Kling Surname

Rise Church near Åbenrå, Denmark

The Kling family originates in Denmark. The name was originally spelled Klinge, and translates to "blade" or "sword" in Danish. Eventually our branch of the family dropped the "e" and standardized the spelling of the name to Kling. The first reference I can find to anyone in our family using the name Klinge/Kling was in 1772. Anthoni Hermansen Klinge (1735-1793) of Moltrup Parish in Haderslev might have been the first of the family to adopt the surname.

The ancestors of the Kling family lived in southern Denmark, in the counties of Åbenrå and Haderslev (a part of the modern "region" of Sønderjylland–Schleswig). This area was historically a part of the Duchy of Schleswig/Slesvig which was an independent duchy with an interesting history. Over the years, the jurisdiction of the area changed frequently and at different times the area was under the control of either Danish or German authorities. Since 1920, the area has been a part of Denmark. Although our family lived at times under German rule, they were ethnically, culturally and linguistically Danish.

Sometime between 1818 and 1822, our ancestor Antoni Kling moved to Rise Parish in Åbenrå. His family remained there for many decades. Eventually, after the area was conquered by Prussia [Germany] in the 1860s, most of the family was compelled to leave their homeland and move to America. However they all traveled at different times. Between 1870 and 1890, nearly all of Antoni Kling's descendants moved to America - in 14 separate known ocean crossings. The majority of the family settled in Connecticut, Minnesota or California.

Herman was born at an unknown date in Denmark.

Nothing is known of him except that he had a son, Lau Hermansen.

They had at least one child:

1	Lau Hermansen

Lau Hermansen was born circa 1652 in Denmark. He died on February 25, 1714 in Bramdrup, Moltrup Parish, Haderslev, Denmark ¹ or on February 26, 1713/4 ².

Father: Herman
Mother: Unknown

Lau Hermansen was a farmer and lived in Rovstrup and Bramdrup, Denmark. Some have proposed that he was born in the village of Klingbjerg in Svenstrup in Sonderborg, Denmark. There is no known source confirming that connection. It might have been an attempt at an explanation for the family's eventual adoption of the Kling surname (although that didn't happen until more than 100 years later).

They had at least one child:

1	Herman Lauesen

Herman Lauesen was born on February 2, 1690/1 in Rovstrup, Moltrup, Haderslev, Denmark ². He died on September 30, 1768 in Bramdrup, Moltrup, Haderslev, Denmark ^2,20.

Father: Lau Hermansen
Mother: Mette Lauersdatter

According to one record, he was baptized (and not born) on February 2, 1690/1 in Rovstrup, Denmark ¹ Herman was a farmer. He lived with his family in Bramdrup, Denmark.

Father: Erich
Mother: probably Woldborg

Kirsten and three of her children died from dysentery in the spring of 1750.

1	Mette Kierstin Hermansdatter was born on March 27, 1718 in Bramdrup, Moltrup, Haderslev, Denmark 2,20. She died on January 28, 1746 in Bramdrup, Moltrup, Haderlsev, Denmark 20. She married Simon Johannesen on October 21, 1745 in Moltrup, Haderslev, Denmark 20. They had one child: Johannes Simonsen (1746-1746)
2	Erich Hermansen was born on January 9, 1720 in Bramdrup, Moltrup, Haderslev, Denmark 20. He died on March 29, 1750 in Bramdrup, Moltrup, Haderslev, Denmark 2,20. He married Birret Steffensdatter on November 24, 1746 in Moltrup, Haderlsev, Denmark 20. They had two children: Stephan Erichsen (1747-1747) Mette Kirstine Erichsdatter (1749-1761)
3	Laue Hermansen was born on December 10, 1722 in Bramdrup, Moltrup, Haderslev, Denmark 2,20. He died after 1768.
4	Woldborg Hermansdatter was born on May 13, 1725 in Bramdrup, Moltrup, Haderslev, Denmark 2,20. She died after 1768.
5	Claus Hermansen was born on January 11, 1729 in Bramdrup, Moltrup, Haderslev, Denmark 2,20. He died on May 23, 1750 in Bramdrup, Moltrup, Haderslev, Denmark 2,20.
6	Maren Hermansdatter was born on October 18, 1731 in Bramdrup, Moltrup, Haderslev, Denmark 2,20. She died on January 20, 1756 in Bramdrup, Moltrup, Haderslev, Denmark 20.
7	Anthoni Hermansen Klinge
8	Peder Hermansen was born on September 28, 1738 in Bramdrup, Moltrup, Haderslev, Denmark 2,20. He died on March 23, 1750 in Bramdrup, Moltrup, Haderslev, Denmark 2,20.

