Frank Leo KLINE is now practically living retired upon a farm in Saratoga township, where he has made his home since 1889. He was in former years actively associated with the work of tilling the soil and raising crops, and the measure of his success is proof of his life of activity and diligence. One of Marshall county's native sons, he was born in Whitefield township, October 10, 1864, his parents being Peter Paul and Mary Ann (BRYER) KLINE, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father's birth occurred in Prussia, and on coming to the United States he settled first in Chicago, where he worked at his trade of blacksmithing. He also owned many houses and lots in that city in earlier years and he is now living retired in Henry, for his labor at a previous date brought to him a handsome competence that now enables him to rest from further labor and yet enjoy the comforts and some of the luxuries of life. He has reached the age of eighty-two years, while his wife is now seventy-five years of age. In their family were ten children, of whom seven are living: John B., a resident farmer of Whitefield township, who is cultivating one hundred and sixty acres of land; Mrs. Frances KNEIP, of Henry, Illinois; Maggie, who is with her parents in Henry; Mrs. Katherine HOFER, whose husband is a farmer of Whitefield township; Frank L., of this review; Joseph, who is living in Pekin, Illinois; Mary Matilda, a trained nurse in a Chicago hospital.
Frank Leo KLINE, educated in the district schools near his father's farm and in the public schools of Henry, devoted the periods of vacation to the work of the fields and early became familiar with agricultural life in every detail. He continued with his father until twenty-three years of age. Desiring that his labors should more directly benefit himself, he began farming on his own account on the BETZ farm in Whitefield township, Marshall county, where he remained for a year. He then removed to his present farm, which he purchased in 1889. It is a valuable and productive tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres on section 27, Saratoga township, and Mr. KLINE gave his personal attention to its supervision and cultivation for a number of years, but on account of ill health during the past three years has rented his land. In the fall of 1906 he expects to remove to Henry, and will there live retired, for his property and other interests are sufficient to provide him with a good annual income.
Mr. KLINE was married in 1889 to Miss Emily R. DARBY, of Saratoga township, who died in 1892, while their only child died in infancy. In 1894 Mr. KLINE was again married, his second union being with Bertha Irene BAKER, of La Prairie township, a daughter of William and Louisa (SCRUGGS) BAKER, the former a farmer of Henry. They now have two interesting children : Lou F., born March 16, 1898; and Ora May, born August 4, 1900.
Mr. KLINE is a republican and is a communicant of the Catholic church. He has ever been a broad reader and is thoroughly posted on matters of general interest. He represents a prominent and honored pioneer family and is one of the worthy native sons, whose life record reflects credit upon the county of his birth, for he is classed with those who uphold the legal and political status of the community and stand for intellectual and moral progress.
Extracted July 2011 by Norma Hass from
Past and Present of Marshall and Putnam Counties
| Bureau | Putnam | |
| Stark |
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La Salle |
| Peoria | Woodford |
