Daniel Klein

Daniel Klein. Among the attractive estates of Monroe County there is one comprising one hundred and three acres of land in township 1 south, ranges 9 and 10 west, to which the eye of the passer-by returns again and again. Everything about the place bears an air of neatness and order, while a complete line of excellent buildings and well kept fences adds to the pleasing prospect afforded by well cultivated fields. This place was formerly owned and occupied by the gentleman whose name initiates this sketch, and who held high rank among agriculturists.

The subject of this sketch was a native of Rhenish Bavaria, Germany, where he was born December 1, 1828. His father, Daniel, and his mother, Elizabeth (Teiss) Klein, were farmers in their native country, and emigrated to America in 1841, making their way to St. Louis. In October of the same year, however, they located in Monroe County, on the farm which our subject afterward owned. The father first purchased sixty-three acres, and later added forty more, making a total of one hundred and three acres. Daniel Klein, Sr., was one of the organizers and builders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Columbia, and was a worthy Trustee at the time of its erection. He was called to the land of rest in 1845, his good wife surviving him ten years.

The paternal grandfather of our subject, Adam Klein, was a stone-mason by trade, but also followed the occupation of a farmer in Germany, where he died. He was the father of three children, Catherine, Daniel, and Adam, and was also connected with the Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Mr. Klein was one in a family of six children born to his parents, two of who died when young. Those living are, Elizabeth, who is the wife of William Hoffman; Catherine, who married Jacob Young, and Margaret, who is the wife of Henry Huch. The early education of our subject was obtained both in the Old Country and in Monroe County, and he early in life began to assist in the duties on the farm, becoming thoroughly familiar with all its details. He remained with his parents until the age of twenty-six, when he was married to Julia Kern, a daughter of Elizabeth Kern, a daughter of Theobold and Elizabeth Kern. The lady was born in the Fatherland, and came to the United States alone when nineteen years of age, here meeting her brother and sister, who had preceded her. She bore her husband eleven children, three of whom are deceased: Elizabeth, who married John Reger, and died leaving two children, Henry (deceased) and William; Caroline: Catherine, deceased; Louis, who died when seven months old; Emma, the wife of Henry Kreckel; Henry, a resident of Columbia; Lewis, who makes his home in St. Louis; Charles, a resident of Chicago; William, Who is at home; Gus, who is in St. Louis; and Ida, who is at home. They were all educated in the Columbia schools and are well fitted for the battles of life.

Mr. Klein was a stalward Republican in his political views, and with his worthy wife was a valued member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church at Columbia. At the death of hi father our subject inherited the home estate, and was considered one of the thrifty and energetic agriculturists of the county at the time if his death, January 19, 1894.