Johann George Klein

The Elder Georg Klein Association was formed at Reading, Pa., in 1904, for the purpose of raising funds to erect a fitting memorial in honor of the ancestor after whom the association was named, and to properly care for a much neglected private graveyard where Elder Georg Kline, with others, is buried. The second meeting was held in 1906, at West Hamburg.

The officers of the association are:

President, David R. Kline, Allentown, Pa.

Secretary, William B. Kline, Berks, Pa.

Assistant Secretary, A. S. Kline, Upper Bern, Pa.

Treasurer, Newton Kline, Pottstown, Pa.

Executive committee, C. K. Whitner, Reading, Pa.; F. F. Kline, Reading, Pa.; A. K. Kline, Reading, Pa.; Dr. John K. Seaman, Rdg., Pa.; Dr. Warren Kline, Lebanon, Pa.

Improvement Committee: Jerome I. Kline, Reading, Pa.; C. K. Whitner, Reading, Pa.; A. K. Kline, Reading, Pa.; A. S. Kline, Upper Bern, Pa.

Elder Georg Klein was born at Zweibrucken, South Germany, Oct. 9, 1715, immigrated to America in 1738, and located at Amwell, N. J. Becoming acquainted with the Brethren of the Dunkard Church, in 1739 he was baptized in that faith at Amwell, and soon after was chosen an assistant in the ministry. In 1750 he moved to North-kill on the Tulpehocken, in Berks county, and there took charge of "North-kill Meeting House." He is buried in upper Berks. He left a number of children, whose descendants are very numerous.

Transcriber's Note Barbara.

Additional Surnames: REBMAN, STRUPHAVER, BRENEISER, FRANTZ

Elder George Klein and his wife and a few other family members are buried in a cornfield near Bernville, the plot surrounded by a stone enclosure. A monument has been erected, but it has been vandalized. Elder George Klein and Dorothea Rebman had among their children a son, Rev. David Klein. Rev. David Klein married Elizabeth Struphaver, and among their children was a son, Rev. Benjamin Klein. Rev. Benjamin Klein married Anna Elizabeth Breneiser, and among their children was a daughter, Catherine. Catherine Klein married Henry Frantz. Henry and Catherine Klein Frantz are buried in the Frantz private burial ground near Rehrersburg, also surrounded by a stone enclosure.

http://berks.pa-roots.com/books/montgomery/reunion/fr16.html

Mr. Kline is a lineal descendant of the Elder Georg Klein, who was the first ancestor of the family in America, having been born at Zweibrucken, in Rhenish Bavaria, South Germany, October 9, 1715, and emigrated to America in 1738 with 384 other passengers. After landing at Philadelphia, he proceeded to New Jersey, and settled at a place called Amwell, where he soon became acquainted with members of the Dunkard denomination, commonly known as the German Baptist Church. He was baptized in the faith in the year 1739, and having been a man of more than ordinary literary attainments, he was chosen by the brethren as assistant minister.

In 1750, Elder Kline moved to the North-kill on a farm situated within two miles north-west of Bernville, Berks county, where he took charge of a congregation which was called "The Little North-kill Meeting House." After preaching seven years in this meeting house, he was ordained as a full minister by two prominent Elders, Michael Pfautz and Martin Werner. He continued to preach here for twenty years until the congregation became too weak to support him as a minister. He was regarded by this particular denomination as a very influential minister. He was married to Dorothy Rebman, and by her had seven children; and several of the grandsons became worthy elders of the denomination. "After a long and useful career in the ministry, he was gathered home into the garner of the Lord. On a little hillside on his farm, on a family plot, now owned by Percival Troutman, lie buried the remains of our first ancestor, Elder Georg Klein, together with his faithful wife, Dorothy, and many of his descendants - pioneers, evangelists and missionary workers."

The descendants of Elder Kline comprise a large family. A number of them assembled at the residence of Mr. Jerome I. Kline, No. 435 Woodward street, Reading, on May 2, 1904, and organized an association which they named the "Elder Georg Kline Association." Since then a special committee has been tabulating the names of the descendants for the purpose of publishing them in book form for private distribution.

Transcriber's Note: Information on names below may be found in : "Rev. David Klein, Son of Johann Georg Klein of Germany, and His Descendants in Berks County, Pa." compiled by Richard K. Yotter, 1991. In April, 1990, Richard Yotter's address was 521 East Newport Road, Lititz, PA 17543.

Johann Georg Klein and Maria Dorothea Rebman, on p. 14 Rev. David Klein and Anna Elizabeth Breneiser, on p. 16 David Klein and Sarah Beiler, on p. 17 Daniel Klein and Mary Imbody, on p. 17

http://berks.pa-roots.com/books/montgomery/k14.html

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=22263581 Emigrated 9-9-1738 on ship Glasgow from Rotterdam to Philadelphia PA. Settled in Amwell NJ. In 1747 bought land in Bernville, PA.