This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list.
Author: slguthier
Surnames: Kline, Klein, May, McClain
Classification: queries
Message Board URL:
http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.indiana.counties...
Message Board Post:
My name is Steve Guthier and I am trying to gather additional information on my 2nd Great
Grandfather and Grandmother Peter (1831-1912) and Elizabeth (1834-1911) Kline. They moved
to Warren Township, Huntington County probably in the mid-1850s, probably married in St.
Peter's and Paul's Catholic Church. farmed and lived there until their deaths, and
are buried in Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Huntington along with many of my Guthier and Kline
ancestors. Peter was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, immigrated to the U.S. in 1839
with his family who settled in Portage County, OH. His wife Elizabeth was born in Ohio,
probably Portage County. I have found a lot of information through
Ancestry.com
historical records on Peter, Elizabeth and their children but have been unable to resolve
the question of Elizabeth Kline's maiden name.
Several trees have identified her as Elizabeth McClain but without sources. Those that
identify the birthplaces of Elizabeth McClain's father and mother give NJ and OH. The
birthplace of both Elizabeth Kline's parents is identified as Germany in the 1880,
1900 and 1910 censuses. The McClain's resided in Clermont County, OH rather than
Portage County. I can find no record of Peter Kline in Clermont County. In any case given
his documented roots, I would have expected him to marry a woman of German ancestry
probably from Portage County where most of his family remained until their deaths. If
there is documentary evidence for Elizabeth McClain as his wife, could you please provide
it? Otherwise I think she is an unlikely candidate for Peter Kline's Elizabeth.
I have circumstantial evidence pointing to Elizabeth May, daughter of George and Elizabeth
Guthier May, both born in Hesse-Darmstadt and immigrated to Portage County in the early
1830s where Elizabeth was born c. 1834. Elizabeth's sister Margaret May married Peter
Kline's brother John in 1847, lived in Portage County and are buried there with
Peter's parents and other brothers. In addition George May was on the same ship that
brought the Kline family to the U.S. in 1839; George was returning to the U.S. apparently
accompanied by his widowed mother. Again the case for Elizabeth May is decidedly
circumstantial. I am hoping that church records in Huntington or perhaps an entry in a
late 19th/early 20th century historical atlas of Huntington County can definitively
identify Elizabeth Kline's maiden name. Any other information from these sources on
Peter and Elizabeth would also be welcomed. Thank you in advance for your help.
My research to date is attached to the Guthier Family Tree on
Ancestry.com.
Important Note:
The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply
to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.