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KLINE FAMILY
WAR RECORD
Noble Service of Union
County Boys.
SEVEN BROTHERS
FIGHT SIDE BY SIDE.
Five Return From the War
Wounded, Two Die
in the Service.
By the death of Mr. George Kline, of Forest Hill, on Sept. 22, the history of a remarkable family is brought before our minds. Lewisburg holds the distinction of having as a resident the youngest of the seven brothers of the Kline family, who fought in the Civil War. Mr. Reuben Kline is one of the fourteen children of Jacob and Mary Kline, and about this family is woven a wonderful bit of history.
The father of this remarkable family died, a happy man, at the age of 63 years and six months. Pround was he to have raised for service in the army seven stalwart sons, five of whom he saw return from the bloody war.
The members of the family according to their age folow: Daniel, the oldest son, served in the army until the close of the war. After him came John, who served under Capt. John A. Owens, Company E. 142 Regiment Penna. V., the only one that failed to return from the war alive. He was killed in the battle of the Wilderness, and it is supposed that his body was burned by the terrible fire that raged through the forest. [--Missing Line--] ... Forest Hill, on Sept 22. George was not more fortunate than the others for he was wounded by being shot through both thighs. Joel, the forth of the number, was a hero, for it was while attending his wounded brother Reuben that he was shot in the leg. It seemed almost an act of providence that it happened this, for had it missed doubtless it would have killed his brother, who was lying close by him. Charles is living to-day at Forest Hill and he too carries the scar of battle, a wound in the leg received while defending his country's flag at the battle of the Wilderness. Jacob L. died from illness at Annapolis. The remains were interred at Forest Hill.
Mr. Reuben Kline, the youngest of the famous seven, is a citizen of Lewisburg. To-day he is an active man for his age. He, too, was forced to suffer for the glory he gained in battle, for he walks on a wooden leg. His services for his country were of no little significance. He took part in four battles. Wildernes, Spottsylvannia, North Anna and Cold Harbor. Near the close of the war Mr. Kline was taken to the hospital at Washinton at [sic] later to the Soldier's Home at Philadelphia.
Mr. Kline's private life is another chapter of service. Politically he was very influential in Union County, and has held the offices of Register and Recorder for fifteen years and Commissioners' Clerk for six years.
Remarkable it is that out of nine brothers, six should enlist in the same company. Wonderful it seems that five of these should return at the end of the war with the same company -- Co. E. 51st P. V. I. |
