Eva Bierle1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18

F, b. 21 July 1893, d. 11 January 1967
FatherAdam Bierle1,4 b. 12 Oct 1861
MotherKatharina Bierle1,19 b. 22 Sep 1862
Charts
Pedigree Chart of Michael Peter Klein
Eva Bierle, 1945
     Eva Bierle, daughter of Adam Bierle and Katharina Bierle, was born on 21 July 1893 at Ečka (Deutsch-Etschka), Zrenjanin, Vojvodina, Hungary (Serbia).1,8,7,13,12,20,4,15 She was baptized on 23 July 1893 at Zrenjanin (Betschkerek). Her godparents were Jakab Lape, farmer, and Eva Hübsch. Eva received an 8th grade education in E?ka.1 She married George Peter Klein, son of Peter Klein and Elisabeth Tibold, on 2 June 1912 at Ečka (Deutsch-Etschka), Zrenjanin, Vojvodina.7,13,12,9,10,11,2,4

In 1914, two years after her husband George emigrated, Eva followed him to America with their one-year-old daughter, Katharina. They departed on the SS Imperator from Hamburg, Germany on 25 Jun 1913 to New York City, New York. Eva's sister, Theresa, had already emigrated some months before George. Their other two sisters also had left Austro-Hungary, but elected to remain in Germany. Possibly the sisters had made their way from Austro-Hungary to Germany together.

When the 919 foot long, 52,117-ton steamship S.S. Imperator was launched, it was the largest steamship in the world, larger than the S.S. Titanic. Having learned from the disastrous voyage and sinking of the Titanic, a second "skin" was constructed 5 feet inside the hull of the Imperator, and the ship was outfitted with watertight bulkheads with watertight doors. Its maiden voyage was on 10 Jun 1913.

Eva was on the 5th voyage made by this huge ship. It is possible that Eva took advantage of the deal the Hamburg Amerika Line offered to those who had booked steerage for lodging, food, and medical care at the price of $10. Also provided in this offer were transportation from the railway to the lodging and then to the port, and even a bon voyage party on the last night before sailing.

Eva and Katharina set sail from Hamburg on 17 June 1914. Steerage, even in 1914 and on this elegant ship, was still not luxurious accommodation, but would probably have been vastly superior to the accommodations her husband, George, endured on his crossing on the S.S. Neckar in 1913, which was used primarily as an immigrant ship. Steerage on the Imperator was located at the very front of the ship from D deck to J Deck. The 1772 passengers in steerage had their promenade area on D deck, a lounge on E deck, and even a hospital on F deck. E deck also contained a bathing and laundry area. The dining room was on F deck. Meals were usually soup or stew, which Eva would have eaten while sitting on a bench at a long plank table, while first class passengers Theodore Roosevelt and Harry Houdini, and their wives, who were also aboard, dined in the elegant private dining room.

The ship carrying Eva and daughter Katharina stopped at Cuxhaven, Southampton, and Cherbourg before docking in New York City on 25 June 1914, just 3 days before the assassination of Franz Ferdinand, Archduke of Austro-Hungary by the Serbs, the incident that started World War I. The Imperator made its last voyage across the ocean to New York on 8 July 1914. After the return voyage to Hamburg, the Imperator was docked in camouflage near Hamburg for the duration of the war.21,17,16,22,23,5,7

Over the years, George and Eva moved several times with their family. For a while she worked as a laundress to help make ends meet, but mostly she was a loving mother to her five children and grandmother to numerous grandchildren.9

Eva submitted her Petition for Naturalization on 26 June 19407, and was naturalized on 8 November 1940 at Chicago.8,6

The 23rd May 1956 was a dark day. George had been sick for some time. Eva, looking for her husband, went into the garage where she suffered a devastating shock. George had hung himself. Eva was left as a widow at the age of 62 years.24,25,26

Later, Eva resided at 2121 W. Warner Street, a house which she reportedly owned.14,15

