For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 602
JOHN L. KLEIN, M. D....From no professional man do we expect or exact so many of the cardinal virtues as from the physician. If the clergyman is austere we imagine that his mind is absorbed in contemplation of things beyond our ken; if our lawyer is brusque or crabbed, it is the mark of genius ; but in the physician we expect not only a superior mentality and comprehensive knowledge but also sympathy as wide as the universe. Dr. John L. Klein in large measure meets all of these requirements and is regarded by many as an ideal physician. Certainly if patronage is any criterion of ability he ranks high among the leading physicians and surgeons of Muscatine and this section of Iowa, in which he is now enjoying a large and lucrative practice.Dr. Klein was born near Iowa City, Iowa on the 18th of October, 1873. The name indicates his German ancestry. His grandfather, Peter Klein, was born in Germany and there learned the harness and saddle making trades. After coming to America he established his home in Johnson county, Iowa, where he lived retired to the time of his death, which occurred when he was eighty-two years of age. He was married three times, his first wife being the grandmother of Dr. Klein. His family numbered thirteen or fourteen children, including Anthony, John, Albert, Adam, Christian, Joseph, Peter, and Lena.
Of this family Adam Klein, the father of the Doctor, was born in Baden, Germany, and was a laboring man in his native land. He was, however, but eighteen years of age when he crossed the Atlantic to the new world, settling first in Philadelphia, while subsequently he became one of the pioneer residents of Johnson county, Iowa, where he engaged in farming. He died there on the 4th of October, 1875, at the age of fifty-eight years. He was a consistent member of the Catholic church, to which his widow also belongs. In early manhood he wedded Frances Walter, who was born in Alsace-Lorraine, Germany. Her father, who was the village blacksmith in his home town in Germany, also followed the occupation of farming and was the owner of considerable property there. He died in Germany at the age of fifty years. His family numbered one son and three daughters : Peter, Lena, Salome, and Frances. The last named became the wife of Adam Klein and by her marriage had eight children, four sons and four daughters : Catharine, who is deceased ; Helen, Mary and Ablert, all of whom are residents of Iowa City ; John L., of this review ; Adam R., a practicing physician of El Paso, Texas ; and two who died in early life.
Dr. Klein spent his youthful days upon the home farm in Johnson county, Iowa, to the age of sixteen or seventeen years and during that period acquired a good education in the district schools, which he supplemented by study in the Iowa City Academy, from which he graduated with the class of 1893. Having determined upon a professional career and believing that he would find the practice of medicine congenial, he next entered the medical department of the State University at Iowa City and was graduated in 1897. He began practice in Muscatine, where for thirteen years he has devoted his time and attention to his professional duties. He was associated with Dr. Weaver in establishing the Bellvue Hospital of Muscatine, of which they are still the owners. This meets a need in professional service in the city and has been accorded a liberal patronage. It is splendidly equipped for the care of the sick and for surgical work, the most modern methods of treatment being employed. In commercial lines Dr. Klein has also some interests, being a stockholder and one of the directors of the Muscatine Produce & Pure Ice Company.
On the 1st of October, 1907, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Klein and Miss Florence C. Schmidt, a native of this city and a daughter of Gustave and Agnes ( Achter ) Schmidt, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Muscatine. The father was a merchant for a number of years and afterward became a banker and also the president of the produce company. The extent and importance of his business affairs made him a prominent factor in the commercial circles of this city and his personal worth gained for him the high regard of all with whom he came in contact. His parents also became residents of Muscatine, where they both died when more than eighty years of age. Gustave Schmidt continued to make Muscatine his home until called to his final rest on the 16th of March, 1910. His widow is still a resident of this city. They were the parents of three daughters but two of the number are deceased, Mrs. Klein being the only one now living. By her marriage she became the mother of one child, Dorothy Marie.
Dr. and Mrs. Klein reside at No. 213 West Third street, where they own a good home. They are members of the Catholic church and Dr. Klein also belongs to the Knights of Columbus, the Red Men, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Workmen and the Elks. His political allegiance is given to the democracy but while he takes an active interest in public affairs and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, he does not seek or desire office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his porfessional duties. With a nature that never could content itself with mediocrity, he has so qualified that he has steadily advanced to a prominent position among the capable members of the profession in eastern Iowa and the public and the medical fraternity acknowledge his worth and merit.
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