William C. Klein

1860 - 1916  (56 years)

• Name	William C. Klein
  Born	7 Apr 1860	New Albany, Floyd County, Indiana, USA
  Christened	22 Apr 1860	St. Mary's Church, New Albany, Floyd County, Indiana, USA
  Gender	Male
  Died	0Apr 1916	Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, Indiana, USA
  Buried	St. Boniface Cemetery, Fairfield, Tippecanoe County, Indiana, USA   [1]
  Person ID	I97492	Suedpfalz
  Last Modified	22 Aug 2015

  
  

  Family 1	Mary Litch,   b. 1860, Lanesville, Harrison County, Indiana, USA ,   d. 15 Apr 1895, Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, Indiana, USA  (Age 35 years)
  Married	23 May 1882	New Albany, Floyd County, Indiana, USA
  Children	1. William Christopher Klein,   b. 5 Jan 1883, Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, Indiana, USA ,   d. 1 Oct 1958, Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, Indiana, USA  (Age 75 years)   2. Joseph Edward Klein,   b. 4 Oct 1884, Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, Indiana, USA ,   d. 0Jul 1960, Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, Indiana, USA  (Age 75 years)   3. Gertrude Elizabeth Klein,   b. 3 Apr 1887, Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, Indiana, USA ,   d. 13 Aug 1980, California, USA  (Age 93 years)   4. Carl Jacob Klein,   b. 25 Mar 1889, Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, Indiana, USA ,   d. 6 Jul 1948, Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, Indiana, USA  (Age 59 years)   5. Albert Victor Klein,   b. 3 Apr 1891, Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, Indiana, USA ,   d. Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana, USA   6. Clara Marie Klein,   b. 14 Mar 1893, Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, Indiana, USA ,   d. Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, Indiana, USA
  Last Modified	1 May 2018
  Family ID	F43315	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 2	Elizabeth Litch,   b. 0Jul 1863, Lanesville, Harrison County, Indiana, USA ,   d. 4 Aug 1941, Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, Indiana, USA  (Age ~ 78 years)
  Married	27 Oct 1896	Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, Indiana, USA
  Children	1. Anne Marie Klein,   b. 21 Sep 1897, Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, Indiana, USA
  Last Modified	1 May 2018
  Family ID	F43316	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Sources