Some time after suffering a stroke,Eva died of bronchopneumonia and diabetes mellitus on 11 January 1967 at Elgin State Hospital, Elgin, Kane County, Illinois, at age 73 years, 5 months and 21 days. The funeral service was held at St. Benedict Parish Church on 2215 W Irving Park Road.14,27,15 Eva was buried on 14 January 1967 at St. Joseph Cemetery, River Grove in Lot # 253, Grave # 2, Section # JJ.14,15,18
George Klein and Eva Klein, nee Bierle grave marker in St. Joseph Cemetery, River Grove, Illinois
Photograph by Karen Zander

Family: George Peter Klein b. 8 Oct 1888, d. 23 May 1956

Citations

  1. [S2973] Evangelische Kirche Zrenjanin - Taufregister 1865-1906, AZ2 Ev.3 MKR Pg. 100, Sg. 20. - Eva Berle - 21./23. Jul. 1893
    Legitimate daughter of Adam Berle, day laborer, and Katalin Berle, Ev. from N. Ecska (Nemet Ecska)
    Godparents: Jakab Lape, farmer, and Eva Hübsch
    Midwife: Katalin Lape
    Baptizer: Ev. pastor Nandor Jeszenszky.
  2. [S614] Katholisches Kirchenbuch Knicanin, Band Bs3, 1908-1938, Seite 70, Nr. 48, 2/3 Jun 1913, Katalin Klein
    Eltern: Gyorgy Klein von Knicanin und Eva Berle von Ecska
    Wohnung: 228
    Paten: Michely(?) Hartfeld und Katalin Klein.
  3. [S1439] Find A Grave, online http://www.findagrave.com
  4. [S2274] Eva Klein, SS Imperator Ship Passenger Manifest, 25 Jun 1914, Line 22, Eva Klein, 21 years
    Line 23, Katalin Klein, 11 months, Roll 2338.
  5. [S2227] Illinois, Northern District Petitions for Naturalization, 1906-1994, Eva Klein, Certificate of Arrival #11-240731.
  6. [S2227] Illinois, Northern District Petitions for Naturalization, 1906-1994, Eva Klein, Oath of Allegiance, Petition granted: Line No. 20 of List No. 3949 and Certificate No. 4950326.
  7. [S2227] Illinois, Northern District Petitions for Naturalization, 1906-1994, Eva Klein, Petition for Naturalization certificate # P 203724.
  8. [S2213] Soundex Index to Naturalization Petitions, online www.familysearch.org. Eva Klein, K450, certificate # P 203724 cn. 4950326.
  9. [S2230] 1920 Cook County, Illinois Federal Population Schedule, George Klein household, 1453 Larabee Street, Chicago Ward 22, Cook (Chicago), Illinois; dwelling 180, Family 276, Roll: T625_332; Enumeration District: 1220; Page: 12A; Line 28.
  10. [S1330] 1930 Cook County, Illinois Federal Population Schedule, George Klein household, 1018 Center Street, 44th Ward, Block 175, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois; Enumeration District: 2848; Supervisor's District 5th; Dwelling 56; Family 166: Roll: 485; Page: 10B; Sheet 10B; Line 69.
  11. [S2232] 1940 Cook County, Illinois Federal Population Schedule, George Klein household, 1018 West Armitage Avenue, 44th Ward, Block 16, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois; Enumeration District: 103-2844; Supervisor's District 30; Household 204; Roll: T627_1010; Sheet 10B; Line 33.
  12. [S2227] Illinois, Northern District Petitions for Naturalization, 1906-1994, George Klein, Petition for Naturalization certificate # P 171338.
  13. [S2227] Illinois, Northern District Petitions for Naturalization, 1906-1994, George Klein, Declaration of Intention # No. 106249/11-134964.
  14. [S2388] Eva Klein, Medical Certificate of Death.
  15. [S2393] Hollerbach Funeral Home (Chicago, Illinois), "Ledger, 1967". Privately held by Karen Zander, address for private use.
  16. [S2395] The Ultimate Imperator, online http://www.freewebs.com/ultimateimperator/welcome.htm
