Cline, Charles C.

CLINE, FISHBURN, DIXON

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/27/2009 at 18:11:48

Cline, Charles C.

Agriculture has been the true source of man's dominion on earth ever since the primal existence of labor and been the pivotal industry that has controlled, for the most part, all the fields of action to which his intelligence and energy have been devoted. Among this sturdy element of Jasper County whose labors have profited alike themselves and the community in which they live is the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch, and in view of the consistent life record lived by Mr. Cline since coming to Richland Township it is particularly fitting that the following chronicle of his career be incorporated in a book of this nature.

Charles C. Cline was born in Ottawa, LaSalle County. Illinois, March 16, 1860, the son of George W. and America (Fishburn) Cline. His maternal grandparents, Jacob and Catherine Fishburn, were natives of Pennsylvania, but of German descent. They moved to Ottawa, Illinois, about 1844 when that country was in the first epoch of development. He was a butcher and cooper by trade, but upon his arrival in Illinois he took up farming, but later returned to the butcher business. He did well in the new country and was enabled to spend his last days in retirement. Their daughter, America, mother of the subject, was six years old when she was brought to Illinois and there she grew to womanhood and was married. The paternal grandparents of Charles C. Cline, of this sketch, John and Elizabeth Cline, were natives of Virginia, where they grew up and from there moved to southern Ohio, where they remained two years, and then came to Tazewell County, Illinois, locating near Delavan. Mr. Cline was a shoemaker by trade and this he followed for a livelihood, both remaining in the last named vicinity until their death. George W. Cline was born in 1829. He was reared near Delavan, Tazewell County, Illinois, and in 1858 he was married in LaSalle County. In 1865 they moved to Livingston County and there engaged in farming, the father's death occurring in 1900. Politically, he was a Democrat and held a number of local offices, such as Township supervisor. He was once a candidate for sheriff. He was very successful in his life work and at the time of his death owned a splendid farm of three hundred and twenty acres. His widow survives, being now seventy-four years of age. They became the parents of eleven children, ten of whom are living. The father was a good and useful man, took particular pains to rear his family in comfort and respectability, and he always set a good example. The mother is a worthy member of the Baptist Church.

Charles C. Cline, of this review, received a good common school education, though, being the oldest son, he was compelled to assist with the general work about the home farm when a boy. He started in life for himself as a farmer and rented in Illinois for five years in order to get a start. In 1891 he came to Jasper County, Iowa, and has operated a good farm of two hundred acres in Richland Township, on which he has installed up-to-date improvements. He pays particular attention to live stock and is a breeder of Poland China hogs and roan Durham cattle, selling about one hundred head of the former annually. Up to about eight years ago he raised a carload of cattle annually. Politically, he is a Republican, and he belongs to the Lynnville lodge of Masons.

Mr. Cline was married on March 31, 1887, to Ellen Dixon, a native of Illinois and the daughter of Springer and Mary Dixon, old settlers from Pennsylvania. Her father's death occurred on June 23, 1911, but the mother is still living. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Cline, named as follows: Grace, Edna, George, Harry and the youngest, who died at birth. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 866