Glasco C. King (1862-1939)      

Glasco King was born in Perry Co. Alabama.  His parents were Jessie and Frankie King.  They lived and worked on the DeYampert Plantation in Wilmont, Arkansas.  The King surname came from Ann King, the wife of De Yampert.  When Glasco was nine years old in 1871, the King family moved to Wilmont, Arkansas with the DeYampert family.  Glasco King lost his left arm while working in the cotton gin when he was fourteen years of age.  The DeYampert‘s took him into their home and nursed him until he got well and then   they sent him to Branch Normal College for one year in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.  He lived on the DeYampert plantation until he was 18 years old.   Glasco married Nancy Smith (1876-1932) in Portland. To support their growing family, Glasco became a schoolteacher and Nancy was a midwife.  They had eight children.  She delivered children all across the woods, back area highlands and low lands. Nancy traveled by horseback and buggy through Parkdale, Portland, and Sunshine wherever she was needed within a radius of a hundred miles.

Glasco King was not impeded by his handicap.  He was highly respected by all for his knowledge and accomplishments.  He was a farmer and owned 120 acres of land.

Glasco King was the founder of the first black school called the G.C. King School in the Sunshine community of Portland, Ark.  Glasco King was the first Black Postmaster General which he held for 19 years, justice of the peace and also a member of the Farmers Bureau and St. Marion Baptist Church.  He’s buried in Sunshine Community Cemetery.  He is listed in the Outstanding Citizens of Portland and Vicinity.  Upon Glasco’s death the DeYampert’s bought a tombstone to place at the head of his grave.