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to the cause, these brilliant achievements being gained only through the hardest of hard work. Founding four congregations; organizing a dozen branches of different benevolent organizations; four new rectories, one model school and five church structures certainly constitutes a record of unusual attainments in the annals of missionary work. Father Klein is a man of talent and learning, and an enthusiast in all he undertakes.
He has served as Vicar General under three bishops, Administrator Apostolic of the Lincoln Diocese during vacancies in 1911 and 1917, chairman of the diocesan school board, examiner of the junior clergy, diocesan consultor and pro-synodical examiner. In 1918 he was named domestic prelate to the Holy See with the title of Monsignor, by Pope Pius X; was made honorary canon of the collegiate chapter of St. Maurice in Kromeriz, Moravia, by Archbishop Anton C. Stojan of Olomouc, in 1922, and in 1929, was made Protonotary Apostolic by Pope Plus XI, with the right of the Pontificals, being the first priest in the Diocese of Lincoln to be so honored.
Monsignor Klein is the author of numerous poems appearing in Bohemian periodicals and magazines, articles in both Bohemian and English on agricultural subjects, besides various translations of German and English into Bohemian. His linguistic acquirements and edifying zeal make him an efficient worker in the missionary field. In his younger days he often preached in three languages, English, Bohemian and German on the same day.
Although a busy clergyman, he nevertheless finds time for the Muses. Through poetic and prose contributions he is well and favorably known in the literary circles of America and Czechoslovakia. A collection of Bohemian poems From the Domain of the Prairie (Zoblastiprerijnieh) is now ready for publication. He has translated Washington Irvings Alhambre and Charles Lamb's Five Tales from Shakespeare, besides Dr. Carl May's In The Pacific Ocean (from the German) into Bohemian.
From time to time he contributes various articles to Vcelarske Rozhledy, which is published monthly at Prague, Czechoslovakia. He was a contributor to Ottuv Slovnik Naucny (Otto's Encyclopedia) which is a monumental Bohemian educational work of twenty-eight volumes.
Father Klein, however, has not limited his activities to his mother tongue. He has contributed several English treatises on agricultural subjects, having gained distinction as an authority among bee keeping fraternities. These have appeared in the Rural Bee Keeper, Bee Keeper's Review, The American Bee Journal, and in the annual reports of the Nebraska State Board of Agriculture for 1911-1913. To him bee culture is an ideal recreation, and since 1911, he has served three terms as president of the former Nebraska State Beekeepers' Association.
Monsignor has a notable record of patriotic, educational and civic services. He was active during the World War. It has been his constant aim to inspire his compatriots, and to urge them to become American citizens, and to master the English language. But he also advises them to study that which is best in the mother tongue--the traditions and memories of their forefathers--and the history of their forebears. It was with glowing ardor that he furthered the Czechoslovak cause during the war. During the years 1918 and 1919, he was director of the Brainard chapter of the American Red Cross, and during 1919-20, was a member of the Nebraska State Directorate of the Junior Red Cross Peace Program. In former years he was a regular speaker on patriotic and civic celebrations. In addition to the diocesan offices mentioned he is, at the present time, Vicar General Emeritus of the Diocese of Lincoln, and a member of the administrative board of St. Thomas' Orphanage at Lincoln. He is a member of the Catholic Workmen, the Nebraska State Historical Association, the Nebraskana Society, and the Knights of Columbus. His hobbies are agriculture and botany. Residence: Brainard. (Photograph on Page 663).
W. C. Klein
Wilhelm Carl Klein, prominent hardware merchant in Seward County for many years, was born at Milford. He is the son of Wilhelm Ludwig and Mary Josephine (Byrnes) Klein, the former a farmer, born in Germany. He came to Pennsylvania in 1868 and to Milford, in 1869, where he farmed until his retirement about 1900. In 1914, he removed to Milford, where he died on November 7, 1922. Mary Josephine Byrnes was born in Ireland, February 12, 1834, and died at Milford April 14, 1914. An ideal homemaker, she served her family in many capacities, and was active in the work of her church.
Mr. Klein received his education in a rural school and later attended Milford High School. In 1898 he entered the hardware business and shortly after added an implement department. In 1905 he purchased the local drug store and in association with Mrs. Klein engaged in the drug business until 1909. However, he still managed his hardware and implement business independently from 1898-1924, at which time he retired and disposed of his interests. Since then he has devoted his time to his land and city properties.
