George Peter Klein1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24

M, b. 8 October 1888, d. 23 May 1956
FatherPeter Klein11,15,16 b. 31 Aug 1849
MotherElisabeth Tibold11,15,16 b. c 1858, d. 4 Nov 1929
Charts
Pedigree Chart of Michael Peter Klein
Georg Klein, 1935
     George Peter Klein, son of Peter Klein and Elisabeth Tibold, was born on 8 October 1888 at Knićanin (Rudolfsgnad), Zrenjanin, Vojvodina, Yugoslavia (Serbia).1,5,3,4,6,11,25,12,15,16 He married Eva Bierle, daughter of Adam Bierle and Katharina Bierle, on 2 June 1912 at Ečka (Deutsch-Etschka), Zrenjanin, Vojvodina.6,3,4,8,9,10,14,26 With only a 6th grade education, George worked as a farm laborer at Knićanin (Rudolfsgnad), and was a very skilled plant breeder.1

It was becoming clear to George that life in Austro-Hungary was not getting better. Wanting more for his family, he made the decision to join the throngs of immigrants heading for America. Just five months after his first child, a daughter named Katharina, was born, George departed Bremen, Germany on 16 Oct 1913 on the SS Neckar of the North German Lloyd Line to Baltimore, Maryland. This ship, first launched in 1900, was 518 feet long and 9835 tons, which made it the third largest transporter of steerage passengers, mostly immigrants, to the United States. According to the passenger manifest, he was traveling to a friend, Teresa Bierle, in Chicago, Illinois, who was his wife's sister.

The SS Neckar arrived in New York on 27 October where 751 passengers disembarked. Except for the first three days of the journey, the weather had been good. Health of the passengers also remained good, with no deaths or births to report. On 28 October, the ship continued on to Philadelphia and arrived the same day. Two thousand tons of freight were unloaded, including 10,000 Harz Roller canaries, and 429 passengers disembarked.

The SS Neckar departed Philadelphia for Baltimore at 11 a.m. on the following day and arrived just after 3 p.m. on 1 November 1913 after a 29-hour trip from Philadelphia. Normal travel time was 36 hours. The SS Neckar already held the record for the fastest travel time from Bremerhaven to Baltimore, and had beat its own record three times. There was a total of 748 passengers on the ship when it docked at Baltimore: 89 2nd-class passengers, 85 3rd-class passengers, and 574 between-deck passengers. Because of the late arrival, only the 2nd-class passengers were allotted money and immigration help and allowed to disembark on the day of arrival. Along with the others, Georg remained on board until the following day, when he was finally allowed to set foot in his new country.1,3,4,2,21,6,20,19,27

Eva and Katharina followed George to the New World one year later.George and Eva lived at Arlington Heights, Cook County, Illinois, in 1915, and he was employed as the caretaker of a park.22 In 1917, George worked as a cement worker for M. Foley Company at Evanston. As was typical for most immigrants, they moved frequently.12,7 They were residing at 2325 N Avers, Chicago7, and had moved to 1657 N. Halsted Street, Chicago by June 1917.12

George registered for the World War I draft on 5 June 1917. He claimed that his wife and family were dependent on him for support. As previous military service, he listed that he was a Private in Company 9, 5th Regiment for 6 months in the Hungarian Army. George was described as having blue eyes and dark brown hair, and being of medium height and build.12

By 1920, George and Eva had moved to 1453 Larabee Street with their family. He was employed as a bricklayer assistant.8

George and Eva had moved again by 1930, and lived at 1018 Center Street, a home which he rented for $40 a month and later purchased. He was employed as a laborer for a building contractor.9

George submitted his Declaration of Intention on 6 September 1935 at Chicago. He was described as being a 46-year-old laborer, 5' 6" tall and 137 lbs, with gray eyes and brown hair.3 He submitted his Petition for Naturalization on 2 September 19384, and was proudly naturalized on 8 December 1938 at Chicago.28,5,6

By 1950, George and Eva had moved once again and now resided at 3340 N. Leavitt Street.16,17

Before retirement, George worked as a caretaker at Chicago Park District.11,16,29

George became severely depressed about his ill health, probably cancer, and suffered terrible pain.16 On 23 May 1956, George died of asphyxiation by hanging at age 67 years, 7 months and 15 days, leaving Eva as a widow.16,11,17

An inquest was held on 24 May 1956 at Chicago. Witnesses were George's son Frank Klein, a mechanic at American Optical Company, and George's wife, Eva Klein, a housewife, both of 3340 N. Leavitt Avenue, and William Griffen, a police officer in the 39th District, star number 8232. Frank was called as the first witness and basic questions about George were asked.

The second witness was Eva. Asked about George's health, she attested that it was poor. She said his doctor at Northwestern Clinic at the Wesley Memorial Hospital said he was "all infected in the bladder, and there was no cure for that." His eye sight was fair, his hearing was very poor. George was in pain all of the time. He had had surgery for the first time in August, and then in February. Eva said he was being treated for his throat and his stomach. He was not able to eat much and lost about 40 pounds in the past 3 or 4 months.

