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In 1988, the Kent Agricultural Hall of Fame was created to honour those that demonstrated unselfish achievement within the realm of agriculture and service to the rural community.
Photo image of Eugene Alfred King

King, Eugene Alfred

- 1989
1896-1965

Inducted: November 29, 1989

Eugene King won the respect of the community as a successful Dover Township farmer and farm leader and enhanced that reputation with a second retirement career as Sheriff of Kent County.

Like many of his generation, Mr. King started to work after completing Grade 7. Eventually, he owned and farmed 350 acres in Dover Township.

Mr. King was involved from the first in the organization of farm marketing. He was active in the establishment of the Ontario Sugar Beet Growers' Marketing Board; and later served as Chairman of the Canadian Sugar Beet Board.

When the sugar beet industry became involved in dissension in the post World War II years, his persuasive intervention helped give it a 20-year reprieve.

Mr. King was also a member of the Burley Tobacco Marketing Association of Ontario and the Ontario Seed Corn Growers' Marketing Board. He was Chairman of the Ontario White Bean Producers' Marketing Board before pollution-induced "bronzing" forced production to move east and north.

Mr. King served as Reeve of Dover Township; and contested the federal Kent Riding as a Progressive Conservative candidate.

His charm and powers of persuasion brought calm to many stormy farm organization meetings. When all else failed, he would lead in the singing of "Allouette."

One long-term friend and associate said when he died: "Everyone Gene knew loved and respected him, and he knew everyone."