A Democrat, Mr. Klein served as precinct treasurer during 1900, member of the town board 1900, member of the cemetery board 1927 to date, and its president and vice president in both 1930 and 1931. He has been secretary of the Farmers Mutual Telephone Company since 1930, and for ten years was treasurer of the Nebraska Retail Hardware Association, of which he is an honorary member.
Mr. Klein was delegate to the National Hardware Convention in Denver, in 1910; to the Detroit convention in 1912, and again received the honor of being delegate to the convention in Boston, in 1916.
He is a Scottish Rite Mason and member of Sesostris Temple of Lincoln. Mr. Klein is a member of the Eastern Star, and is also affiliated with the Lutheran Church. He enjoys reading, history, travel and camping. On February 12, 1899, he was united in marriage to Meta Semler at Dorchester. Mrs. Klein, who was born at Sheboygan, Wisconsin, has always been associated with her husband in his business. She is the daughter of Erich Semler, a native of Hanover, Germany. He and his four brothers were clergymen. Erich Semler was educated for the ministry, but became an accountant and business man.
Mr. and Mrs. Klein have the following children: Clarence, born August 1, 1900, who, died January 30, 1901; Lawrence, born August 1, 1900, who died February 1, 1901; Norma Louise, born February 24, 1910, and Maurice Eugene, born April 1, 1919.
Norma Louise attended the public school at Milford, and graduated from the Milford High School in 1926. Thereafter she entered the University of Nebraska, from which she was graduated in June, 1931. While at the university she was extremely active in all student affairs. She served as president of Delta Zeta, was secretary and treasurer of the Art Club, was made a member of the senior commissioners and the League of Women Voters, and is now vice president of the alumnae association of her high school graduating class. Residence: Milford. (Photograph in Album).
Ignatius Klima, Jr.
Born in Valley County, Nebraska, November 28, 1892, Ignatius Klima, Jr., is the son of Ignatius and Mary (Vodehnal) Klima. The father was born near Zahratka, Czechoslovakia, July 21, 1869, and came to America at the age of four. He was a farmer and pure-bred stock raiser until his death at his home in Valley County, January 1, 1923. His wife, born near Litomist, Czechoslovakia, May 2, 1872, resides at Ord. His mother came to this country at the age of four.
Ignatius Klima, Jr., attended public school and in
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1912 was graduated from a two year commercial course in the St. Paul Business College. From May, 1913, until April, 1917, he was with the Fenner Abstract Company of Burwell, and from that time until July, 1918, was in the real estate business, loan and insurance business for himself in Morrill, Nebraska. From August 5, 1918, until March 30, 1919, he was in military service as a corporal in the Quartermaster Corps.
On April 1, 1919, Mr. Klima became assistant cashier of the Farmers Bank of Burwell, continuing in that capacity until January 1, 1920, when he became secretary and director of the First Trust Company of Ord. A Democrat, he was elected county clerk and register of deeds for Valley County for a four year term beginning January 1, 1927, and was re-elected in 1930 for a second term.
On November 17, 1919, he was married to Rebecca Lovina Williams at Burwell. Mrs. Klima, who is of Welsh, French Canadian and Pennsylvania Dutch descent, was born in Wales, Iowa, September 5, 1896. They have two children, Robert L., born February 7, 1923; and Doris L., born August 15, 1925,
Mr. Klima is affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church of Ord. He is a member of the American Legion, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Nebraskana Society, and is a 32nd degree Mason. He enjoys reading, fishing, hiking, and camping, while his hobby is honey bees and their culture. Residence: Ord.
Joseph J. Klima
Joseph J. Klima was born at Milligan, Nebraska, December 27, 1895, the son of Joseph and Josephine (Soufl) Klima. His father was born at Trtice, Czechoslovakia in 1853, and died at Millignn, November 22, 1897. His mother was born at Vejvanov, Czechoslovakia, July 13, 1863.
Mr. Klima attended the public schools of Milligan where he was graduated in 1913, was graduated from Peru State Teachers College in 1915, and attended the University of Nebraska during the summer months of 1916 and 1917. He served as president of the senior class in high school, was president of the Philomathean Society at Peru, and was a member of Phi Delta Kappa.
He was superintendent of schools at Bristow, Shelby, and Hildreth, Nebraska until 1919 when he became cashier of the Farmers & Merchants Bank at Milligan. He is now director and treasurer of the Milligan Auditorium Corporation. During the World War Mr. Klima served as apprentice seaman in the United States Navy, later being advanced to second class yeoman. He is a member of the American Legion.
