G. A. Kline

KLINE, SMITH, MCKEE, BEALER, LIGHTER, ALLEN

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 11/15/2011 at 15:34:39

G. A. KLINE, one of the intelligent and highly respected farmers of Melrose Township, Grundy County, who resides on section 35, has two hundred and eighty acres of valuable land, of which two hundred acres are comprised in the home farm. The remaining eighty acres are located on section 31, Felix Township. His land is well cultivated, the place is neat and thrifty in appearance, and everything denotes the careful supervision of the owner.

Mr. Kline was born in Perry County, Pa., September 4, 1840, and is a son of Peter and Sarah (Smith) Kline, both of whom are natives of the same county, and who were of German descent. The father was a farmer by occupation, and followed that business throughout his entire life in the country of his nativity, where his death occurred in 1874. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kline were born five children, and the family circle yet remains unbroken. They are: G. A., of this sketch; Margaret E., of Pennsylvania; J. H., a liveryman of Byron, Ill.; William A., a farmer of Perry County, Pa.; and Carrie, wife of J. A. McKee, of Newport, Pa. The father was a very prominent member of the Church of God, and occasionally preached for that denomination. In his political affiliations he was a Republican.

Our subject spent his boyhood and youth in the county of his nativity, and in its public schools acquired his education. In October, 1865, he was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary A., daughter of Joseph Bealer, a native of Perry County, Pa., who there followed farming and stock-raising until his death. Mrs. Kline was the third in order of birth in a family of eight children, five of whom are still living. After their marriage, the young couple emigrated westward, locating in LaSalle County, Ill., where for two years Mr. Kline engaged in teaming. He then purchased a farm of sixty-five acres in Grand Rapids Township, and carried on agricultural pursuits until 1881, when he sold out, preparatory to his removal to Iowa. On coming to Grundy County he settled in Melrose Township, where he has since made his home.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Kline has been blessed with six children, five of whom are still living: Mina, wife of Frank L. Lighter, a resident farmer of O’Brien County, Iowa; W. C., who died June 13, 1890, at the age of twenty-one years; Clara, wife of E. C. Allen, an agriculturist of Melrose Township; and Alvin, Lillie and Orvil, who are still with their parents. The Kline household is the abode of hospitality and good cheer, and the members of the family are widely and favorably known in this community. The father is an active worker in the ranks of the Republican party, and for ten years has creditably and acceptably served as Township Trustee. For four years he has also served as a member of the School Board. He has lived a quiet, unassuming life, free from ostentation, but possesses those sterling qualities of character which command the respect of all. Himself and wife are members of the Church of God.

Source:
Portrait and Biographical Record
of Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, Iowa
1894