John Abram Kline
John Abram Kline was born in 1857 in Jefferson Co. PA. Family tradition had it (erroneously) that he was born "crossing the mountains", which was the phrase signifying the trip westward from Lehigh Co. PA, which involved crossing the Allegheny Mountains. The fact that this phrase survives, and signifies the trek westward, suggests the difficulty the mountains imposed on the westward migration. It now appears from census records that John A. Kline's father, Henry Kline, arrived in Beaver Twp., Clarion County with his parents (see John Klein) as early as 1840, moving to Ashland Twp. Clarion Co. by 1850. Henry purchased land in Beaver Twp. in 1852, before marrying Anna Catherine Howe. Then, by the time of the 1860 census, the family is enumerated in Jefferson Co. PA, one county to the east of Clarion. We presume that John Abram Kline was in fact born there in 1857 as reported, just not on the original trip westward.
In 1885, when he was 28 years old, John A. Kline married Elizabeth Anna Frederick, known as "Ella", a first-generation American daughter of German immigrants John Frederick & Anna Catherine Kenemuth. (The Kline\Klein family had been in Lehigh county PA since 1744, though living in German-speaking communities until the migration to western PA by John A. Kline's grandfather.) For a time John & Ella rented a series of houses as John worked as a hired farm hand. One of these was the "Election house", on the farm which they later bought from "Squire" Maurice B. Shannon. This 2-story, 2-bedroom house was situated near the road. The lane ran past it a ways to the larger farmhouse which the family lived in later after they purchased the farm from Shannon. Three houses had been built on the farm over time, an original dwelling, the "Election House", and finally the large farmhouse. The "Election house", so called because it was used as a polling place after it was no longer used as a dwelling, was the 2nd house built on this farm. The older original dwelling had been built down past the fields at the edge of the woods, where a spring trickled out of the rocks. This house may have been gone before John A. Kline bought the land. Large rectangular limestone rocks used as the front steps, and an old-fashioned key found by Robert Beals years later, were all that remained by the time John A. & Ella Kline's daughter Winnie & husband James Elgie Beals purchased the farm. Winnifred May Kline was born in the Election House during one of the periods of renting it. It is thought the family lived there more than once before the purchase was made.
John A. and Ella had five children - three daughters (Annie, Winnie and Gladys), then a son (Fred, named for his maternal grandfather Johannes Frederick), and then the youngest daughter (Mary Philistia - named for her father's sister).
The Election House became used for grain storage, and John A. had his tools on a workbench in the cellar. A "horsepower" was rigged in the barnyard, to power grain milling for feed. Bags of corn & grain stored on the 2nd floor of the house were opened and the grain poured down a chute to the grinder on the first floor where the meal was re-bagged. On the porch a grindstone was kept. Once when John A. was sharpening knives, daughter Winnie fell and cut her foot severely, an injury which gave her pain and foot trouble for the remainder of her life. There was a rain barrel at one corner of the house, and a few apple trees on the side toward the barn. (These became overgrown, the roof & porch fell into disrepair, and in the 1980's the house gradually collapsed.)
The two older daughters married, Annie in 1908 and Winnie in 1910.
By 1915 John A. was mortally ill. He was taken to a Pittsburgh hospital, and died there. Ella and the 3 younger children remained on the farm. Gladys married the following year (1916). She and Annie married Sheffer brothers and moved into town in Emlenton. The 1920 census shows Ella with son Fred and daughter Mary on the farm. Fred married that same year.
Daughter Winnie and husband James Elgie Beals purchased the family farm, sometime between 1920 and 1922 when their 3rd child was born there. They built an apartment addition to the main farmhouse, for Ella Frederick Kline. Fred eventually operated a store in Rimersburg. Mary P., the youngest, lived in the house with her mother during her high school years. After marriage, her family eventually lived on the original Beals homestead farm.
(see Jacob Beals).
