Husband Silas A. Kline 1 2 3
Born: 13 Nov 1844 - Bouquet, Westmoreland Co, PA 1 3
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Father: Lewis Kline ( -1892) 1 4 5
Mother: Catharine Cort (1820-1887) 4 6 7
Marriage: 21 Jan 1875 8 9
Wife Elizabeth Baer 8 9 10
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Father: Adam Baer ( - ) 8
Mother: Mary Rumbaugh ( - ) 10
Children
1 M Wade Turney Kline 8 9 10
Born: 1 Apr 1877 8 9
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Spouse: Jennie Sweeny ( - ) 10
2 M George Plummer Kline 9 10 11
Born: 29 Jun 1878 9 11
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Spouse: Edna Moore ( - ) 9 10
3 F Bessie M. Kline 9 10 11
Born: 8 Dec 1880 9 11
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Spouse: Archie C. Furtwangler ( - ) 9 10
General Notes: Husband - Silas A. Kline
He received his early education in the common schools but is one who might justly be accorded the honor of being a self-made man. At eighteen years of age he started out in life for himself, and by dint of hard manual labor, drilling of oil wells, etc., in the northwestern part of the State, and by teaching school he saved enough money to secure an academic education. In 1869 he entered the law office of Hon. Jac. Turney, at Greensburg, Pennsylvania, as a student, and was admitted to the bar in May, 1871. In 1872 he was associate editor and proprietor with W. J. K. Kline, of the Westmoreland Democrat, in which position he showed remarkable aptitude for journalism. In 1873 he was appointed deputy sheriff under Alex. Kilgore, Esq., serving in that capacity until January 1, 1875, after which time he engaged in the active practice of law. In 1877 he was elected district attorney of Westmoreland county and served in that office two terms with marked distinction, his term expiring January 1, 1884. He had an extensive and lucrative practice and took part in many of the important cases tried in the county, always with credit. He was invariably found on the side of the oppressed and always the ready and able champion of the laboring man. He was favorably spoken of for Congress in 1886.
He became a member of Centennial Lodge, No. 100, A. O. U. W., in 1876, having joined as a charter member and took an active part, serving in every capacity as an officer of his subordinate lodge. In 1879 he became a member of the Grand Lodge and served on many important committees. In 1884 he was elected Grand Overseer, 1885 Grand Foreman, and in 1886 Grand Master Workmen of the jurisdiction of Pennsylvania. In 1888 he was elected Supreme Representative and represented his jurisdiction at the session of the Supreme Lodge at Omaha. He is a member of the Knights of Honor and represents his lodge in the Grand Body. He is also a member of the Royal Arcanum. He joined the I. O. H. in 1888, is a charter member of Greensburg Conclave, No. 174, faithfully and earnestly represented his conclave at the sessions of the Supreme Conclave, held in Richmond VA, in April, 1889, and is District Supreme Representative for his district, No. 7. In religious faith he adheres to the doctrines of the Reformed church, having united with that denomination in early life at the old Manor church. In 1878 he transferred his membership to the First Reformed church of Greensburg. In 1881 he was elected by that congregation as one of the building committee; during the continuance of that committee he acted in a dual capacity as secretary and treasurer. On account of his many years of political experience and special qualifications as a supervisor and manager, he was selected in July, 1889, as chairman of the Westmoreland democratic county committee. The party under his management and direction achieved a signal victory, electing the entire ticket by an unusually large majority, including the judge, the first democrat elected to the bench in the county for forty years. [HBCWC 1890, 115]
He obtained his early education in the public schools, adding much to his mental equipment by self study. He remained at home, his father's assistant, until the age of eighteen, then started out for himself. Between the ages of eighteen and twenty- five he labored in the oil region, engaged in hard manual labor, and so kept up his study that he was employed as a teacher during the winter months. The money earned was carefully saved and later employed in financing an academy course. In 1869 he began the carrying out of a long cherished ambition by beginning law study in the office and under the direction of Jacob Turney, a Congressman and an eminent lawyer of Greensburg, Pennsylvania. He prosecuted his legal study with vigor, and at the May term, 1871, passed the required tests and was admitted to practice at the Westmoreland bar. From that time he was an active member of that bar, making few digressions from the profession. In 1872 he was associate editor of the Westmoreland "Democrat" and demonstrated that had the law not claimed him journalism would have gained a shining light. He was deputy sheriff under Alexander Kilgore, 1873-January 1, 1875, then for two years confined himself to the exclusive practice of his profession. In 1877 he was elected district attorney for Westmoreland County, serving until January 1, 1884, having once been reelected. On the expiration of his second term, he retired to private practice, appearing in all State and Federal courts of the district.
A Democrat in politics, Mr. Kline from early manhood took a deep interest in party affairs and became one of the leaders of the democracy in the county. He was twice elected district attorney, and in July, 1889, was chosen chairman of the Democratic County Committee. Under his management the party won a signal victory that year, electing their entire ticket by a large majority, including the judge, the first Democrat elected to the bench in Westmoreland County for forty years.
Mr. Kline was a charter member of Centennial Lodge, Ancient Order of United Workmen, organized in 1876, and held every office in the lodge. In 1879 he was a member of the Pennsylvania Grand Lodge of the order; was elected grand overseer in 1884; grand foreman in 1885; grand master workman in 1886; supreme representative in 1888, representing Pennsylvania in the Supreme Lodge held at Omaha, Nebraska, and continuously for six years thereafter, of their various sessions, serving on numerous committees. He was also a member of the Pennsylvania Grand Lodge, Knights of Honor; charter member of Greensburg Conclave, Independent Order of Heptasophs, represented his Conclave at the Supreme Conclave held in Richmond, Virginia, in April, 1889, and was district supreme representative for his District No. 7.
In early life he became a member of the German Reformed church at Manor, but in 1878 joined the First Reformed Church of Greensburg, of which he was a strong pillar of support. In 1881 he was elected a member of the committee in charge of the erection of a new church, also acted as secretary and treasurer of that committee. He took an active part in Sabbath school work and was teacher of one of the largest classes in western Pennsylvania.