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Jasper County, Iowa
Historical and Genealogical Data Exchange
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Philip Kling It
is always an inspiring thing to learn something of a good man's history.
Life is so checkered and uncertain a thing that when we find an
individual who has at all times been clean and steadfast of purpose, and loyal
and true to the best that was by nature his, it is a pure delight to tell of
him. Such a man is Philip Kling, who resides as a retired farmer in Newton. Philip
Kling was born in Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, January l, 1859 and came with his
father to America in October 1870, settling in St. Clair County, Illinois.
Here the family remained for three months, after which they removed to
Jasper County, Iowa, where they have since remained.
Two hundred acres of land were purchased in Elk Creek Township in Jasper
County, and with this holding they began farming and stock raising.
Mr. Kling's father, John Kling, and his mother, Elizabeth (Rodth) Kling,
were both natives of Germany and were splendid examples of the fine, hardy stock
of that great empire. The father
died in June 1889, at the age of eighty-five, the mother in November 1875 at the
age of fifty-two.
Ten children in all came to America, all of whom are still living and all
of whom own their own homes. Seven
of them, including the subject of this sketch, reside in Jasper County.
They are: Adam J., who resides in Sully, this County, is a retired
farmer; George, residing in Hickman, Nebraska, is a shoe merchant; Catherine
Reinheimer, wife of George Reinheimer, a farmer residing in New Athens,
Illinois; Margaret Hendricks, wife of Fred Hendricks, a farmer residing near
Galesburg, Jasper County; Henry resides in this County, near Kellogg, and is a
prosperous farmer; John, residing in Jasper County, is a farmer; Philip, the
subject of this review, is a retired farmer living in Newton; Mary Sheen, wife
of Daniel Sheen, resides on a farm near Shemington, Wisconsin; William J.
resides on a farm in Jasper County; Frederick, who resides in St. Louis, is
employed in a wholesale house. On
April 4, 1889, Mr. Kling was united in marriage to Lena W. Castrof, a native of
Jasper County. She is the daughter
of Frederick Casfrof, of Jasper County, who was born in Pommern, Germany, March
1, 1846, and Who died in Jasper County, December 13, 1902.
Her mother, Augusta (Andress) Castrof, was a native of the same place.
She came to America when about seven years of age and is still living
near Killduff, Jasper County, making her home with her two sons, Frederick and
Edward Castrof. Mrs.
Kling is one of four living children, namely:
William, the first born, first saw the light August 26, 1870; Margaret
Snell, wife of J. W. Snell, a farmer residing near Killduff, was born March 1,
1872; Frederick Castrof, whose wife was Effie Snell, resides on a farm in Jasper
County. He was born July 14, 1876;
Edward Castrof, unmarried, residing with his brother, was born July 18, 1878. When
Mrs. Kling's parents came here they could not speak a word of English, but two
days after landing at New York began work, and shortly came to Jasper County,
Iowa, in the year 1855. Here her grandfather entered land from the government,
later purchasing more until he owned four hundred acres before he died, this
being the farm upon which Mrs. Kling's mother now lives. Both
Mr. and Mrs. Kling are members of the English Lutheran Church of Newton. Mr.
Kling is also a member of the Masonic fraternity, being a Knight Templar and
Shriner. He is affiliated with the
lodge at Newton. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
Lodge No. 73, at Newton. Mrs. Kling
is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter No. l00, of Newton.
She is also a member of the Daughters of Rebekah lodge at Newton and is a
woman of exceptional culture and refinement. Mr.
Kling owns three hundred and twenty acres, besides his elegant home in the city
of Newton and other interests. Both
he and his wife are affable, kindly people, beloved by the great circle so
fortunate as to call them friends. In
politics Mr. Kling is a Democrat. The Past and Present of Jasper County, Gen. James B. Weaver, Editor-In-Chief, 1912 B.F. Bowen Co., Indianapolis, IN, p. 659. |
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