Henry King (1832–1898) was a blacksmith who in 1878 became the third chief of police in Los Angeles, California. He served two terms of more than two years each, from December 5, 1878, to December 11, 1880, and from December 11, 1881, to June 30, 1883.An Illustrated History of Los Angeles County, California, Chicago, the Lewis Publishing Company, 1889, p. 746]
King was born in Ireland on May 26, 1832, but was brought up in St. Louis, Missouri, where he learned his trade. He came to the Pacific Coast in 1854, and "went to the mines in Amador County, where he spent one year, and the following year came to Los Angeles. . . .He was employed as a journeyman for ten years, after which he engaged in business for himself . . . . After a few years he went to San Francisco, where he resided six years, and then returned to Los Angeles and opened his present shop on Aliso street."
King was married on September 12, 1860, to Helen Costin of New York State. They had three sons and five daughters. King's mother, Mrs. James King, died on August 17, 1876, in her home in Kilmegan parish, County Down, Ireland, at age 84."Local Brevities", Los Angeles Herald, September 19, 1878, page 3, column 3
He was active in civic affairs, in 1875 being marshal of a St. Patrick's Day parade"St. Patrick's Day!!", Los Angeles Herald, March 17, 1875, page 2 and serving on committees to observe Independence Day."Local Brevities", Los Angeles Herald, June 10, 1875, page 3, column 3"Local Brevities", Los Angeles Herald, May 11, 1876, page 3, column 3. He was president of the Total Abstinence SocietyUntitled, Los Angeles Herald, December 11, 1875, page 3, column 3 and in 1876 was on a committee of the Irish Literary and Social Club "to receive and collect subscriptions" on behalf of "The Rescued Fenian Prisoners.""The Rescued Fenian Prisoners", Los Angeles Herald, June 29, 1876, page 2, column 4.
King was elected police chief by the Los Angeles Common Council on December 20, 1878."Local Brevities", Los Angeles Herald, December 21, 1878, page 3. He was turned back in his bid for reelection in December 1880 when the council chose George E. Gard to replace him."Council Proceedings", Los Angeles Herald, December 19, 1880, page 3. A year later, the council chose King over Gard by a 8-7 vote,"Council Proceedings", Los Angeles Herald, December 18, 1881, page 3. and he became chief again in January 1882.
Late in life he resided in South Beach, Santa Monica, where he died on October 15, 1898."A Pioneer Passes", Los Angeles Herald, October 16, 1898, page 10.
See also List of Los Angeles Police Chiefs
References