King in Waupaca County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

General Charles King

1844 – 1933

Photographed by Fitzie Heimdahl

1. General Charles King Marker

Inscription. Charles King, one of America's most illustrious soldiers, was born in New York and came to Milwaukee in 1845. His father was Rufus King, editor and publisher of the Milwaukee Sentinel and first commander of the famed Civil War Iron Brigade. Charles King graduated from West Point, took part in the Civil War, and served on active duty until 1879, when a serious battle wound during an Indian campaign forced his retirement. Returning to Wisconsin, King began a writing career popularizing the exploits of the U.S. cavalry in the West. He also helped transform the state's militia system into the modern National Guard and commanded the Guard during the 1886 labor riots in Bay View. King taught for many years at St. Johns Military Academy in Delafield. Re-entering federal service during the Spanish-American War, King attained the rank of brigadier general and later participated in World War I. Spending more than seventy years in uniform -- longer than any soldier in American history -- King also wrote and published extensively on military life. The village of King in Waupaca County bears his name.

Erected 1999 by the Wisconsin

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Historical Society. (Marker Number 422.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, Spanish-American • War, US Civil • War, World I • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1845.

Location. 44° 20.194′ N, 89° 8.561′ W. Marker is in King, Wisconsin, in Waupaca County. It can be reached from the intersection of County Road QQ and Bell Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Marker is by an access road to a parking area. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: King WI 54946, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern Wisconsin. It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: In Memory Of The Grand Army Of The Republic

Photographed by Keith L, September 6, 2007

2. General Charles King Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker); Grand Army Home (approx. 0.2 miles away); Waupaca County War Memorial (approx. 3.2 miles away); Old Coach Road (approx. 3.7 miles away); Hellestad House (approx. 3.7 miles away); Windfeldt Estate (approx. 4.1 miles away); Jorgens Park Preserve / A Tribute (approx. 9.1 miles away); Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer (approx. 9.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in King.

Other markers no longer nearby. Lake with a Secret (was approx. 3.7 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Fish Raceway (was approx. 3.7 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Photographed by Keith L, September 6, 2007

3. General Charles King Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 26, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,884 times since then and 65 times this year. Last updated on March 8, 2020, by Devon Polzar of Port Washington, Wisconsin. Photos: 1. submitted on November 25, 2025, by Fitzie Heimdahl of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. 2, 3. submitted on January 26, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.