My Genealogy Hound

REV. JOHN J. KLINE, PH. D., a well known Lutheran clergyman, was born at Rehrersburg, September 17, 1856. At the age of twelve years his parents moved to Lebanon county, Pennsylvania. He is the son of Jacob E. and Cartherine (Zartman) Kline.

Jacob E. Kline (father) was a teacher for twenty years and organist for thirty-five years, being a prominent citizen of that place. Mrs. Kline died first, in November, 1896, aged sixty-nine years, and was buried at Myerstown, Pennsylvania. He survived her four years and died at the age of seventy-six years; he was buried at the same place. He died March 26, 1901. Mr. Kline was a Democrat in politics. He was a school director for many years. He was a member of the Odd Fellows Order early in life. The couple had eleven children, William H., Mary Louisa (deceased); John J., Emma E., (deceased); George C., Henrietta S., Catherine (Mrs. Fry); Sallie J., (Mrs. Potteiger); Thomas C. (deceased); Edward E., Matilda A. (Mrs. Schaeffer).

David and Elizabeth (Yensel) Kline (grandparents) resided in Lebanon county. The great-grandfather was Joseph Kline. The Klines, as the name indicates, are of German origin. The immigrant was George Kline. He was a German Baptist minister, and came to America in 1739. He settled in Amwell, New Jersey, and later in Berks county, Pennsylvania. Jacob and Elizabeth (Hollinger) Zartman (maternal grandparents) resided in Myerstown, Lebanon county. They were Lutherans in religious faith.

Rev. John J. Kline attended neighborhood schools until he was eighteen years of age, when he taught school in Lebanon county for five terms, and at the same time prepared for a course of study at Palatinate College, Myerstown. He attended Muhlenberg College for three years, graduating in June, 1883. He then attended the Lutheran Theological Seminary, at Mount Airy, Philadelphia. He located at Swamp, in New Hanover township, in 1886, where he has since occupied the pulpit. In April, 1903, he moved to Pottstown, and also has charge of Grace Lutheran church. He took a course in the University of Pennsylvania from 1891 to 1894, taking his degree in 1899, at Wooster University, Ohio.

Mr. Kline married, April 26, 1888, Georgie R., daughter of Frederick and Mary (Hill) Brendlinger, of New Hanover, Pennsylvania. His father-in-law was at one time treasurer of Montgomery county. Rev. and Mrs. Kline have had three children, of whom but one is now living, Frances Marion, born November 4, 1891. She is attending public school at present. Rev. Kline is a member of the Pennsylvania Historical Society, of the Pennsylvania German Society, and also of the Historical Society of Montgomery county.