(Emlenton, Pennsylvania)
| Date | Location | Notes | Sources | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birth | 5 Apr 1857 | Jefferson County, PA | [7][13] | |
| Marriage | 15 Feb 1885 | home of bride's parents | To Elizabeth Anna Frederick | [4][8][13][15] |
| Death | 23 Jun 1915 | Pittsburgh Hospital, PA | [7][8][13] | |
| Burial | Old Zion Cemetery, Richland Township, Venango County, PA | [14] |
Immediate family in my direct ancestry
Generation 3 Generation 4 Generation 5
+-- Henry Kline
| (1827-1875)
+-- John Abram Kline ------+
| (1857-1915) |
Winnifred May Kline --+ +-- Anna Catherine Howe
(1888-1966) | (1830-1890)
+-- Elizabeth Anna Frederick
(1865-1921)
Sources: [13]
Children
(all children with Elizabeth Anna Frederick)
| Name | Gender | Date of Birth | Birthplace | Spouse | Notes | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anna Catherine "Annie" Kline | F | 29 Dec 1885 | Venango/Clarion | J. Austin Sheffer | [4][7][8][9][10][13] | |
| Winnifred May Kline | F | 10 Mar 1888 | Venango/Clarion | James Elgie Beals | [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][13] | |
| Beulah Gladys Kline | F | 28 Nov 1890 | Venango/Clarion | William Otis Branfield Sheffer | <sup class="reference"[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][13]</sup> | |
| Frederick Edwin Kline | M | 17 Sep 1897 | Venango/Clarion | Mary C. Rugh | [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][13] | |
| Mary Philistia Kline | F | 13 Aug 1903 | Venango/Clarion | Harold Louis Fillgrove | [5][6][7][8][9][10][13] |
Places of Residence
| Location | Dates | Notes | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union Twp, Jefferson Co, PA | birth - 1860 with parents | [1][3] | |
| Ashland Twp, Clarion Co, PA | by 1870 with parents | [2] | |
| Elk Twp, Clarion Co, PA | by 1880 | single, boarding with sister | [4] |
| Richland Twp, Clarion Co, PA | 1897-death in 1915 | [5][6][12] |
Photo Gallery
From the clothing, these two photos appear to have been taken the same day, one in front of the house and one at the side/kitchen entry. The two men at left in the first photo are possibly J. Austin Sheffer and John Frederick.
Sources
| Ref. Num. | Description | Image of original |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1860 United States Federal Census, Union Township, Jefferson County, PA, Page 157, lines 24-30 lists Henry Cline, 32, married to Catherine Cline, 30. They live with 5 children: son Hutchin Cline, 6; daughter Mary A. Cline, 4; son John A. Cline, 3; son George H. Cline, 2; and daughter Barbara F. Cline, age 9 months. Henry is a farmer. Everyone was born in PA. Hutchin Cline attended school within the census year. This census is dated 27 Jul 1860. |  |
| 2 | 1870 United States Federal Census, Ashland Twp, Clarion Co, PA, page 12. Census dated 5 July 1870. Lines 24-35: Henry (no last name listed), 42, farmer, $1500 real, $600 personal property; Catherine, 40, keeping house; Hudson, 16, works on farm, attended school; Mary A., 14, attended school; John A., 13, attended school; George H., 12, attended school; Barbra F., 10, attended school; Lucinda, 9; Catherine, 7; Margaret, 5; Ida A., 3; Clara J., 2. All b. PA. The family surname was apparently omitted by the census taker, but the names and ages are exactly aligned with the Henry Kline family. |
 |
| 3 | 1880 United States Federal Census, Elk Township, Clarion County, PA, Enumeration District 68, Page 13, lines 25-29 lists John Kline, 23, living as a boarder along with his sister, Ida Kline, 13, who was a servant, in the house of John H. Strutman, 30, and his wife Mary Strutman, 24. John Kline's occupation is listed as a carpenter; Ida Kline's occupation is listed as a servant. Both John Kline and Ida Kline, as well as their parents, were born in PA. Ida attended school during the census year. Both Ida and John Kline can read and write English. This census is dated 7 Jun 1880. |  |
