The Children of Solomon Kline, Sr. and Barbara Fought
-Elizabeth, the oldest child, was born in Union Township, PA, on April 4, 1810. She married Gottlieb Blum, in Maysville, Hocking County, OH on June 12, 1842. They were enumerated in the 1870 Federal Census of Laurel Township, Hocking Co.:
Gottlieb Blum, 58, farmer and Elizabeth Blum, 60 with daughter, Susan, 19, who assisted her mother. Gottlieb died in 1872, and Elizabeth on February 24, 1885.
-Margaret, "Peggy," Kline was born on August 7, 1811. Margaret married first Johannes Pontius on September 2, 1834 in Hocking County, and after his death in 1846, she remarried to Ison Chenoweth on October 21, 1850, also in Hocking County. The census was taken in September, 1850 and found Margaret Pontius, 37, head of the family, with Barney Lanhaver, 19, Laborer, and Polly Pontius, 17.
Polly was not her daughter, but may have been her deceased husband's niece or other relation. In September 1850, Ison was living with two children - Hannah, 15, and John, 11, and his mother, Mary, 74, and sister, Hannah, 50.
The couple were divorced by 1860, and he was enumerated with his new wife, Nancy Julien.
Her obituary appeared in the Hocking Sentinel, Logan, Ohio on June 25, 1885, p. 2:
"Died June 20th, 1885, at her late residence in Falls Twp., Hocking Co., O., Mrs. Margaret Jeniworth. The deceased, whose maiden name was Klein, was born August 29, 1811 in Northumberland Co., Pa. In early infancy, sh was consecrated to the Lord through holy baptism and at the age of 41 years, after being fully instructed in the doctrines of Christianity, she was confirmed in the Ev. Lutheran church.
The deceased came to this state when a child, and has been a resident of this county for more than 60 years. She was married twice, first to John Pontius, and after his death to Mr. Jeniworth. The first matrimonial union was not blessed with any children, and two were fruits of the second marriage, of whom, however, only one survives the mother.
Deceased always enjoyed good health until about three years ago, bodily ailments made their appearances. These grew daily worse in spite of medical and tender care of those near and dear to her. She fell asleep, as we have good reason to hope, in Jesus, at the above mentioned date, having been a pilgrim on earth for 74 years, 6 months and 21 days.
Her funeral took place Monday evening, June 22nd, and was largely attended by friends and relatives. Rev. I. F. Miller conducted the services. Her body was interred in the family graveyard on John Engle's farm. May the Lord console and bless the bereaved in their mourning."
-Mary Magdalene Kline, born in April, 1813, married John Jacob Pontius on September 5, 1837, in Hocking County. The family lived in Falls Twp., Hocking County, Ohio, where John farmed. They appeared in the 1850 and 1860 censuses with children: Solomon, Elizabeth, Sarah, Catharine, John, Jacob, Mary, Catherine and Susannah. (It is possible that the first Catharine, born in 1844, died). Both Mary and John, the parents, died in or before 1870. During 1872 and 1873, grandfather Solomon Sr. paid into the poor fund for the care of Mary and Catherine Pontius at the county infirmary and to attorneys for the older children.
-Michael Kline - our ancestor
-Barnhart "Barney" Kline was born on July 24, 1817 in Hocking County. Barnhart and his wife, Margaret (Kobel) were successful farmers in Good Hope Township in Hocking County. Their family appeared in censuses beginning in 1850 - 1888, with children listed as John H., Susannah, Solomon, Sarah E., Barney, Margaret, Barbara, Daniel, and William F. In 1870, his real estate was valued at $4,000 and his personal estate at $1,000. Married on December 19, 1847, they named one of their sons to carry on the heritage of the father and grandfather.
Margaret died in 1888, and Barney followed on October 19, 1891.
His obituary appeared in The Ohio Democrat, Logan, Ohio, on October 24, 1891, p. 5:
"Mr. Bernhard Kline, son of Solomon and Anna Kline, was born July 24,1817, in Jackson township, Perry County, Ohio. Soon after his birth, his parents removed to Hocking County, in which county the deceased has lived ever since.
In early infancy, he was given to the Lord through the sacrament of holy baptism, and after he had been instructed in the doctrines of Christianity, he was at the age of 15 years confirmed in the Ev. Lutheran Church.
December 25, 1847, he was united in holy wedlock with Miss Margaret Kobel of Perry County. They were blessed with nine children, 5 sons and 4 daughters,of whom, however, 3 daughters have preceded their father to eternity.
On September 2nd, 1888, Mr. Kline had to experience the severe loss of his wife by death. He bore this affliction with a Christian fortitude and submission. In general, the departed enjoyed good health, and made good us of this precious gift, by faithfully following his calling as a farmer thus providing of the wants of his family.
