Holding eminent prestige among the successful farmers of Hancock county is Chris A. Klieman, who has played a prominent part in the advancement of agriculture in the community in which he lives. A man of splendid personal character and high business principles, he has won the confidence and esteem of those with whom he has come in contact and has made himself a power for public good. Chris A. Klieman was born on June 8, 1878, in the log cabin built by his father on the Hancock county farm. His parents, Herman H. and Louise (Wischler) Klieman, were both natives of Germany, who came to this country in the early days of its history. The father, who was born in 1838, followed the occupation of a tailor in his native land and upon arriving in this country, where he settled first in Cincinnati, Ohio, continued to work at this chosen line of business. After working in Cincinnati for a short time he was attracted to the agricultural opportunities offered in the farming districts of Indiana and moved to Cumberland, in this state, where he rented a farm one mile east of the town just mentioned. Later he bought forty-four acres in the same locality, which he sold for the purpose of settling on a larger farm, consisting of seventy two acres, on Big Sugar creek, Hancock county.

On this farm Herman Klieman experienced all the hardships of pioneer life. He began the task of clearing the land of the underbrush and timber, and after a short time had forty-four acres in cultivation. He built a log cabin and a larger barn, and followed the occupation of a farmer until his death, which occurred in 1904. Mr. Klieman, aside from his immediate family, was survived by a brother, Henry, who died in 1914, in Buck Creek township, near Mt. Comfort; a sister, Mary, who is living in Cincinnati, and another sister, Kate, who resides in Kansas. Mr. Klieman, during his residence in Hancock county, took an active part in the affairs of the Democratic party. In his religious view he gave support to the German Lutheran church and for many years acted a deacon of the church in Sugar Creek township, of which his wife was also a devout member. Mrs. Klieman came to this country from Germany in May, 1842, and lived in Kentucky before the Civil War. After the outbreak of the war she moved to the North and settled near Rising Sun, Indiana, where her marriage later took place. The couple came to Hancock county forty-eight years ago. Mrs. Klieman has one living brother, Philip, and a half-brother, Frank, is deceased. Two sisters are also deceased, Mary and Eigh. Mr. and Mrs. Kleiman reared a family of the following children: Henry, John, George, deceased; Mrs. Mary Cromie, who resides in Indianapolis; Mrs. Anna Knoop, Mrs. Donia Manche; Minnie, deceased; Mrs. Louse Robie; Chris A., Charles, Ben, Fred and Tillie.

Chris A. Klieman received a common-school education in the schools of Sugar Creek township, and after completing the course assisted his father with the work on the farm. After his marriage he worked for nine years by the month, and later rented the place he now occupies for a period of six years. At the end of that time he bought the place, which consists of forty-five acres of land. In 1914 Mr. Klieman bought fifty-two acres, which he has under an excellent state of cultivation. The subject of this sketch devotes the greater part of his time to stock raising and ships from forty to fifty hogs annually. He takes pride in raising high-grade cattle and keeps for the heaviest work on the farm six head of fine horses. The life of the subject of this sketch affords a striking example of what a man with determination, energy and courage may accomplish in his chosen field of endeavor when controlled by the highest principles of conduct.

In 1904, Chris A. Klieman was united in marriage to Anna Rohe. To this union two sons have been born, Edward, who was born on September 27, 1904, and Harmon, who was born on June 28, 1914. Aside from his interests as a farmer, Mr. Klieman has always played a prominent part in those movements which have for their object the betterment of the community in which he lives. In political affairs he gives firm support to the cause of the Democratic party and in local elections works increasingly for its cause. Mr. Klieman acts as director for the telephone company, a position he has held for two years. He is progressive in his business activities and maintains a position founded on honesty in business dealings and trust as a loyal citizen.

Transcribed from History of Hancock County, Indiana, Its People, Industries and Institutions by George J. Richman, B. L., Federal Publishing Co., Indianapolis, Indiana, 1916. Pages 1153-1155.

Submitted by Sylvia (Rose) Duda, Laingsburg, MI November 28, 2001.

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