Eva had gone up to the third floor to fix lunch for Frank's children, who had come home from school. Then she went down to the basement to do laundry. After she came back up, she went to check on George in the bedroom, and he was gone. She looked around the house for him, but did not find him, so she went into the garage and there he was hanging from a beam. It was about 12:30 p.m. The last time she saw him was 11:45 a.m. in his bed.

Officer Griffin was called to the stand last. George had climbed on a step ladder and hung suspended by a rope from a beam. He said George was pronounced dead at about 1:10 p.m. by Dr. Taecker at the Martha Washington Hospital. He stated the time of occurrence was approximately 12:30 p.m., and he was found at about 12:45 p.m.24

George was buried on 26 May 1956 at St. Joseph Cemetery, River Grove, Cook County, Illinois. The funeral home was Hollerbach Funeral Home.16,11,17,23
George Klein and Eva Klein, nee Bierle grave marker in St. Joseph Cemetery, River Grove, Illinois
Photograph by Karen Zander

Family: Eva Bierle b. 21 Jul 1893, d. 11 Jan 1967

Citations

  1. [S2375] Georg Klein, S.S. Neckar, Passenger Manifest, 1 November 1913, Line 25, Georg Klein, 26 years.
  2. [S2227] Illinois, Northern District Petitions for Naturalization, 1906-1994, George Klein, Certificate of Arrival #11-134964.
  3. [S2227] Illinois, Northern District Petitions for Naturalization, 1906-1994, George Klein, Declaration of Intention # No. 106249/11-134964.
  4. [S2227] Illinois, Northern District Petitions for Naturalization, 1906-1994, George Klein, Petition for Naturalization certificate # P 171338.
  5. [S2213] Soundex Index to Naturalization Petitions, online www.familysearch.org. George Klein, K450, certificate # P 171338 cn. 4510276.
  6. [S2227] Illinois, Northern District Petitions for Naturalization, 1906-1994, Eva Klein, Petition for Naturalization certificate # P 203724.
  7. [S2385] Chicago, Illinois, City Directory, 1917, page 966, George Klein.
  8. [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.
  9. [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.
  10. [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.
  11. [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.
  12. [S1061] World War II Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards George Klein, No. 1739, or 107, 12-2-20-A.
  13. [S614] Katholisches Kirchenbuch Knicanin, Band Bs3, 1908-1938, Seite 70, Nr. 48, 2/3 Jan 1913, Katalin Klein
    Eltern: Gyorgy Klein von Knicanin und Eva Berle von Ecska
    Wohnung: 228
    Paten: Michely(?) Hartfeld und Katalin Klein.
  14. [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.
  15. [S2292] Philipp Lung, Family Book Deutsch-Etschka – Sigmundfeld and Rudolfsgnad in Banat. 0984 KLEIN Peter, (Sd. Michael K. - Katharina Wola), HNr.228, E-1837
    *D-Etschka, 31.08.1849, IV/95, HNr.50
    TIPOLD Elisabeth, (Td.
    *Lazarfeld, 1858
    +Rudolfsgnad, 04.11.1929, 71 J.
    Kinder in Rudolfsgnad
    a . Barbara *1882 * Rudolfsgnad
    b . Elisabeth *1884 * Rudolfsgnad
    c . Georg *1887 * Rudolfsgnad
    d . Anton *1889 * Rudolfsgnad.
  16. [S2384] George Klein, Certificate of Death.
  17. [S2390] Hollerbach Funeral Home (Chicago, Illinois), "Ledger, 1956". Privately held by Karen Zander, address for private use.
  18. [S2396] Michael J. Anuta, Ships of Our Ancestors.
  19. [S2397] USS Antigone (ID-3007), online https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Antigone_(ID-3007).
  20. [S2398] SS Neckar 1910, online http://www.cimorelli.com/cgi-bin/magellanscripts/…
  21. [S3943] Der Deutsche Correspondent., 1 November 1913, Page 3 https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045081/…
  22. [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.
  23. [S2571] Illinois, Archdiocese of Chicago, Cemetery Records, 1864-1989, online www.familysearch.org, Klein, George, Lot 253, Section JJ, Interment Date 26 May 1956, Age 67.
  24. [S3216] Inquest for George Klein, Number 173, Inquest No. 229164, 24 May 1956.
  25. [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.
  26. [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.
  27. [S2396] Michael J. Anuta, Ships of Our Ancestors, Page 216.
  28. [S2227] Illinois, Northern District Petitions for Naturalization, 1906-1994, George Klein, Oath of Allegiance, Petition granted: Line No. 23 of List No. 3195 and Certificate No. 4510276.
  29. [S2476] Michael Peter Klein, Birth Certificate No. 4743 (Delayed),(25 June 1915).
  30. [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,.
  31. [S2227] Illinois, Northern District Petitions for Naturalization, 1906-1994, Eva Klein, Petition for Naturalization certificate # P 203724
    25 Jun 1915.
  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. [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: [ ]."
  36. [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.
  37. [S2271] Los Angeles Daily News, 11 May 2004.
  38. [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.
  39. [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.
  40. [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