They had no children. She did though have one child from her first marriage: Lauritz "Lars" Berentsen (1739-1805).

Anthoni Hermansen Klinge was born on January 16, 1735 in Bramdrup, Moltrup Parish, Haderslev, Denmark ^1,20. He died on December 16, 1793 in Rovstrup, Moltrup Parish, Haderslev, Denmark ^1,2,20.

Father: Herman Lauesen
Mother: Kirsten Erichsdatter

Anthoni apparently spent his entire life living in Bramdrup and Rovstrup; neighboring villages in Moltrup Parish in Haderslev County, Denmark. He was confirmed in 1751, at the age of 16. Anthoni might have been the first of the family to adopt the surname Klinge. In 1772, his daughter Kristina was baptized with the name Klinge; the first known use of the name in his family. Throughout his life, he primarily used the patronymic Hermansen, but his surviving children adopted the Klinge surname.

Father: Hans Thomassen
Mother: Kirsten Matthiesdatter

1	Hans Anthonisen Klinge
2	Kirsten Klinge was born on October 31, 1767 in Rovstrup, Moltrup, Haderslev, Denmark 20. She died on September 9, 1850 in Lunding, Sonder Starup, Haderslev, Denmark 24. She married Hans Christian Christiansen on September 17, 1796 in Sonder Starup, Haderslev, Denmark. He was born cira 1763 and died on October 26, 1808 in Lunding, Sonder Starup, Haderslev, Denmark. They had the following children: Maria Christiansen (1797-1831) md. Christen Fallesen Kirsten Christiansen (1798-1832) md. Jens Thulesen Lind Maren Christiansen (1800-1808) Ellen Christiansen (1802-1820) Kirstine "Stine" Christiansen (1803-1852) md. Soren Nielsen Bodil Catharina Christiansen (1806-1829) Maren Christiansen (1808-1834) Kirsten spent her married life and old age in the village of Lunding in Sonder Starup Parish, Haderslev, Denmark. In old age she lived with the family of her son-in-law Jens Lind.
3	Herman Klinge was born on September 21, 1769 in Rovstrup, Moltrup, Haderslev, Denmark 20. He died on January 29, 1855 in Langetved, Skrave, Haderslev, Denmark 25. He married Anna Petersdatter on December 8, 1804 in Skrave, Haderslev, Denmark 25. She was born circa 1765 and died on April 13, 1841 in Langetved, Skrave, Haderslev, Denmark 25. They had no known children. Herman was a school teacher. Although he had no children, he adopted or raised his niece Kirstine "Stine" Christensen (1803-1852), the daughter of his sister Kirsten.
4	Kristina Klinge was born on March 28, 1772 in Rovstrup, Moltrup, Haderslev, Denmark 20. She died on June 9, 1773 in Rovstrup, Moltrup, Haderslev, Denmark 20.
5	Peder Klinge was born on April 18, 1774 in Rovstrup, Moltrup, Haderslev, Denmark 20. He died on September 15, 1778 in Rovstrup, Moltrup, Haderslev, Denmark 20.
6	Kristina Klinge was born on August 29, 1776 in Rovstrup, Moltrup, Haderslev, Denmark 20. She died on February 17, 1837 in Over-Jerstal, Vedsted, Haderslev, Denmark 18. She married first Peter Sorensen Juhl on October 24, 1807 in Vedsted, Haderslev, Denmark. He was born on February 21, 1767 and died on October 21, 1808 in Vedsted, Haderslev, Denmark. They had no children: She married second to Hans Jensen Skov on September 9, 1809 in Vedsted, Haderslev, Denmark. He was born circa 1738 and died on December 31, 1820 in Vedsted, Haderslev, Denmark. They had the following children: Anna Kiestine Skov (1811-aft. 1880) md. Peter Lange Schmidt Bodil Cathrine Skov (1814-1847) md. Caspar Christensen Schultz Kjesten Skov (1817-1817) In 1803 she was living in the village of Moltrup and working as a servant. Sometime between 1803 and 1807 she moved to Over-Jerstal in Vedsted Parish, where many of her relatives were living. She remained there until her death.
7	Erik Anthonisen Klinge was born on May 30, 1778 in Rovstrup, Moltrup Parish, Haderslev, Denmark 2,20. He died on July 12, 1841 in Over-Jerstal, Haderslev, Denmark 2,18. He married first Lene Marie Christensen on October 14, 1803 in Vedsted Parish, Haderslev, Denmark 2. She was born December 17, 1770 and died on September 23, 1808 in Over-Jerstal, Vedsted, Haderslev, Denmark. They had two children: Ellen Klinge (1804-1809) Kirsten Klinge (1806-1890) md. Hans Paulsen He married second Anne Christine Jeppesdatter on May 7, 1809 in Nunstrup, Denmark 2. She was born on February 5, 1774 in Anslet, Aller, Denmark and died on February 13, 1829 in Over-Jerstal, Vedsted, Haderslev, Denmark. They had two children: Jeppe Eriksen Klinge (1813-1892) md. Andrea Petersdatter Schmidt Marie Lene Klinge (1815-1884) md. Rasmus Matthiasen Beier Erik was a farmer. He settled in the village of Over-Jerstal before 1803, where he lived until his death.
8	Peder Klinge was born on April 1, 1782 in Rovstrup, Moltrup, Haderslev, Denmark 20. He died on April 6, 1782 in Rovstrup, Moltrup, Haderslev, Denmark 20.
9	stillborn son Klinge was born and died on January 11, 1784 in Rovstrup, Moltrup, Haderslev, Denmark 20.
10	Laue Klinge was born on April 18, 1789 in Rovstrup, Moltrup, Haderslev, Denmark 20. He died on April 19, 1789 in Rovstrup, Moltrup, Haderslev, Denmark 20.

