Marcus C.
L. Kline is one of Allentown's prominent lawyers, who at the Bar
has gained success and won a high reputation for his skill and
ability. He was born in Salisbury Township, Lehigh County, March
26, 1855, and is a son of Edwin and Elemina (Seider) Kline. His
father, Lawrence, was also a native of this county, as were his
parents, Lawrence and Lydia Kline. The family is of German origin,
but was founded in America more than one hundred and fifty years
ago. During a long period its representatives lived in the
Keystone State, and have been prominent in local affairs. The
mother of our subject was also of German lineage.
Marcus
Kline spent his early boyhood days on the old homestead and
attended the district schools of the neighborhood, where he laid
the foundation for a practical education. He then entered
Muhlenberg College, from which he was graduated in the Class of
'74, at the age of nineteen years. With an earnest desire to
follow the legal profession and make the practice of law his life
work, he entered the office of Judge Edwin Albright, with whom he
continued his studies for two years, when, in June, 1876, he was
admitted to the Bar. He at once entered upon practice, and has
since devoted his time and attention to a general law business. He
is an able advocate, who makes a close study of each case on which
his retained as counsel, and therefore, as a result of his
preparation, his arguments are logical and convincing and win him
success.
October 4,
1881, Mr. Kline wedded Miss Clara M. Keller, daughter of Samuel
Keller, of Allentown. By their union have been born two children,
Edwin Keller and Althea Lucile. The family is one well known in
the community.
Socially,
Mr. Kline is connected with Barger Lodge, F. & A. M. In 1877 he
was elected City Solicitor, which position he filled for two
years. In 1880 he was appointed Sheriff's Solicitor by Gov. George
Bower, and filled that position for three years with credit to
himself and satisfaction to his constituents. In 1890 he was again
appointed Sheriff's Solicitor, and continued in that office until
the spring of 1893. In his political affiliations he is a Democrat
and takes a warm interest in the growth and success of his party.
He has frequently served as a delegate to its conventions, and was
an alternate to the National Convention in Chicago which nominated
Grover Cleveland for the presidency. Mr. Kline is widely known,
not only in Lehigh County, but throughout the state, as a lawyer
and politician of prominence. He ha worked his way upward, not
through influence, but by merit and earnest effort, and his record
is one of which he may be justly proud.