  17. [S2394] William H., Jr. Miller, The Fabulous Interiors of the Great Ocean Liners in Historic Photographs.
  18. [S2570] Illinois, Archdiocese of Chicago, Cemetery Records, 1864-1989, online www.familysearch.org, Klein, Eva, Lot W3'-253, Section JJ, Interment Date 14 January 1967, Age 74.
  19. [S1439] Find A Grave, online http://www.findagrave.com, Find A Grave Memorial# 66993225, created by Tony Cannon, 16 March 2011, obituary added by Edna Hauptman.
  20. [S2313] Illinois, Cook County, Birth Certificates, 1871-1940, online www.familysearch.org, Name Frank Klein
    Event Type Birth
    Event Date 18 Jun 1921
    Event Place Chicago, Cook, Illinois, United States
    Registration Place Cook, Illinois
    Gender Male
    Father's Name George Klein
    Father's Age 33
    Mother's Name Eva Bierfi
    Mother's Age 28
    Certificate Number 26202
    Father's Estimated Birth Year 1888
    Mother's Estimated Birth Year 1893.
  21. [S2274] Eva Klein, SS Imperator Ship Passenger Manifest, 25 Jun 1914, Volume: 373-7 I, VIII A 1 Band 279; Line 22, Eva Klein, 21 years; Line 23, Katalin Klein, 11 months, Roll 2338.
  22. [S2227] Illinois, Northern District Petitions for Naturalization, 1906-1994, Katalin Klein, Certificate of Arrival #11-240724 issued 4 March 1940.
  23. [S2227] Illinois, Northern District Petitions for Naturalization, 1906-1994, Katherine Jonilonis, Petition for Naturalization certificate # 203706.
  24. [S2384] George Klein, Certificate of Death.
  25. [S2286] Illinois, Cook County Deaths, 1878-1939, 1955-1994, online www.familysearch.org. Name George Klein
    Event Type Death
    Event Date 23 May 1956
    Event Place Chicago, Cook, Illinois, United States
    Address 3340 N Leavitt St
    Gender Male
    Age 67
    Marital Status Married
    Race White
    Occupation Caretaker
    Birth Date 08 Oct 1888
    Birthplace Jugoslavia
    Funeral Home Hollerbach Funeral Home
    Burial Date 26 May 1956
    Cemetery Saint Joseph
    Father's Name Peter Klein
    Mother's Name Elizabeth Diebold
    Informant's Name Frank Klein
    Entry Number 34243.
  26. [S2390] Hollerbach Funeral Home (Chicago, Illinois), "Ledger, 1956". Privately held by Karen Zander, address for private use.
  27. [S31] Social Security Death Index, Master File, Ancestry.com.
  28. [S2230] 1920 Cook County, Illinois Federal Population Schedule, George Klein household, 1453 Larabee Street, Chicago Ward 22, Cook (Chicago), Illinois; dwelling 180, Family 276, Roll: T625_332; Enumeration District: 1220; Page: 12A; Line 28,.
  29. [S2476] Michael Peter Klein, Birth Certificate No. 4743 (Delayed),(25 June 1915).
  30. [S2227] Illinois, Northern District Petitions for Naturalization, 1906-1994, Eva Klein, Petition for Naturalization certificate # P 203724
    25 Jun 1915.
  31. [S2287] California Death Index, 1940-1997, online www.ancestry.com, Original data: State of California. California Death Index, 1940-1997. Sacramento, CA, USA: State of California Department of Health Services, Center for Health Statistics., Name:     Michael P Klein
    Social Security #:     349091357
    Gender:     Male
    Birth Date:     15 Jun 1915
    Birth Place:     Illinois
    Death Date:     13 Feb 1989
    Death Place:     San Diego
    Mother's Maiden Name:     Birle.
  32. [S2288] Name:     Micheal Peter Klein
    [Michael Peter Klein]
    [Michael Klein]
    SSN: 349091357
    Gender: Male
    Race: White
    Birth Date: 25 Jun 1915
    Birth Place: Arlington Ht, Illinois
    Father Name:     George Klein