Hans Anthonisen Klinge was born on January 31, 1766 in Rovstrup, Moltrup Parish, Haderslev, Denmark ²⁰. He died on May 18, 1822 in Over-Jerstal, Vedsted, Haderslev, Denmark ^2,18.

Father: Anthoni Hermansen Klinge
Mother: Kirsten Hansdatter

Hans was married to Sara Petersdatter in 1794 in the Gammel Haderslev Church in the city of Haderslev in Haderslev, Denmark. Within the first few years of marriage, they lived in the village of Jernhyt in Hammelev Parish before settling in Over-Jerstal in Vedsted Parish by 1800. Hans and Sara both lived in Over-Jerstal until their deaths. Some online family trees indicate that Hans married second to a "Susan Matsen" who died in 1827, yet that was not true. His wife Sara survived him.

They had the following children:

1	Antoni Hansen Kling
2	Peter Klinge was born on January 31, 1797 in Jernhyt, Hammelev, Haderslev, Denmark 21. He died on January 5, 1805 in Over-Jerstal, Vedsted, Haderslev, Denmark 18.
3	Anna Kirstine Klinge was born on April 6, 1800 in Over-Jerstal, Vedsted, Haderslev, Denmark 18. She died on June 22, 1800 in Over-Jerstal, Vedsted, Haderslev, Denmark 18.
4	Anna Kirstine Klinge was born on August 2, 1801 in Over-Jerstal, Vedsted, Haderslev, Denmark 18. She died on November 11, 1801 in Over-Jerstal, Vedsted, Haderslev, Denmark 18.
5	Kirsten Klinge was born on March 25, 1803 in Over-Jerstal, Vedsted, Haderslev, Denmark 18. She died on August 22, 1810 in Over-Jerstal, Vedsted, Haderslev, Denmark 18.
6	Peter Klinge was born on August 13, 1807 in Over-Jerstal, Vedsted, Haderslev, Denmark 18. He died on August 14, 1807 in Over-Jerstal, Vedsted, Haderslev, Denmark 18.
7	Anna Kirstine Klinge was born on January 9, 1810 in Over-Jerstal, Vedsted, Haderslev, Denmark 18. She died on May 10, 1841 in Vellerup, Agerskov, Haderslev, Denmark 23. She married Nicolai Henrich Green on June 9, 1836 in Agerskov, Haderslev, Denmark 23. He was born on June 18, 1797 and died on July 29, 1859 in Agerskov, Haderslev, Denmark 23. They had the following children: Henrich Johansen Green (1836-1836) Cathrina Green (1837-1838) Henrich Johansen Green (1839-1840) stillborn twin Green (1839-1839) After she was orphaned in 1824 (aged 14), Anna Kirstine apparently moved frequently and probably lived with different relatives or caretakers. In 1825, she was confirmed in the neighboring Skrydstrup Parish. In 1828, she was a resident of Over-Jerstall when she traveled to Rise to serve as godmother for her nephew Antoni Kling's baptism. In 1835, she was living in Branderup Parish. Later in 1835, she moved to the neighboring Agerskov Parish in Haderslev; where she married and lived in the village of Vellerup. She died after 5 years of marriage, having survived all of her children.
