From History of Walworth County Wisconsin by Albert Clayton Beckwith, Vol. II, 
Publ. 1912 - Page 959
 
PHILIP KLINE.  Deeds are thoughts crystallized, and according to their 
brilliancy do we judge the worth of a man to the country which produced him, 
and in his works we expect to find the true index to his character.  The study 
of the life of the representative American never fails to offer much of 
pleasing interest and valuable instruction, developing a mastering of 
expedients which has brought about most wonderful results.  The subject of 
this review is a worthy representative of that type of American character and 
of that progressive spirit which promotes public good in advancing individual 
prosperity and conserving popular interests.  Members of the KLINE family have 
long been prominently identified with the affairs of Walworth county, and 
while their endeavors along material lines have brought them success they also 
advanced the general welfare by accelerating industrial activity.
 
Philip KLINE was born August 20, 1856, in Sharon township, this county, and he 
is the son of Christian and Katherine (EBERHRT) KLINE, both natives of 
Germany, the father having emigrated to America in 1850 and settled in Sharon 
township, Walworth county, Wisconsin, where the subject now lives, and here, 
through thrift and economy, he became very comfortable established, first 
buying forty acres, later adding to this until he had one hundred and sixty 
acres.  In 1881 he sold forty acres of the same to John WESTPHAL, and in 1889 
he sold the remaining one hundred and twenty acres to the subject, which he 
still owns.  Christian KLINE was a cooper by trade and he followed the same 
until he came to the United States, but after arriving here he turned his 
attention to farming, which he continued to follow until his death on February 
25, 1900.  His wife preceded him to the grave twelve years, having passed away 
on February 22, 1888.  They were the parents of five children, namely: 
Christina, George, Leopold, Caroline and Philip.  The mother of these children 
was twice married, first to a brother of Christian KLINE, whose first name was 
Nicholas, and two children were born to this first union, Christina and 
Nicholas.
 
Philip KLINE, of this sketch, received his education in the district schools 
and the academy at Sharon.  He has farmed all his life, owning and operating 
successfully one hundred and twenty acres in section 8, Sharon township, which 
he has kept under fine improvements.  He is a director in the North Sharon 
Butter Factory and the Sharon Fire Insurance Company.
 
Politically, Mr. KLINE is a Republican; he belongs to the Modern Woodmen and 
he is a member of the German Evangelical church.  He was township supervisor 
for seven years.
 
Mr. KLINE was married on February 27, 1890, to Christina ENGELHARDT, daughter 
of George and Sophia ENGELHARDT, natives of Germany, who came to the United 
States and settled in Sharon township, about 1850, in the pioneer days and 
here became very comfortably fixed.  The death of Mr. ENGELHARDT occurred on 
November 15, 1910.  His widow survives and is making her home in Sharon, this 
county.  Three children have been born to the subject and wife, namely: Ralph 
E., Earl A. and Viola May, all at home.
 
Submitted by Carol