Georgia and Georgians - the Digital Library of Georgia

GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS 3317Martha Anderson King, was born in Nottaway County, Virginia, May 3,1837, and has some distinguished Southern connections. Her brother, CliffordL. Anderson, was one of the ablest lawyers of Georgia, and served as attorneygeneral.Clyde Lanier King is named in honor of his famous uncle, SidneyLanier, the greatest of Southern poets and one of America's generally acknowledged men of letters. Thus Mr. King combines the business qualifications and the steadfastness of purpose that have so 1 long been characteristicof the New England character, together with the kindliness and generosity ofthe Southerner.Clyde L. King had a substantial education, first in the grammar schoolsand later in the Means High School. At the age of eighteen in 1892 he became an office boy in a hardware establishment, and remained with thatconcern for eleven years. It was a period of learning1, training, and of adapting his growing powers to an important line of business. He left his employers with the reputation of a capable man and with some capital, in 1903to establish the Atlanta Agricultural Works and for the past twelve years hasbeen the executive head of this enterprise, which company was merged intothe Atlanta Plow Company in 1914, which more and more is contributing to the industrial resources of Atlanta. It is a business which initself is a fine monument to the enterprise of its founder. Mr. King ledit through the period when every new factory must perfect its methods ofoperation and must conquer a trade territory for its products. In all departments he has shown himself a capable master, lias proved a firm but kindlylabor executive, possesses a broad knowledge of industrial operations, hasestablished a large market for his products, and has proved his wisdom andcapability in financing his business.Since taking his place among independent business men in Atlanta, Mr.King has shown that public spirit and breadth of interest which make himmore than a successful business man. His own career offers inspiration toyounger men, and he has frequently assisted and encouraged those strugglingthrough the ranks below him. The cardinal principle in his own success hasbeen absolute honesty in all dealings, and that he recommends to others asthe primary qualification. As he stands for integrity in the management ofbusiness interests, he advocates the same principles in public affairs, and sofar as his influence is effective he is a vigorous exponent of business efficiency,honesty and competence in public office, and sternly opposed to the viciouselement of graft in public affairs. Not long ago Mr. King expressed somesound ideas upon the economic question, with particular reference to the national tariff problem, and there is no reason to believe that he has altered inany way his opinions as then expressed. He believes it would be better forthe country if we had a reduction in the present excessive tariff duties,'andif our manufacturers would adjust themselves to the idea of selling theirproducts at home as cheaply, or even more cheaply, than they sell them inforeign countries the reverse of this being now7 the case, and constitutinga just cause of grievance on the part of the people toward manufacturers ingeneral. Thrown in contact with the farming interests of the country as amanufacturer of agricultural implements, and his own prosperity dependentupon the prosperity of the farmers, Mr. King believes that manufacturersshould seek to give to farmers those goods that will produce the best results;or, to put it another way, to try to be helpful to their customers, to encouragethem by all means in their power to a wider diversification of crops.Mr. King is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and has membershipin the Capital City and Druid Hills clubs. In political allegiance he isa democrat. On June 2, 1897, he married Clara Belle Rushton, daughterof Robert E. and Ella Byron '(Wight) Rushton. Their household of fourchildren comprise Irene Tift, Clyde Lanier, Jr., Clara Belle King and JohnKing.