GEORGE KLINE, of Oneco Township, was born in Union County, Pa., Nov. 26, 1831. He is the son of John Kline, a native of Pennsylvania, who devoted his life to farming. The grandfather was Samuel Kline, and the grandmother was before her marriage a Miss Lutz. Mr. Kline’s father lived with his parents on a farm in Union County, Pa., until he grew to manhood, when he served an apprenticeship at the blacksmith trade, at which he worked for several years. He had a lot of about twelve acres of land, on which was located a shop, near Mifflinburg, and kept adding to his land until he had secured thirty-four acres. In 1856 he sold his possessions in Union County, Pa., came to Stephenson County, and took possession of a farm, which he rented complete, including stock, farming utensils, etc. Later he bought a farm a few miles east of Oneco, where he lived, and also bought property in Oneco Township, adjoining the farm now owned by the subject of this sketch, and forty acres in Wisconsin. He moved to his new farm in December, 1856, where he remained until his death. He was a Republican in politics and held the office of Road Commissioner. The mother of Mr. Kline was Miss Anna Englehard, daughter of Mr. Englehard, of Pennsylvania. They had a family of ten children, nine of whom are living.

George Kline lived with his parents until he was twenty-three years of age, lending a helping hand on the farm, in the blacksmith-shop, and wherever else he could earn money for his parents. At that time he married, and with his wife began house-keeping in a modest way. His first business venture after marriage was in connection with a brother-in-law, and they contracted to chop 100 cords of wood, and cut 100 immense saw logs for the sum of $55. Before completing this contract they concluded to sublet it, and it was finished by others. George then engaged in teaming, which occupation he followed for five months, and then worked by the day at any employment he could secure for one year. He then left his wife with her parents, and came west on a prospecting tour, but in less than four weeks returned to Pennsylvania, where he worked at day labor and odd jobs until he had secured sufficient money to buy stock and implements with which to equip a farm. He then leased his father-in-law’s place, which he worked for one year, at the end of which time he again came West, and joined his father’s family in Oneco Township, where he remained until the spring of 1859, when he moved one mile south, and worked a year for sixty-two and one-half cents a day, excepting in harvest time when he received $1 a day. During this time he boarded himself and family but had rent free, besides timber and a patch of ground for cultivation. He saved $40 the first year, with which he bought a horse, paying part cash and giving his note for the balance. He leased the farm on which he had worked for one year, at the end of which time he returned to his father’s home. For the next two years he leased small fields of the neighboring farmers and fitted them. He then moved onto the property where he now lives, and rented a farm adjoining, which he managed two years; then he rented a farm about one mile east, where he remained two years, and afterward purchased eighty-one acres of his present farm at $35 per acre. To meet the payment on this purchase he borrowed $2,000 at six per cent when money was bringing ten per cent. The parties of whom he procured money asked no further obligation than his word of honor, his word being considered as good as his bond. He now has as comfortable a home as can be seen in the county. He has purchased the old homestead and owns over 150 acres of land. He has always conducted his business on a cash basis.

Mr. Kline was married on the 6th of April, 1853, in Snyder County, Pa., to Miss Caroline Benfer, daughter of Michael Benfer. Her mother’s name was Catherine Maurer, who was a daughter of Jacob Maurer, of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Kline was born in 1833. They have had five children: Sarah E., Mrs. Bolender, of Rock Grove; Mary P., Mrs. Yarger, who now resides in Kansas; Laura, Mrs. Sherbondy, and Jessie May; one child, Edwin, died in infancy.

Contributed by Carole Parrish - Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. 1888