Charles L. KLEIN, who carries on general agricultural pursuits on section 28, Whitefield township, is one of the native sons of Illinois, his birth having occurred near Henry, in Marshall county, July 4, 1863. He comes of German lineage, his father, William KLEIN, having been a native of Prussia, Germany. He made his way to the United States in the early '50s and continued his journey into the interior of the country, settling at Lacon, where he resided for a period and then removed to the vicinity of Henry. He carried on general farming in Henry township, but died about eighteen years ago. In early manhood he married Gertrude PETZ, who was also a native of Germany, in which country their wedding was celebrated. She died about twenty-five years ago. Unto them have been born six children: Adolph, who is now living retired in Henry; Peter W., who carries on farming in Iowa; Michael, Katherine and William, all of whom are now deceased; and Charles L., of this review.
In his father's home Charles L. KLEIN spent the days of his boyhood and youth and at the usual age began his education in the district schools. He afterward attended the schools of Henry and acquired a good education to fit him for life's practical and responsible duties. During the periods of vacation and after putting aside his text books he worked upon the home farm until his father retired. He then began farming on his own account and has been carrying on general agricultural pursuits in his own interests for twenty-two years. He leases four hundred and forty acres of land on section 28, Whitefield township, and his fields are well tilled. He owns eighty acres of land in Kansas and one hundred and sixty acres in Nebraska. In his business transactions he has never been known to take advantage of the necessities of his fellowmen, but has made a straightforward, honorable business record that commends him to the confidence and good will of all concerned. He now carries on farming quite extensively and is accounted one of the leading representatives of agricultural interests in his part of the county.
In 1885 Mr. KLEIN was married to Miss Mary S. HEINRICH, a native of Henry and a daughter of Charles HEINRICH. This union has been blessed with ten children: Daniel, who is now living on the home farm; Cora; Minnie; May Ella; Leo; Walter; Lena; Charles; Leslie; and Lillian. The family circle yet remains unbroken by the hand of death and all are still under the parental roof.
Mr. KLEIN is prominent and popular socially. He holds membership with the Modern Woodmen camp at Sparland and he belongs to the Catholic church. He is recognized as one of the leading representatives of democracy in this locality and in the spring of 1906 was appointed and afterward elected supervisor of his township, while for several years he had held the office of collector, discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity. He is successful in his business interests and his labors have been carefully managed, so that he has produced the best possible results.
Extracted July 2011 by Norma Hass from
Past and Present of Marshall and Putnam Counties
| Bureau | Putnam | |
| Stark |
 |
La Salle |
| Peoria | Woodford |