| 4 | 1900 United States Federal Census, Richland Township, Venango County, PA, Enumeration District 162, Page 9, lines 22-27 lists John Kline, 43, married to Ella Kline, 35. They live with four children: daughter Annie Kline, 14; daughter Winnie Kline, 12; daughter Gladys Kline, 9; and son Frederick Kline, 2. John and Ella Kline are listed as having been married for 15 years. Ella Kline has given birth to four children, all of whom are still living. Everyone was born in PA along with John Kline's parents. Ella Kline's parents were born in Germany. John Kline is listed as a farmer. Everyone can read, write, and speak English. Annie Kline, Winnie Kline, and Gladys Kline attended school within the census year. This census is dated 20 Jun 1900. |  |
| 5 | 1910 United States Federal Census, Richland Township, Venango County, PA, Enumeration District 141, Page 9, lines 43-48 lists John A. Kline, 53, married to Ella Kline, 45. They live with four children: daughter Winni Kline, 22; daughter Gladys Kline, 19; son Frederick Kline, 12; and daughter Mary Kline, 6. John and Ella Kline are listed as having been married for 25 years. Ella Kline has given birth to five children, all of whom are still living. Everyone and their parents were born in PA. John A. Kline is listed as a farmer and Frederick Kline is listed as a laborer, both of whom work on the family farm. Everyone can read, write, and speak English. Frederick Kline and Mary Kline attended school within the census year. This census is dated 30 Apr 1910 - 2 May 1910. |  |
| 6 | Pennsylvania 1910 Miracode Index has an entry for John A. Kline, age 53, born in PA, white. He lives in Venango County, PA, Enumeration district 0141, Visit 0198, and he is the head of the household. Living at the same location are his wife, Ella, 45, born in PA; daughter Vinnie, 22, born in PA; daughter Gladys, 19, born in PA; son Feederick, 12, born in PA; and daughter Mary, 6, born in PA. | |
| 7 | Obituary for John A. Kline, who died at his home in Emlenton on Friday, 23 July, after a lingering illness from consumption. He was born 5 Apr 1857 in Jefferson Co., PA. Lived in Venango Co. for over 30 years. He married Ellie Frederick on 1855(sic). They had five children: Mrs. J. A. Sheffer, Mrs. J. E. Beals, Gladys, Frederick, and Mary. All five children and his wife still live. He is also survived by four grandchildren and four sisters: Miss Philistia Kline of Emlenton, Mrs. William Cooper of Jackson Center, Mrs. James Marshall of Bradford, and Mrs. S. S. Strotman of Shippenville. Funeral services were Sunday, 25 July, including burial in Zion cemetery. |  |
| 8 | Obituary for Mrs. Ella Anna Kline, widow of the late John Kline, of Richland Township, Venango County, PA. She died in the West Penn Hospital, Pittsburg, PA, on Monday, 11 Jul 1921, following an operation. She was born 13 Feb 1865 in Fern City, Clarion County, PA. Her parents were John and Anna Frederick. She married John Kline on 15 Feb 1885. John Kline died on 23 Jul 1915. Ella Kline is survived by five children: Mrs. J. A. Sheffer, Mrs. J. E. Beals, Mrs. W. O. B. Sheffer, Frederick E. Kline, all of Emlenton, PA, and Miss Mary P. Kline, at home. One brother and two sisters still live: John V. Frederick of Fern City, PA; Mrs. Mary Dietrich, of Glenshaw, PA; and Mrs. H. J. Jury of Fertigs, PA. Funeral services were held at the home of the deceased on 14 Jul 1921, followed by her burial in Zion Cemetery at Disler Corners. |  |
| 9 | Obituary from the Oil City Derrick, for Winnifred May Beals, who died on 4 May 1966 at the Franklin Hospital, Clarion County, PA. Her husband was Elgie Beals and they lived in Emlenton. She was born on 10 Mar 1888, at Emlenton RD 1, to parents John Kline and Ella Frederick Kline. She was married to Elgie Beals on 12 Oct 1910. She was survived by all four children; Ella Wilson, Loy Beals, Bertha Chambers, and Robert Beals. She was also survived by her brother, Frederick Kline, and her sister, Mary Fillgrove. Her other sisters, Anna Sheffer and Gladys Sheffer, preceeded her in death. She will be buried in the Old Zion Church Cemetery. |  |
