11 Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is published March 22 Easter Sunday falls on its earliest possible date. The next time Easter will fall this early:. But then events were put on hold at a national level. The Missouri CompromiseThe Missouri Compromise also called the Compromise of 1820 was an agreement passed in 1820 between the pro- slavery and anti-slavery factions in the United States, involving primarily the regulation of slavery in the western territories. A bill to enable finally allowed Maine to be recognized as a state on March 15March 15 is the 74th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (75th in Leap years). There are 291 days remaining. In the Roman calendar March 15 was known as the Ides of March. Events 44 BC Ides of March: Julius Caesar, General of the Roman Republic, was, 1820. A grateful people elected him as the first Governor of the New State.
In May of 1821Events February 23 The Philadelphia College of Apothecaries founds the first pharmacy college. March 25 Greece declares its independence from the Ottoman Empire, beginning the Greek War of Independence. July 10 The United States takes possession of its ne, President James Monroe named him as a special minister to negotiate a treaty with Spain. By 1824 he had successfully negotiated a treaty that kept the United States from becoming embroiled in issues surrounding the Mexican struggle for independence. He returned home at resumed private life.
With the shifting of political parties, he ran once more for Governor, as a Whig in 1834, but lost.