  [S927] Obituary. OBIT - ...; April 1, 1916 WILLIAM KLEIN IS CLAIMED BY DEATH Pneumonia Calls Business Man, Formerly President of Retail Merchants' Association --- Democratic Leader and Head of Jackson Club --- Had Wide Acquaintance -- Was Active in Promoting Interest of His Home City. --- William Klein, treasurer of the Rapp & Klein Cigar company, and one of the best known business men in Lafayette, died at 9:50 o'clock this morning at St. Elizabeth hospital of pneumonia. He had been troubled with a slight bronchial ailment for the past two years, but it was not until last Monday evening that he was confined to his home. He was seizd with a severe chill and Wednesday pneumonia developed. Yesterday afternoon he was taken to the hospital and early this morning his condition became critical. He rapidly grew weaker until the end came. The death of Mr. Klein was a great shock to his many friends in the city. Started Grocery He wa born in New Albany April 8, 1860 and was educated in the schools of that city. His first employment was in the grocery store conducted by his cousin, Charles Bretis. He came to this city thirty-one years ago and his employment was as a salesman in the John B. Ruger grocery store. Thirty years ago he embarked in the grocery business on South Third street and had as a partner George Hetke. Twenty-eight years ago, Howard Rapp, who died last October, purchased the interest of Mr. Hetke, and the store was for twenty years conducted by Rapp and Klein. Some years later the firm of Rapp and Klein converted to cigars and candy and the business established at Fifth and Main Streets. Mr. Klein has since that time spent all his time in the cigar and tobacco business and through his aggressive methods the firm built up a large wholesale business. Business Success Mr. Klein was at all times active in the the upbuilding of Lafayette and was a loyal citizen. He served as president of the Retail Merchants' association and was one of the organisers of that association. Deceased was possessed of decided business ability and was a skilled salesman. He had a reputation for fair dealings and died rich in the respect of all who kneew him. He was held in high esteem in social life and commercial circles and was a man of genial disposition. He was a great lover of outdoor life and had a beautiful club house out the west side of the Wabash river south of the city. He was also fond of boating and spent much of the summer at the club house, where he entertained many of his friends. Head of Jackson Club Mr. Klein was a lifelong democrat and for many years was a committee-man from the Second ward. He was one of the oranisers of the Jackson club and served as president of that organization. He was active in all the famous banquets given by the Jackson club and was one of the popular members of the club. William Klein was a consident member of St. Boniface church and was also a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters and the T. P. A. He spent considerable of his time visiting the small towns within a radius of fifty miles from this city and had a large acquaintance in several counties adjoining this county. Deceased was greatly devoted to his family and his memory will long be revered by his surviving relatives. Funeral Monday His is survived by a widow and the following children: William C., Joseph E., Carl J., Gertrude E. and Anna, all of this city, and Albert Klein of Fort Wayne. The body was taken to the Roller Harrington parlor to be prepared for burial and will be taken to the family residence, 402 South Fourth street, later. The funeral will be held from St. Boniface church at 9 o'clock Monday morning with internment in St. Boniface cemetery. --------------------------- OBIT - The Tippecanoe County Democrat; April 7, 1916; page 3. DEATH ROLL ... William Klein, treasurer of the Rapp & Klein Cigar Company, and one of the best known citizens of Lafayette, died Saturday morning at St. Elizabeth hospital of pneumonia. He had been troubled with a slight bronchial ailment for the past two years but it was not til the past Monday evening that he was confined to his home. He was seized with a severe chill and Wednesday pneumonia developed. Friday afternoon he was taken to the hospital and early next morning his condition became rapidly worse until the end. Mr. Klein was born in New Albany April 8, 1860, and was educated in the schools of that city. His first employment was in a grocery store conducted by his cousin, Charles Brettz. He came to this city thirty-one years ago and his first employment was as a salesman in the John B. Ruger grocery store. Thirty years ago he embarked in the grocery business on South Third Street and had as a partner George Hettle. Twenty-eight years ago, Edward Rapp, who died last October, purchased the interest of Mr. Hettle and the store was for twenty years conducted by Rapp & Klein. Some years later the firm of Rapp & Klein, dealers in cigars, was organized and the business established at Fifth and Main streets Mr. Klein had since that time spent all his time in the wholesale and retail cigar and tobacco business. Mr. Klein served as president of the Retail Merchant's Association and was one of the organizers of that association. He was held in high esteem in social life and commercial circles and was a man of genial disposition. He was a great lover of outdoor life and had a beautiful club house on the west side of the Wabash river south of the city. He was also fond of boating and spent much of the summer at his club house, where he entertained many of his friends. Mr. Klein was a lifelong Democrat and for many years was a committeeman from the Second ward. He was one of the organizers for the Jackson club and served as president of that organization for two terms holding the office until last January. He was active in all the famous banquets given at the club. He was a member of St. Boniface church and was also a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters and the T.P.A. He spent considerable of his time visiting small towns within a radius of fifty miles from this city and had a large acquaintance in several counties adjoining this. He is survived by a widow and the following children: William C.; Jospeh E.; Carl J.; Gertrude E.; and Anna, all of this city, and Albert Klein, of Fort Wayne. The body was taken to the Soller-Harrington parlors to be prepared for burial, and was then taken to the family residence, 402 South Fourth street. The funeral will be held from St. Boniface church at 9 o'clock Monday morning , with interment in St. Boniface cemetery. ----------------------------- Burial in St. Boniface Cemetery - Section-F, Lot-48, Grave-?.