George Klise

KLISE, COON, DOWNARD, PRICE, HOOPER

Posted By: Fran Hunt, Volunteer
Date: 10/3/2001 at 11:28:57

From the Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties – 1890
GEORGE KLISE
George Klise makes farming and stock raising his life occupation, following those pursuits on Section 8, Harrisburg Township, Van Buren County, where he has a pleasant home, and all of the equipments and improvements necessary to a well regulated farm of the nineteenth century. His father engaged in the same business before him, and like his son, was reputed to be a man of thrift and enterprise.
George Klise is the youngest of a family of seven children born of the union of John and Louisa Coon Klise. His father was born and reared in Maryland, and on leaving his native State went to New York, where he formed the acquaintance of Miss Coon, whose hand he sought in marriage. His wooing being successful, they were joined in the holy bonds of wedlock, and as before stated, became the parents of seven children. In the summer of 1841 they came to the Territory of Iowa and in what is now Van Buren County made a location, Mr. Klise purchasing and improving a farm of about two hundred acres, on which he lived until his death in 1864.His wife survived him several years, passing away in 1871. She was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and lived a consistent Christian life.
The birth of our subject occurred on August 8, 1842, on the old homestead of the family, where he was also reared to manhood. His early life passed uneventfully, but the year previous to his attaining to man’s estate he responded to his country’s call for troops to put down the rebellion, enlisting in August 1862, as a member of Company I Nineteenth Iowa Infantry, under the command of Capt. S. Payne. He was mustered into service at Keokuk and assigned to the Thirteenth Army Corps, with which he participated in the battle of Prairie Grove and the siege of Vicksburg, after which orders came to march south to New Orleans. While on scouting expedition in Louisiana he was captured by the rebels at Sterling Farm, and for ten months was held prisoner, being incarcerated at Tyler Texas, and Shreveport Louisiana, where he experienced all the hardships of the Southern prison. After almost a year of such life he was exchanged, and rejoined his regiment in time to participate in the capture of Spanish Fort. Soon afterward the war was brought to a close and in Mobile Ala. On July 28, 1865, he was honorable discharged.
On the cessation of hostilities and the return of peace Mr. Klise once more sought his home and resumed the occupation of farming on the old homestead. In October of the following year he married Miss Rachel Downard, whose parents, John and Mary Price Downard, were early settlers of the county. Her father died in 1852, but her mother is still living. Nine children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Klise, as follows: Eda, wife of Harry L. Hooper; Carrie, Lydia, Laura, Stella, Charlie, Worth, Newton and Grant, and all are at home, the family circle having never yet been broken by death. In his political affiliations Mr. Klise is a Republican, and manifests a deep interest in the success of his party. He keeps himself well informed on all topics of general interest, whether political or otherwise, and is a valued citizen of the community. Socially, he is a member of Shriver Post, No. 177, G.A.R. of Vernon.
I am not related and I am posting this biography for those who may find this person in their family history.