Mr. Klima has been secretary of the Chamber of Commerce since 1924 and secretary of the Fillmore County Bankers Association since 1926. He is a member of the Bankers Association, the Nebraskana Society, and the Western Bohemian Fraternal Association of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Since 1924 he has been secretary of the Mulligan School Board. He is a Mason.
On June 2, 1921, he married Ada Stech at Omaha, Nebraska. Mrs. Klima, whose parents were natives of Czechoslovakia, was born at Milligan, February 9, 1898. Mr. Klima's chief recreations are golfing and swimming. He is a Democrat. Residence: Milligan.
George Washington Kline
George W. Kline, editor and author, was born at Jamesport, Davis County, Missouri, March 17, 1875, the son of Harmon and Mary Anna (Hevers) Kline. His father, who was a farmer, was born at Bloomsburg, Columbia County, Pennsylvania, December 24, 1830; a pioneer in Henry County, Ohio, he came to Nuckolls County, Nebraska, in 1884. He was a soldier in the Civil War, serving in Company B, 110th Pennsylvania Volunteers. His ancestry was Pennsylvania Dutch.
His mother, a pioneer homemaker and the mother of eight children, was born at Briara, Sligo, Ireland, August 25, 1834, and died at Edgar, Clay County, Nebraska, January 15, 1915.
Mr. Kline attended the country schools of Nuckolls County, but had no opportunity to attend high school. He was later a student at the University of Nebraska where he was graduated with the degree A. B., in 1910. He was a member of the English Club, at the University of Nebraska; was editor of the senior class book; and was chairman of the loan committee of the class of 1900. He served as secretary of the alumni association, 1911-13. He was a member of Pershing Rifles while in school there.
He was editor of the Lincoln Star, 1902-11; was editor of the Alumni Journal, 1911-13; he was publicity director for the State Board of Agriculture, and established Nebraska, the state official organ 1913-16; was editor of the Nebraska Highway Bulletin; and held various positions as a reporter. From 1913 to 1919 he was connected with the Lincoln Typesetting Company, and since 1919 he has been president and manager of the Kline Publishing Company.
Mr. Kline is the author of many short stories, features and essays. He is the author of biographies of Manoah B. Reese, W. B. Rose, Norris Brown, and other notables. Perhaps his most notable contribution to the literary world is Bryan the Man, published in 1908.
He has never aspired to public office, but has supported many other candidates. He proposed G. L. Sheldon for governor, and Norris for United States senator. He advocated the railway commission and the constitutional convention. In 1916 he served as assistant to the Republican State Committee. He has lived in Nebraska for 47 years and has been active in Nebraska's business, civic, and political affairs.
He was married to Orma Lulu Hull at Lincoln, Nebraska, August 12, 1902. Mrs. Kline, who is an editor and writer, is active in club work and social affairs in Lincoln. She is state chairman of the publicity department of the Daughters of the American Revolution for Nebraska, She was born at Humboldt, Nebraska, August 26, 1878, and is a descendant of the Rev. Joseph Hull of colonial fame. Joseph Hull was born in 1594, and in 1635 brought a colony to America. He was a minister at Weymouth, Hingham, and Barnstable, Massachusetts; he was an Oxford graduate. He died in 1665.
The Klines have a daughter, Dorothy Power, born July 21, 1915, who was the winner of the Native Sons and Daughters essay prize, January 5, 1931; also state winner in the essay competition of the National High School Awards for 1931.
During the World War Mr. Kline was a member of the American Protective Association. He is a member of the Nebraska Writers Guild; the Layman's Club; the State Historical Society; and the Nebraskana Society. He is secretary of the Popular Government League. He is a Mason (Liberty Lodge Number 300). His sports are fishing and boating. His hobby is promotion of interest in national parks. He assisted Enos Mills in the creation of Rocky Mountain Natural Park, and he is now compiling Nebraska political history from 1900-1930, and advocating parks and recreation centres in Nebraska. Residence: Lincoln. (Photograph on Page 665).
John Blaine Kline
John Blaine Kline, son of Isaiah and Libbie (Smith) Kline, was born at Bolivar, Ohio, December 29, 1876. His paternal ancestors in America settled first in Pennsylvania, and his grandfather migrated to Ohio, in 1807. His father was born at Coshocton, April 4, 1845, and is engaged in farming there. His mother, born in 1844, died in 1885.
Upon the completion of his preparatory work at Scio College, Ohio, Mr. Kline attended Wooster College, from