8	Kirsten Klinge was born on September 11, 1813 in Over-Jerstal, Vedsted, Haderslev, Denmark 18. She died on April 16, 1889 in Rise, Åbenrå, Denmark 5. She married first Lauritz Christian Sandholt on November 6, 1841 in Gammel Haderslev, Haderslev, Denmark. He was born on October 29, 1812 in Gammel Haderslev, Haderslev, Denmark and died on January 6, 1846 in Gammel Haderslev, Haderslev, Denmark. They had two children: Anne Christine Sandholt (1842-1903) md. Georg Andreas Lauritz Heiden Cathrine Sarine Sandholt (1844-1845) She married second Mads Hansen on June 10, 1848 in Gammel Haderslev, Haderslev, Denmark. He was born on about December 25, 1792 in Kastrup, Gram, Haderslev, Denmark and died on April 28, 1873 in Rise, Åbenrå, Denmark. They had one child: Laurtiz Hansen (1849-1851) After Kirsten was orphaned in 1824 (aged 10), her whereabouts are unknown. Eventually she moved to the nearby city of Haderslev, where she lived between at least 1840 and 1851. Sometime between 1851 and 1857, she moved with her family to Rise, Denmark (where her brother was living), where she remained until her death. Between 1892 and 1905 all of her surviving descendants moved to America.

Antoni Hansen Kling was born December 17, 1794 in Jernhyt, Hammelev, Haderslev, Denmark ²¹. He died on June 2, 1870 in Brunde, Rise, Åbenrå, Denmark ^1,5.

Father: Hans Anthonisen Klinge
Mother: Sara Petersdatter Juhl

He was a mechanic, wagon maker, mason and carpenter by trade, and went by the names of "Anton", "Tonne" or "Hompa." Although his surname was originally Klinge, he dropped the "e" and standardized the spelling of the name as Kling for himself and his descendants.

He was born and spent his earliest years in the village of Jernhyt in Hammelev Parish in Haderslev, Denmark. Sometime between 1797 and 1800, the family moved to the nearby village of Over-Jerstal in Vedsted Parish, where they remained. There, Antoni was a godfather to the baptism of his cousin Bodil Skov in 1814. He was also still living there when he fathered an illegitimate daughter in 1818. Sometime between 1818 and 1822, he moved by himself to Rise Parish in Åbenrå, Denmark. He remained there until his death. Within Rise Parish, Antoni and his family lived in the villages of Rise-Hjarup and Brunde.

Antoni died on June 2, 1870 in Brunde in Rise Parish, Åbenrå, Denmark. His death occurred during an uncertain time for the family. In the years after his death, nearly all of Antoni's descendants moved to America to escape the Prussian army. His widow remained in Rise until her death.

1

Anna Kristina Kling was born on October 11, 1818 in Vedsted, Haderslev, Denmark 18. She died on April 9, 1889 in Lunderup, Rise, Åbenrå, Denmark 22. She married Jorgen Jorgensen on April 11, 1851 in Hammelev, Haderslev, Denmark 21. They had the following children: Rasmus Jorgensen (1852-1852) Anna Christine Jorgensen (1854-1904) md. Christian Peter Petersen Rasmus Jorgensen (1856-???) Infant Male Jorgensen (1861-1861) She usually went by her middle name Kristina. She was raised by her mother - who married Hans Christian Styding and lived in the village of Ladegaard in Hammelev Parish in Haderslev, Denmark. Sometime between 1861 and 1880, Kristina moved with her family to Oster Logum, Denmark; where they remained. She died at the home of her daughter in Lunderup in Rise Parish. When her biological father Antoni Kling died in 1870, she was not listed as one of his surviving children. She was though described as his daughter on her baptism and marriage records.