He was a faithful husband, kind, father, and good neighbor, beloved by all who knew him. About a year ago his health began to fail him and bodily infirmities, mostly if not altogether, owing to his advanced age came on.
About two weeks ago, he became alarmingly sick. In spite of medical aid and of the tender care of his children and friends, he grew visibly worse until the Lord, through his messenger, Death, ended the sufferings of His ailing child. He departed this life calmly, and as we hope, in the Lord, Monday, Oct. 19, at 5 o'clock p.m., at the age of 74 years, 2 months and 25 days.
Wednesday morning, Oct. 21, his funeral took place and was largely attended. His body was laid to rest in Fairview graveyard in Good Hope Township. His five sons and one daughter, and other relatives and friends, mourn their great loss, which to him, as we hope, is endless gain. May God richly console the bereaved."
The Ohio Democrat, Logan, Ohio reported on August 26, 1893, on page 1:
"The most interesting event of the week was a surprise on Samuel Kline, August 18, which did not prove to be much of a surprise at last,for the old gentleman was wide awake and took hints from what he saw and heard and was ready to receive the throng of 104 persons at the time of their arrival. An excellent dinner was served which included 29 cakes, which showed the skill of the ladies in baking."
His wife, died on February 2, 1890.
"Mrs. Samuel Kline, of Laurel Township, died on last Saturday night, after an illness of about ten days. She was buried on Monday at the Lutheran Church near Enterprise."
By 1900, Samuel, head of household, 77, had living with him Elizabeth Bailey, his daughter, and his son-in-law, George Bailey, along with grandchildren, Mary C. and Samuel. The elder Samuel was named as landlord and George Bailey as farmer. Samuel died on October f15, 1904, and was buried with his wife at the St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Hocking County.
-Susannah Kline never married. Born on June 26, 1826, she lived with her parents and was appointed a guardian as an adult upon her father's death. She died on July 16, 1883 in Hocking County and was buried in St. John Lutheran Cemetery.
-Amos Kline was the youngest son of Solomon, born on June 24, 1824. He married Margaret Hagele on April 6, 1854 in Hocking County, and they had ten children. He also farmed in Laurel Township. He died on September 9, 1892 and was buried in Fairview Cemetery. His obituary appeared in The Ohio Democrat, Logan, Ohio on September 17, 1892:
"Amos Kline was born June 24, 1828 in Good Hope township, Hocking County, Ohio. In early infancy he was given to the Lord through the sacrament of holy baptism, and after he had received an introduction in the doctrine of the Christian religion, he was confirmed in the Ev. Lutheran Church, thus confessing a good confession before many witnesses.
The deceased was married April 6, 1854 to Margaret Hagele of Washington township, Hocking Co. This union was a happy one and was blessed with ten children, 6 daughters and 4 sons, of whom, however, one son preceded his father to eternity. In general, Mr. Kline enjoyed good health, of which he made the best use by faithfully following the vocation of a farmer and providing for the wants of his family.
About thirteen years ago, bodily ailments set in which were claimed to be the result of overtaxation of work. These ailments, in spite of medical skill and tender care, grew worse form year to year and resulted at last in the dire malady of Bright's Disease. He bore his trouble with great patience and resignation to God's will. He died surrounded by his beloved family and kind friends, Friday evening, Sept. 9th at the age of 64 years, 2 months and 15 days.
Mr. Kline was an affectionate husband, a dear father, and a kind and obliging neighbor, and to know him was to respect him. In what great esteem he was held by the entire community was seen at the funeral which took place Sunday morning and was the largest ever had in Laurel Township.
After appropriate funeral services by the undersigned, his body was laid to rest in Fair View cemetery. He leaves an aged widow, 3 sons, 6 daughters, 9 grandchildren, 2 brothers and 1 sister, and a host of friends to mourn their loss which to him is perennial gain. May God richly console the bereaved. L.F.M."
of Solomon and Barbara, she was in her twenties when her parents died. She was born July 22, 1832, in Hocking County and married Andrew Frederick Blum, born in Stuttgart, Wurtemberg, Germany on August 15, 1848, in Hocking County. He was the second son of Martin Blum and Jacobine Sheine Blum. The Blum family first settled near Hanover, Pennsylvania, but like the Klines, eventually moved to Perry County and then Hocking County, Ohio.
Sarah and Andrew Blum had twelve children, including Margaret, Jacobine, Barbara A., Abraham, Mary, Solomon, Caroline, Samuel, Ella, John H., Emma, George, Andrew (died in infancy).
(Part of the challenge of researching this family is the repetition of first names within each family!)