    Mother Name: Eva Berli
    Death Date: 13 Feb 1989
    Type of Claim: Original SSN.
    Notes:     Jan 1937: Name listed as MICHEAL PETER KLEIN; 10 Apr 1986: Name listed as MICHAEL PETER KLEIN; 06 Mar 1989: Name listed as MICHAEL P KLEIN, Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007.
  33. [S2284] Cook County, Illinois, Birth Certificates Index, 1871-1922, online www.ancestry.com, Name:     Frank Klein
    Birth Date:     18 Jun 1921
    Birth Place:     Chicago, Cook, Illinois
    Gender:     Male
    Father Name:     George Klein
    Father's Age:     33
    Mother Name:     Eva Bierfi
    Mother's Age:     28
    FHL Film Number:     1379016.
  34. [S36] Michael P. Klein, Certificate of Death.
  35. [S2458] Illinois, Cook County, Birth Certificates, 1871-1940, Name Michael Klein; Event Type Birth; Event Date 25 Jun 1915; Event Place Arlington Heights, Cook, Illinois, United States; Registration Date 24 Jul 1943; Registration Place Cook, Illinois; Gender Male; Father's Name George Peter Klein; Father's Birthplace Yugoslavia; Father's Age 27; Father's Estimated Birth Year 1888; Mother's Name Eva Pierce; Mother's Birthplace Yugoslavia; Mother's Age 22; Mother's Estimated Birth Year 1893; Certificate Number 4743; accessed 22 May 2016.
  36. [S2722] Illinois, Chicago, Catholic Church Records, 1833-1925 Page 64 - Michael Klein - 27. Jun. 1915
    "Die 27 mensis Junii A.D. 1915
    baptizavi Michaelem Klein
    nat un die 24 mensis Junii A. D. 1915 ex
    Georgio Klein et Eva Bierli
    Patrini fuerunt Statfeldt et Theresa Bierli
    Adnotations: [ ]."
  37. [S2284] Cook County, Illinois, Birth Certificates Index, 1871-1922, online www.ancestry.com, Name:     Peter Klein
    Birth Date:     24 May 1917
    Birth Place:     Chicago, Cook, Illinois
    Gender:     Male
    Father Name:     George Klein
    Father's Age:     29
    Mother Name:     Eva Birle
    Mother's Age:     24
    FHL Film Number:     1276325.
  38. [S2271] Los Angeles Daily News, 11 May 2004.
  39. [S2288] Name: Peter Klein
    [Peter S Klein]
    SSN: 323055109
    Gender: Male
    Race: White
    Birth Date: 23 May 1917
    Birth Place: Chicago, Illinois
    Father Name: George Klein
    Mother Name: Eva F Bierle
    Death Date: 6 May 2004
    Type of Claim: Original SSN.
    Notes: Nov 1936: Name listed as PETER KLEIN; 26 May 2004: Name listed as PETER S KLEIN, Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007.
  40. [S2288] Name: Frank Klein
    [Frank J Klein]
    SSN: 356017472
    Gender: Male
    Race: White
    Birth Date: 18 Jun 1921
    Birth Place: Chicago, Illinois
    Father Name: George Klein
    Mother Name: Eva Bierle
    Death Date: 25 Nov 1988
    Type of Claim:     Original SSN.
    Notes: Jun 1937: Name listed as FRANK JACK KLEIN; 06 Dec 1988: Name listed as FRANK J KLEIN, Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007.
  41. [S2313] Illinois, Cook County, Birth Certificates, 1871-1940, online www.familysearch.org, Name Mary Eva Klein
    Event Type Birth
    Event Date 26 Aug 1923
    Event Place Chicago, Cook, Illinois, United States
    Registration Date 28 Aug 1923
    Registration Place Cook, Illinois
    Gender Female
    Race White
    Father's Name Georg Klein
    Father's Birthplace Hungary
    Father's Age 35
    Mother's Name Eva Berlie
    Mother's Birthplace Hungary
    Mother's Age 30
    Certificate Number 34586
    Father's Estimated Birth Year 1888
    Mother's Estimated Birth Year 1893.
Last Edited=27 Dec 2023