1	Hans Lauritsen Kling was born on October 13, 1822 in Rise, Åbenrå, Denmark 5. He died on October 1, 1905 in New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut 1. He is buried in the Evergreen Cemetery, New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut. He married Anna Catharina Devantier on May 8, 1852 in Fredericia, Vejle, Denmark 1. She was born on February 14, 1826 in Fredericia, Vejle, Denmark 1 and died on October 10, 1885 in New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut 1. She is buried in the Evergreen Cemetery, New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut. They had the following children: Antoni "Anthony" Lauritzen Kling 1853-1916) md. Tamar Iverson Hans Christian Kling (1854-aft. 1870) Martin Jacque Kling (1856-1929) md. Anna Marie Lorrensen Marine "Marina" Kjerstine Kling (1857-1940) md. Peter Jensen Lauritz "Laurens" Peter Kling (1859-1920) md. Mary Clark Christian Jacobsen Kling (1861-1930) md. Johanna Marie Busk Anna Maria Kling (1863-1866) Ellen Margarethe Kling (1863-1945) md. John P. Carlsen Peter Kling (1865-1888) Andreas "Andrew" Hansen Kling (1866-1919) md. Annie Gilmore Matthias "Matthew" Hansen Kling (1868-1938) md. Christine Petersen Hans is often listed online with the middle name Christian and his wife is often listed with the middle name Maria, yet there is no evidence in contemporary records that either of them ever had those middle names. Hans was a mason and a carpenter. After his marriage, they briefly lived in Fredericia, Denmark, before returning to his hometown of Rise before 1854. There, they lived in the village of Brunde, where they were documented as living continuously between 1854 and 1884. Hans followed in the example of his brothers' families and decided to move to America. His oldest son Anthony migrated in 1873, but the rest of the family did not come until later (Lauritz in 1879, Christian in 1880, Marine and Peter in 1881, Andreas in 1883, and Hans, Anna, Ellen and Mathias in 1884). Sometime in the late 1880s, Hans went back to Denmark by himself to bring back his only child remaining in Denmark: Martin. Hans emigrated with Martin and his family in 1890.
2	Lauritz "Lauds" Petersen Kling was born on August 2, 1825 in Rise, Åbenrå, Denmark 5. He died on August 12, 1867 in Lunderup, Rise, Åbenrå, Denmark 1,5. He married Ellen Maria Madsen on November 17, 1854 in Rise, Åbenrå, Denmark 5. (She was born on December 12, 1827 in Hellevad, Åbenrå, Denmark and died in 1892 in California.) They had the following children: Peter Madsen Kling (1855-1922) md. Dorothea Charlotte Wilhelmina Casper female stillborn twin Kling (1856-1856) Maren Kling (1856-1856) Antoni Hansen Kling (1857-1923) md. Sarah Miles Lauritz Petersen Kling (1859-1937) md. Sine Busk Maren Kling (1861-1932) md. Lauritz Christian Nielsen Hans "John" Lauritzen Kling (1863-1904) md. Annie C. Petersen Catherina Maria Kling (1865-1920) md. John J. Nielsen Lauds apparently died while fighting either for or against the Prussian Army. His widow afterwards married to Mathias Hansen. Because of the manner of her first husband's death, Ellen decided to send each of her sons to America when they turned 15 so they would not be drafted into Prussian army. Peter was sent in 1871, Antoni in 1873, and Lauritz in 1875. In 1879, the rest of the family (Ellen, her second husband, and three youngest children) immigrated to the United States. They first settled in Connecticut but during the 1880s, Ellen and the three youngest moved to California. She is said to have remarried to a Mr. Clark. Various online family trees list a daughter named "Octavi Martha", yet there is no evidence of any additional children. That strange name was probably a mistranscription of a very difficult to read Danish baptism record of one of his children.
3	Antoni Hansen Kling was born on September 22, 1828 in Rise, Åbenrå, Denmark 5. He died sometime between 1890 and 1895 in Otter Tail Co., Minnesota. He married first Mette Christine Hansen on April 28, 1856 in Rise, Åbenrå, Denmark 5. (She was born on July 1, 1831 in Rise, Åbenrå, Denmark 5 and she died after 1868.) They had the following children: infant female Kling (1856-1856) Antoni Hansen Kling (1857-1879) Maren Hansen Kling (1860-1886) md. Nicolay Adolph Paulsen Mette Cathrine Kling (1863-1887) md. Jacob Davidsen Brink Johan Hansen Kling (1865-aft. 1887) md. Thea Haug Anna Kirstine Hansen Kling (1868-1888) He married second Helena Ongstad on January 12, 1881 in Otter Tail Co., Minnesota. She was born circa 1846 in Norway. She died after 1925, probably in North Dakota or Canada. They had the following children: Marie Anna Kling (1873-1934) (ADOPTED) md. William Leroy Rundell Alida Erika Kling (1874-1954) (ADOPTED) md. William Union Dancy Henry Melvin Kling (1881-1939) Perry Alfred Kling (1883-1949) Luella Kling (1885-1896) Bennie Martin Kling (1887-aft. 1925) md. Goldie Viola Rambo Antoni was the first of the family to move to America. When his father died in June 1870, he was listed as a resident of America. On April 1, 1870, he sailed from Hamburg on the ship "Hansa" which arrived in Hull, UK. He then traveled across England to Liverpool where he boarded the ship "Palmyra" which arrived in Boston on April 10, 1870. It is possible that he returned to Denmark within a few years. He might have been the "Anton Hansen Kling" who registered to move from Denmark to Australia in 1873, but apparently changed his mind. He also was possibly the "Anton H. Kling" who in June 1874 arrived in New York on a ship from Hamburg, via Glasgow, Scotland. With him was only an infant named Lauritz Kling. During the 1870s, Antoni lived in Webster City, Iowa where his brother Christian also lived. He then moved with Christian's family to Blue Earth County, Minnesota in about 1878. On September 30, 1878, he submitted his declaration to become a citizen. Then in 1879, Antoni moved to Otter Tail County, Minnesota; where he remained until his death. In 1881, he married Helena Ongstad, who had two illegitimate daughters that he adopted. His son Antoni emigrated in 1877 and then his son Johan emigrated in 1884. Although Antoni and his sons moved to America, his daughters remained behind in Denmark, where they all died young and without children. It is not known what happened to his first wife Mette.
4	Christian Sørensen Kling

