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Rufus H. King died in Albany, N. Y., July 9, 1867. Mr. King was a native of Ridgefield, Conn. His father was an officer in the army of the Revolution, his name being associated in history with that of Major Andre as the officer to whom the British spy was delivered by his captors, and who had charge of him until he was executed.
Mr. King came to Albany in 1814, and in partnership with his brother-in-law, William McHarg, as a dry goods merchant, established a reputation for capacity and integrity which laid the foundation for enduring prosperity and ultimate fortune. He became a director in the New York State National Bank at an early day and more than twenty years ago succeeded the late Mr. Bloodgood as its president, soon after which he withdrew from his mercantile business and devoted hmiself to banking and to the purchase and sale of stocks. He was also president of the Albany Savings Bank and the Albany Insurance Company. The marked prosperity which has attended all these institutions furnishes sufficient evidence of his financial ability.
There was not in the State a more thorough merchant and banker than Rufus H. King, or none more extensively known, esteemed and confided in. The financial officers of the State through all changes were accustomed to avail themselves of Mr. King's knowledge and judgment as to the time and character of their loans. His experience and advice, always cheerfully given, saved hundreds of thousands of dollars to the treasury.
He was a life-long intimate friend and associate of Thurlow Weed; and though not at all the politician that Mr. Weed was, they were fast friends. No man so much as Mr. King, perhaps, had to so great an extent the full confidence of Mr. Weed.
In his temperament Mr. King was particularly a man of business. He devoted himself sedulously to those occupations for which he was especially fitted; and though having many opportunities for public preferment, he avoided them with almost morbid dislike. He was a faithful husband, a loving father, a true friend, and an upright and honest citizen. The most scrupulous integrity marked every transaction in which he was engaged. He made hosts of friends and no enemies. Generous to the last degree, he always saw the best qualities of those with whom he came in contact; and was probably incapable of nourishing such a sentiment as animosity.
Mr. King early in life married Amelia Laverty, daughter of Henry Laverty of New York city.
