Benjamin Franklin Kline

Benjamin Franklin Kline was the first born son, and child, of Josiah and Susan Catherine Kline, born August 3, 1869. Born and raised on the family farm located in Wolfsville, Maryland, Benjamin had two older half sisters and six younger siblings. The 1880 Catoctin, Frederick Census indicated that at the age of 11 Benjamin was the older brother to four younger siblings, while indicating that his two half sisters had already left the house. Unfortunately there are very few records of the 1890 census remaining, leaving a gap in information as it was recorded by the Federal Government. However, it can be determined that two more younger siblings were born.

It can be assumed that Benjamin set out at a young age to travel the United States as a missionary. While traveling the United States he met Minnie E. Nofziger of Iowa, whom he then married on February 10, 1892 in Los Angeles, California. Benjamin was 22 years of age and Minnie was 19 years of age. It was not long after their marriage that they welcomed the first of five children, while continuing to minister throughout the United States, before later settling in Pennsylvania. Upon settling in the Hanover area where he took up farming and fruit growing. He spent 26 years ministering in the Church of the Brethren.

Minnie E. Nofziger was born June 16, 1872 in Iowa to Jacob P. Nofziger and Amelia C. Nofziger, both of Ohio. The 1880 US Census shows the family residing in Spring Creek, Harlan, Nebraska. It is undetermined where her family resided in 1890 as there are no records.

Their first born, Minnie Irene Kline, was born December 25, 1893 in Hiawatha, Kansas. They then went on to have Ray Martin Kline in Smithsburg, Maryland on January 15, 1897. Galen Edward Kline followed two years later on January 15, 1899, once again from Smithsburg, Maryland. Four years later Paul R. Kline was bone in Nemaha, Kansas on October 7, 1903. And last but not least, Katherine M. Kline was born on February 22, 1912 in Kansas. From what can be determined from the 1910 Census information Minnie Nofziger Kline did not have any still births or lose any children.

Benjamin Franklin Kline passed away on August 11, 1951 due to acute myocarditis, at the home of his daughter in Hanover, Pennsylvania. He was 82 years old when he passed and was buried at Rest Haven Cemetery in Hanover, PA on the 15th of August, 1951. There were 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren at the time of his passing. Minnie Nofziger Kline passed away on April 3, 1955, at the same age as her her husband upon his passing at 82 years of age. She passed at the home of her daughter, Katherine in Hanover, PA. Minnie was soon laid to rest beside her husband at the Rest Haven Cemetery in Hanover. At the time of her passing she was survived by her five children, 13 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren.