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Below is a family biography included in the book,  Portrait and biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania published in 1894 by Chapman Publishing Company.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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DAVID R. KLINE. This gentleman, to a perusal of whose history we invite the attention of the reader, is proprietor of the Novelty Iron Works, which were established in Allentown in 1889. The building which they occupy is 60x218 feet in dimensions, and is located in South Allentown, near the tracks of the Lehigh Valley Railroad. Mr. Kline is engaged in the manufacture of art metals of a very fine quality, from which are made lamps, ornaments, etc., and which find a ready market in New York and New Jersey. The plant is equipped with the best and most approved machinery, and Mr. Kline employs in his shops over forty men.

The subject of this sketch was. born near Reading, Berks County, this state, March 9, 1841. He is the son of John Kline, also a native of the above county, to whom the honor of establishing the free-school system in the district in which he lived in Berks County is due. He had to fight very hard to gain his point, as the more ignorant people were most bitterly opposed to any such measure being adopted. The father of our subject was a very intelligent and broad-minded gentleman, and, having been deprived of the advantages offered by the free schools himself, saw the importance of introducing the system in his native county; and many of those who opposed him lived to thank him many times for the kindness of heart which prompted him to labor so hard and untiringly in order that their children might receive a good education.

The Kline family originally came from Germany, and George Kline, the great-grandfather of our subject, on coming to the New World located in Berks County, this state, where he organized a Baptist Church, in which denomination he was a prominent minister. The mother of our subject, who prior to her marriage was Miss Hannah Reinsmith, was born in Lehigh County, and was the daughter of Henry Reinsmith.

David R. Kline, of this sketch, was given little opportunity for obtaining an education, and when leaving home, and while employed in learning the trade of a machinist, purchased books and carried on his studies at night, thus educating himself. On attaining his eighteenth year, he began working at his trade.

In 1862 our subject joined the volunteers from his state, and enlisted his services in the Union army, becoming a member of Company B, Fifty-third Pennsylvania Infantry, under the command of Colonel Rogers. He was assigned to guard duty, and, although not being engaged in actual service, suffered all the hardships which the soldiers were called upon to endure.

On the close of the war Mr. Kline returned to Reading, which place was his home until 1868, the date of his coming to Allentown. For the first five years succeeding that time he worked for H. H. Fisher in his foundry, after which he was employed for two years for the Lehigh Furnace Company. In 1875 our subject went to Ridgeway, this state, and, forming a partnership with J. S. Hyde & Son, established a factory at a cost of $10,000. The Brm carried on business under the style of Hyde, Kline & Co., and made a specialty of manufacturing sawmill and tannery machinery. The connection lasted for fourteen years, or until 1889, when Mr. Kline returned to Allentown, where he immediately opened up in the same branch of business, operating alone until January 1, 1893, when he admitted to partnership his brother-in-law, M. H. Knauss. Mr. Kline is a natural mechanic and manufactures his tools for pattern-making, in which latter branch he is an expert.

April 10, 1888, David R. Kline was united in marriage with Miss Clara M. Knauss, of Allentown. She is the daughter of Ephraim and Mary Knauss. Our subject and his wife are members in good standing of Zion’s Reformed Church. Mr. Kline joined during the ‘60s, while residing in Reading. Socially he is a Mason, belonging to Barger Lodge No. 333, of which he is Chaplain; Allentown Chapter No. 203, Allentown Council No. 23, and Allen Commandery No. 20, K. T. He is a great reader, and has in his home, pleasantly located at No. 727 Walnut Street, a large and well selected library.

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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in the book, Portrait and biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania published in 1894 by Chapman Publishing Company. 

View additional Lehigh County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Lehigh County, Pennsylvania Biographies

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