John Gould King (1827-1900) of King and Son and Garton and King
1827 Born at Barnstaple the son of Thomas King and his wife Mary Gould
1851 Living at Joy Street, Barnstaple: Thomas King (age 50 born Barnstaple), Tinplate Worker and Ironmonger - Master employing 2 men. With his wife Mary King (age 47 born Bratton Fleming) and their son John G. King (age 23 born Barnstaple), Ironmongers Assistant. One servant.[1]
1871 Living at Barnfield, Exeter: John Gould King (age 43 born Barnstaple), Iron Founder employing 73 man and 19 youths. With his wife Elizabeth Gould King (age 41 born Barnstaple) and their three children; Sarah Elizth King (age 15 born Barnstaple); John Smith King (age 13 born Barnstaple); and Mary Alexandra King (age 8 born Barnstaple). Also his father Thomas King (age 71 born Barnstaple), retired Ironmonger. Also two visitors and two servants.[2]
1900 March 25th. Died. Of Belle-vue House, Exeter.
1900 Obituary [3]
'It is with much regret that we announce the death of Mr John Gould King, and the news will come as sad shock to his numerous fellow citizens. Mr King was the head of the old established and important firm of Garton and King, ironfounders, engineers and ironmongers of this city - a firm that has for so many years past been one of the chief industrial employers of the city and enjoyed a high reputation throughout the county, and no man was held in greater esteem both as a practical and genial business man and a kind hearted and attached friend. King had been rather poorly for some little time, but it was regarded as a slight cold that would soon past off. On Tuesday, however influenza supervened, but no immediate danger was apprehended. On Saturday, however, became worse, and despite all that medical aid could do be passed away at his residence, Mount Radford, on Sunday forenoon. He was 72 years of age.
Mr King was a native of Barnstaple, but throughout the city and county great sympathy will be felt with the bereaved widow and family, whilst Exeter has sustained a severe loss in the passing away such a worthy citizen.'
1900 Obituary [4]
'Mr. John Gould King, of Bellvue, Exeter, of the well-known firm Garton and King, engineers and ironmongers, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 72, was one of the most respected citizens of Exeter.
Mr. King was a native of Barnstaple, his father (the late Mr. Thomas King) having carried on business in Joy-street as an ironmonger, on premises now occupied by Mr. Giles Carter. On the death of his father, Mr. King succeeded to the business, leaving Barnstaple for Exeter in 1863 in order to join Mr. Garton in partnership. Mr. King was for several years honorary organist at the Barnstaple Wesleyan Chapel.
The deceased, whose mother was a daughter of Mr. George Gould, of Stoke Rivers, was a brother-in-law of Mr. W. O. Smith, J.P., of Barnstaple. He was a nephew the late Mr. W. R. Gould, of Ilfracombe, whose funeral he attended at the end of December. Mr. King had only keen confined to his room week, the cause of death being complications following an attack of influenza.'