Person Page - 271

     David S. Klinger was born on 15 May 1827, Dauphin County, PA.^1,2,3,4 He was the son of Alexander Klinger and Elizabeth Schwalm.¹ David S. Klinger was baptized on 27 May 1827, Zion (Klinger's) Lutheran and Reformed Church, Erdman, Dauphin County, PA. The sponsors were "Friderich Schwalm and w. Catharina," the brother and sister-in-law of Elizabeth (Schwalm) Klinger.^5,6 According to some sources, David trained as a millwright, but at the time of the 1850 Census, David was a carpenter living with his older sister Emi and her husband John Reed, in Lykens Township, Dauphin County.⁷ He married Barbara Merkel Wiest, daughter of Johannes Wiest and Catharine Merkel, in 1851.⁸ In 1860, David and Barbara were living in Upper Mahantongo Township, Schuylkill County, where he was a merchant. Their household included their 4 oldest children ("Mele," Barbara, Preston, and John.⁹ By 1870, David and Barbara's family included 8 children (John had died in 1861). David was listed as a farmer.¹⁰ By 1880, their were 8 children in the household, 3 of whom (Barbara, Christine, and Kate) were listed as "servants." Preston was listed as "farm labor."¹¹ By 1900, David was widowed and living in the household of his youngest son, Alexander W. Klinger and his wife Barbara. David was listed as a farmer.¹² In the 1910 Census, David was listed as the head of a household that included his son Alexander's family, including his wife Barbara and three daughters (David's granddaughters). David's occupation was listed as "own income."¹³ David S. Klinger died on 11 February 1916, Mahantongo Township, Schuylkill County, PA, at age 88. The cause of death was apoplexy.^1,14 He was buried on 15 February 1916, at Saint Michael's Lutheran Church Cemetery, Klingerstown, Schuylkill County, PA.^1,15
Newspaper obituary:
David Klinger, father of Calvin Klinger of this place, and the oldest citizen of Klingerstown, where he was born and spent his entire life, died Feb. 11th, 1916, aged 82 years, 8 months and 26 days. Burial took place in the Klingerstown cemetery.
The Standard (Lykens, Pennsylvania), 25 Feb 1916, Fri, Page 1.³
Floyd, Biographical and Genealogical Annals of Northumberland County (1911), states:
"The oldest resident in his section is David S. Klinger, of Klingerstown, who has lived at that place for sixty years and in the neighborhood all his life. . . .
"DAVID S. KLINGER, son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Schwalm) Klinger, was born May 15, 1827. He learned the trade of millwright, and has had a busy and successful career, all of which has been passed in his native locality. In 1851 he settled in Klingerstown, where he has since resided, and he has a comfortable home and many other things which go to make life pleasant. He has accumulated considerable property, having a 150-acre farm in Mahantango township, Schuylkill county, a ten-acre tract in Klingerstown, and a tract of sixteen acres two miles from Klingerstown, in Mahantango township. Though long past the age of eighty Mr. Klinger has an active mind and a clear memory and the family history used in this article was all contributed by him. He and all his family arc of the Reformed faith, Mr. Klinger being a Reformed member of the Union Church at Klingerstown. His father was a Lutheran.
"In 1851 Mr. Klinger married Barbara Wiest, daughter of John and Catharine (Merkel) Wiest and eleven children have been born to them: Preston, Francis, Ottis, Calvin, Alexander, Amelia, Barbara, Catharine, Christian, and two who died young. The family is highly respected, being numbered among the progressive members of the community."^16,17

     Francis Oliver Klinger was born on 16 March 1892.^1,2 He was the son of David Calvin Klinger and Amelia Loretta Klinger. In 1910, Francis was single and living with his parents in living in Upper Mahantongo Township, Schuylkill County, PA. He was working as a carpenter.³ Francis Oliver Klinger married Myrl R. Shultz, daughter of John W. Shultz and Ellen M. (?), between 1910 and 1920.⁴ By 1920, Francis was married to Myrl Shultz and he and his family were living with his in-laws in the East Ward of Lykens, Dauphin County, PA, with a 9 month old daughter Dorothy. Francis worked in a briquette works.⁴ At the time of the 1930 Census, Francis and his family were living in the west ward of Lykens, Dauphin County, where he was a carpenter in a coal mine. His household included his wife, 2 children, and his in-laws.⁵ Francis Oliver Klinger died on 23 February 1972, Lykens, Dauphin County, PA, at age 79.^6,7,8 He was buried on 26 February 1972, at Calvary United Methodist Cemetery, Wiconisco, Dauphin County, PA.^8,9
Newspaper obituary:
Francis O. Klinger, 79, of 309 Main St., Lykens, died Wednesday of last week at his home.
He was a retired employee of PP&L Co. at Martin's Creek, and a member of Lykens United Methodist Church.
He is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Dorothy Law of Camp Hill; a son, John Klinger, at home; four sisters, Mrs. Flora Dunlap of Oaks, Mrs. Grace Lloyd of Pottstown: and Miss Katie Klinger and Mrs. J Vera Schreffler, both of Lykens; three brothers, Carlos Klinger of Lemoyne, and John and Richard Klinger, both of Lykens; a grandchild, and two great-grandchildren.
Services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home at 406 Market St., Lykens. Rev. William M. Stanley will officiate. Burial will be in Wiconisco Cemetery, Wiconisco.
Friends may call at the funeral home Friday after 7 p.m.
The Patriot-News, February 17, 1972, Page 27.¹⁰