Preston King

Preston King (October 14, 1806 – November 12, 1865) was an American attorney and politician who represented New York in the United States Senate from 1857 to 1863. King also represented the North Country in the U.S. House of Representatives for three terms and represented his native St. Lawrence County in the New York State Assembly for four terms. King entered politics as an ally of Martin Van Buren and was a lifelong opponent of slavery as a member of the Democratic, Free Soil, and Republican parties.

On November 12, 1865, King drowned himself in New York Harbor while serving as Collector of the Port of New York. He was appointed to that highly influential patronage position by his close friend and political ally, President Andrew Johnson, in an effort to unify support for Johnson's presidency and reduce corruption but despaired of success.

Early life King was born in Ogdensburg, New York on October 14, 1806. He was the illegitimate son of John King and Margaret Galloway. At an early age, he was committed to the guardianship of Louis Hasbrouck, an Ogdensburg lawyer.

He pursued classical studies and graduated from Union College in 1827, where he was an early member of Kappa Alpha Society. He studied law and was admitted to the bar.

Later career Afterwards he resumed the practice of law, was considered for the Republican vice-presidential nomination in 1860 and was a presidential elector on the Abraham Lincoln ticket in 1864,

On August 14, 1865, King was appointed by President Andrew Johnson Collector of the Port of New York, in an effort to eliminate corruption in the Port of New York and to heal divisions within the Republican Party. After his death, he was succeeded by acting Collector Charles P. Clinch (brother-in-law of Alexander Turney Stewart).

Personal life According to The New York Times, he was "remarkable for obesity. Though short of stature--only five feet six inches--he weighed over two hundred and fifty pounds. He tried hard to reduce his flesh by a course of dieting, but failed. Latterly, he took little exercise, but did a great deal of toilsome mind work." After a funeral at the Ogdensburg Episcopal Church, his remains were buried alongside his father and mother at the City Cemetery in Ogdensburg.