Biography - JACOB KLEIN

Jacob Klein, local agent for the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Co., was born in the Rhein Pfalz, Germany, on the 22d of June, 1855, and is a son of John and Charlotte (Keck) Klein. His father was a blacksmith by trade, and being a skillful and capable workman met with success in his work. He served through the German war of 1848 and there sustained wounds that eventually caused his death. The mother with her sons and two daughters, Mary and Anna, subsequently emigrated to the United States, locating in the vicinity of Belleville, Illinois. There she later married Julius Reichenstein and removed to Waterloo, Illinois, where her death occurred in 1869.

Jacob Klein, who was a very young lad when he emigrated with his mother and sisters to this country was only fourteen when his remaining parent died. He was self-supporting, however, having begun his wage-earning career some time previously as a farm hand. Later he obtained a clerkship in a store in Belleville, where he remained for two years, then drove a team for a short time. Eventually he returned to farm work, engaging in this work until his marriage, while the succeeding eight years were devoted to various occupations, in mines, breweries and machine shops, his position being changed whenever he found something that promised better remuneration. In 1883 he began driving a wagon for the Western Brewery in Belleville, and two years later the firm offered him the agency for their company at Mount Olive. He readily accepted and immediately came here, where he has ever since resided. Until December, 1891, he represented the Western Brewery, but resigned their agency at that date to take charge of that of the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Co. Mr. Klein has proven to be a very capable salesman and since becoming identified with the latter company has increased their sales here until monthly shipments now amount to five cars.

On the 21st of June, 1875, Mr. Klein was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Rehg, and to them have been born twelve children, ten of whom survive: William, who is with the Klausmann Brewery of St. Louis; Julia, who is at home; Anna, the wife of Henry Longknecht, of St. Louis; Louis, who is living at Staunton; Gunda, who is at home; Tillie, employed in St. Louis; Minnie at home; Walter, who is a bookkeeper in the C. J. Keiser & Co. bank, Mount Olive; and Adelia and Josephine, both of whom are at home.

All of the family affiliate with the Evangelical Lutheran church, while fraternally Mr. Klein is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Acme Lodge, No. 707, of Mount Olive; he is also a member of Mount Olive Lodge, No. 606, K. of P.; the Knights of Honor; and of the Knights and Ladies, Freundschafts Lodge, No. 1215. In addition to these he is affiliated with the Treu Bund, No. 86, of Mount Olive. His political support Mr. Klein accords the democratic party, and has served as a member of the board of supervisors of Mount Olive township, while for six years he was a member of the school board, during two of which he was president of the board. He is one of the enterprising and energetic business men of Mount Olive as well as a prosperous citizen.

Extracted 17 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 531-532.