Andrew Blum died on July 1, 1900 and his obituary appeared in the Ohio Democrat, Logan, Ohio on July 12, 1900, p. 2:
"Andrew Frederick Blum, one of Hocking County's highly esteemed farmers, was born at Klein Engershelm, Obrant Besighem Koenigreich, Wuertemburg, on the 28th of September 1827, and on the 30th of September,he was brought to Jesus by Baptism.
When 4 years old, he came to this country with his parents, landing at Baltimore, Maryland, rom whence they traveled through almost trackless wilderness. Settling down near Thornville, Perry Co., Ohio, the deceased spent his boyhood in that region.
Having been instructed in the doctrine of the Evang. Lutheran Church, he became and active and faithful member of the same unto death. When about 16 years of age, his parents moved to Gibisonville, Hocking County, Ohio, where the youth grew to manhood.
July 4th 1848, he was united with Miss Sarah Kline in the holy bonds of matrimony. This happy union of 52 years was blessed with 13 children, 6 sons and 7 daughters. The oldest son died in infancy. The sorrow-striken widow, 12 children, 1 brother and 2 sisters survive him.
The deceased led an exemplary Christian life. His place in church was never vacant unless sickness caused it to be. This aged father and and mother had the joy of seeing their large family all become faithful members of the church of their choice.
Having generally enjoyed good health until about four weeks ago, kind and gentle father Blum was suddenly and violently taken with a complication of diseases baffling the best medical skill and the most tender treatment that willing hands could give. During the long weeks of sickness, his great joy and comfort was prayer and the Gospel of Jesus. Believing firmly by the grace of God that 'To live in Christ, and to die is gain,' and having bidden his loved ones farewell, he fell asleep in Jesus at 7 p.m. July 1st at the age of 72 years, 9 months, 6 days.
Burial service was held at the house, caused by the removal of the old and the building of the new church. The exceedingly numerous friends paying their last respects to the dead, lead us to believe that father Blum was highly and universally esteemed. The family of the deceased wishes to express heartfelt thanks for sympathy extended and kindness rendered in the time of grief. Rev. E. G. Spoehr."
Sarah Kline Blum died on July 21, 1915:
"Mrs. Sarah Blum was the daughter of Solomon and Barbara Klein. She was born in Good Hope Township, Hocking County, on the 22 day of July 1841. (sic 1832)
In early infancy, she was baptized and at the proper age, after instruction in the doctrines of God's Word as confessed by the Lutheran church, was confirmed therein after having publicly confessed the same as her faith. During all her long life, she remained a faithful and consistent member of the Lutheran church, most of the time as a member of St. John's congregation.
On August 15, 1848, she was joined in holy wedlock to Mr. Andrew Blum. Thirteen children were born to them, of whom ten survive their parents. They are: Mrs. Margaret Miller, Mrs. George Miller, Mrs. John Rish, Abraham Blum, Mrs. Mary Gordon, Mrs. August Hildebrant, Samuel Blum, John H. Blum, Mrs. John Lenz and George Blum.
At the beginning of their married life, Mr. and Mrs. Blum resided on a farm in Laurel township, where they lived four years. Then they moved to VanWert County, where they staid only two years, returning then to Laurel township to take care of Mr. Blum's aged mother. After her death, they removed to Whitley county in Northern Indiana. There they remained several years, returning to Good Hope township to take care of Mr. Blum's father until his death. In 1873, they moved on the farm in Falls township where they resided for the rest of their days.
Mr. Blum preceded his wife to the better world fifteen years ago, on the 1st day of July 1900. After Mr. Blum's death, mother Blum continued to live on the old place with her son, George and wife, who faithfully cared for their aged mother during her declining years. On the 1st of November last Mother Blum suffered a slight stroke of paralysis affecting her heart and head and from which, she never fully recovered About the middle of last March, she also suffered a serious attack of heart trouble and her life was despaired of. After five weeks, however, she seemed to have fully recovered from that ailment; but within three weeks, she suffered another stroke of paralysis affecting her right side and beclouding her mental facilities.
For nine long weeks, she lay bed-fast, during which time her children cared for her with true filial devotion and tenderness. Gradually, the powers of her remarkably strong constitution gave way, and on Wednesday morning, July 21st, she peacefully fell asleep at a quarter past eleven o'clock. Had she lived but one day more, she would have attained her 84th birthday.
Mother Blum was in many respects a remarkable old lady. Until her recent illness, she remained in the possession of not only remarkable physical strength for her age, but also unclouded mental faculties and well preserved senses. She was well and favorably known by hosts of friends as a devoted wife and mother, a kind and considerate neighbor, and a most estimable Christian lady. She is survived by her ten children, fifty-nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. 'The memory of the just is blessed.'
