Austin Augustus King

Austin Augustus King (September 21, 1802ndash April 22, 1870) (also known as Austin A. King and Austin King) was a Democratic governor of Missouri and U.S. Congressman.

King was born in Sullivan County, Tennessee. After getting a law degree he first practiced in Jackson, Tennessee and later in Columbia, Missouri

He served as a colonel in the United States Army during the Black Hawk War, was a member of the Missouri House of Representatives from 1834-1836, circuit judge from 1837-1848. He presided over the trial of Joseph Smith, Jr. founder of the Latter Day Saint movement during the 1838 Mormon War.

He was Missouri Governor from 1848 to 1853 (failing in his re-election bid).

He was a delegate to the Lexington, Missouri Slave Owners Convention of July 12, 1855 which endorsed a pro-slavery position for Kansas which was to contribute to the Bleeding Kansas battle.

He a was delegate to the 1860 Democratic National Convention where he campaigned for Stephen A. Douglas. He was a member of the 38th United States Congress from the Sixth District from 1862-1863 failing to win re-election.

He died in St. Louis, Missouri and buried in Richmond Cemetery in Richmond, Missouri.

References

* [http://www.nga.org/portal/site/nga/menuitem.29fab9fb4add37305ddcbeeb501010a0/?vgnextoid=b05adb471ab95010VgnVCM1000001a01010aRCRD&vgnextchannel=e449a0ca9e3f1010VgnVCM1000001a01010aRCRD National Governors Biography]
* [http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/king1.html Political graveyard biography]
* [http://virtualology.com/apaustinaugustusking/ Virtual American Biography]
* [http://www.kansasboguslegislature.org/mo/king_a_a.html Kansasboguslegislature.org profile]