For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 185
JOHN G. KLEIN. Enterprise and good judgment have all assisted John G. Klein in the attainment of unusual success as a farmer. The place he owns in Muscatine county comprises seven hundred and ten acres and as the farm is in fine condition throughout it is regarded as one of the model landed possessions of the county. Here he was born November 19, 1859, a son of Lawrence and Catherine ( Schmidt ) Klein, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father came to the United States in 1838, and after spending three or four years in Ohio returned to Germany, where he married and in 1845, in company with his wife, again turned his face toward the new world. They made the voyage in a sailing vessel which required forty days for the journey across the ocean, and, having decided to establish himself permanently in Iowa, Mr. Klein located on section 28, Moscow township, Muscatine county. Neighbors were far apart in those days, the nearest house to their home being a log structure known as the Four Mile House. Mr. Klein was an industrious and hard working man and as he had fully resolved to make a creditable showing in his new home he set to work vigorously and gradually accumulated land until in 1880, at the time of his death, he was the owner of eight hundred and thirty miles in Moscow township, which he acquired entirely through his own indomitable perseverance. His remains were interred in Klein cemetery. He was a man of high character and attained deserved success. Politically he was identified with the democratic party and, being a stanch friend of education, he served acceptably for a number of years as a member of the school board. Religiously he gave his adherence to the German Lutheran church. The mother was called away in 1892 and she was laid to rest by the side of her husband. There were ten children in their family, three of whom died in infancy and one, Lizzie, at the age of thirty-two years. Those living are: George W., of Wilton, Iowa; Lawrence, now retired, living in Granite, Oklahoma; John G., the subject of this review; Matthew, of Atalissa, Iowa; J.A.J., who is now connected with a button factory at Beardstown, Illinois; and Anna, the wife of Jacob Gittert, a farmer who lives near Summit, Iowa.John G. Klein was educated in the district schools and continued under the parental roof until after the death of his father, when he removed to section 29, Moscow township, where he still lives. He has put in all the improvements upon his farm, including buildings, fences, drainage and the setting out of shade and ornamantal trees, making his home very attractive. He engages on a large scale in general farming and stock-raising and is also a very successful breeder of draft horses. In addition to his farming interests he owns considerable bank stock in various banks and is a member of the board of directors of the bank at Atalissa of which he was an organizer. For fifteen years he has been a director of the White Pigeon Insurance Company.
On the 24th of February, 1887, Mr. Klein was united in marriage to Miss Mary Plitt, who was born in Pennsylvania, January 15, 1864. Two children have blessed this union, of whom Clarence E. is the eldest. He was born February 4, 1888, and after receiving his preliminary education in the common schools became a student of Wilton high school, from which he was graduated, subsequently teaching for a year in Moscow township. He then entered Brown's Business College at St. Louis and after grduating from that institution was for six months identified with Mull's wholesale grocery establishment and later with Meyer Brothers, wholesale druggists of St. Louis. Having decided upon a professional career, he matriculated in the State University at Iowa City, graduating from the law department in June, 1910, with the degree of LL. B. After leaving the university he began practicing in his native county and in the fall of the same year he was nominated as clerk of the courts of Muscatine county. He is justly regarded as one of the most promising young men in this part of the state. The second son, Ivan, is now fourteen years of age and is a student in the common schools.
Mr. Klein is politically in sympathy with the democratic party and has served with great acceptance in various positions of responsibility, being constable, road supervisor, township trustee, member of the school board and justice of the peace, filling the last office about six years. He was treasurer of the school board for twelve years, director seven years and for five years was president of that body. Socially he holds membership in the Masonic lodge at Wilton. He is not connected directly with any religious organization, though he is a liberal supporter of the local churches, but his wife is a member of the Presbyterian church of Atalissa. As it is easily to be seen, Mr. Klein is a man of high character and is regarded as a leader who has won the title by genuine merit. He is public-spirited, patriotic and takes deep interest in every movement that assists in advancing the standard of citizenship. Hence, it is with pride that his neighbors and friends name him as one of the prominent residents of Moscow. township.
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