| 10 | Obituary for Beulah Gladys Sheffer, who died on Sunday, 19 Jul [year missing]. She died at the home of her sister, Mrs. J. E. Beals, following an extended illness. She was born on 28 Nov 1890 in Richland Twp., Venango Co., PA. Her parents were John A. Kline and Ella Frederick Kline. She was married to W. O. B. Sheffer on 3 Apr 1916 in Oil City, PA. Her husband died on 6 Oct 1922. She is survived by two children: Otis Branfield Sheffer and Dorothy Kline Sheffer, as well as four siblings: Mrs. J. A. Sheffer of Emlenton, Mrs. J. E. Beals of Richland Twp., Fred E. Kline of Rimersburg, PA, and Mrs. Harold Fillgrove of "near town." Beulah Gladys Sheffer was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Emlenton. She was buried in a cemetery in or near Emlenton. |  |
| 11 | Marriage Certificate indicating that James E. Beals and Winifred M. Kline were married on 12 Oct 1910 at the home of the bride in Venango County, PA. |  |
| 12 | Property Deed indicating that John Abram Kline purchased his farm from "Squire"M. B. Shannon (Maurice B. Shannon) & Sarah Jane Shannon, wife. Recorded 15 Feb. 1897, Venango Co. Deed Book Vol 223, pg 218. Property on the Emlenton-Tionesta road, by land of Samuel King; 93 acres & 87 perches. Property history: 1) transfered by Samuel M. Fox to Jacob Reichard now deceased , deed of 14 Nov 1857; 2) to Joseph Disler now deceased; 3) by executor of Joseph Disler to John (McDevit?)10 Jan 1891; 4)sold by sheriff of Venango Co. 5 Mar 1894 to M. B. Shannon highest bidder. |
 |
| 13 | Research Manuscript of Ella May Beals (Wilson), daughter of Winnifred May Kline. Manuscript researched 1975-1985, includes personal knowledge and interviews of her siblings Robert Beals and Bertha Beals (Chambers), and of her aunt Mary P. Kline (Fillgrove). Family tradition was that John Abram Kline was born in Jefferson Co. PA as his parents were "crossing the mountains", a term evidently used for the migration from eastern PA to western PA. Henry Kline was born in the German community of Lehigh Co. PA. Apparently the Henry Kline family lived in Jefferson Co. for a time before settling in Ashland Twp., Clarion Co. PA. | N/A
|
| 14 | Gravestone transcription, Zion Union Cemetery, Richland Twp., Venango Co. PA, Sept. 1991 by Elizabeth Wilson Williams. KLINE John A. 1857-1915; Ella A. his wife 1865-1921. | |
| 15 | Wedding Certificate of John A. Kline & Ellie A. Frederick, 14x18 inch color-printed document in original frame, with tintype images of the bride and groom, and a photo of the minister. The tintypes were held in place with an early cellophane tape, and the document was backed by a wooden panel, which has darkened the paper. The document was buffered & the original frame with hand-painted gesso restored in 2009. Text, with hand written text in italic: This certifies that John A. Kline of Emlenton Venango County, State of Pennsylvania, and Miss Ellie A. Frederick of Valley P.O., Clarion County, State of Pennsylvania were united in Holy Matrimony by me according to the ordinances of God and the laws of the State of Pennsylvania at home of bride's parents on the fifteenth day of February in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Eighty Five. R. C. Bowling, Pastor of Salem Refd. Church. Witnesses: Miss Kate Kline, John V. Frederick |
Source Notes
[1] The child listed as Hutchin in the census is almost certainly Hudson Kline; age and birth order matches exactly. However, the spelling of Hutchin is clear on the census page. This is likely an enummerator error, along with the alternative spelling of Kline as Cline.