They had no children.

Various online family trees suggested that they had a daughter named Ellen Marie Kling, born in 1857. However that is not supported by any contemporary records. It is possible that someone was confused by the 1873 confirmation record for Antoni Hansen Kling (1857-1923) son of Ellen Marie Kling, which appeared to incorrectly switch the parent and child names.

Sometime before 1840 Ellen moved to Rise Parish, Denmark. In 1840 and 1845 she was a servant when she was living with a woman named Mette Jepsen Schmidt in the house Antoni and Maren Kling.

Christian Sørensen Kling was born on August 4, 1834 in Rise-Hjarup, Rise, Åbenrå, Denmark ^5,6. He died on December 12, 1894 in Decoria Twp., Blue Earth Co., Minnesota ^6,7. He is buried in the Decoria Cemetery, Decoria Twp., Blue Earth Co., Minnesota.

Father: Antoni Hansen Kling
Mother: Maren Damm

Christian was baptized on August 17, 1834 in Rise, Denmark ⁵. Christian was born and raised in the village of Rise-Hjarup in Rise Parish, Denmark. Christian followed in his father's and brothers' footsteps in the general vocation of carpenter and also worked as a bricklayer. In the 1840s, the family moved to the village of Brunde, and Christian probably lived there until his marriage. In March 1850, 15-year old Christian was confirmed in the Rise church. In 1856, he was a godfather for the baptism of his nephew Martin Kling. In the same year, he was also a godfather to Christian Lilienthal (his future nephew-in-law). In 1859, at the age of 24, he married Christina "Doris" Lilienthal. They lived in Rise Parish where they had six children baptized. Between 1859 and 1872, they moved frequently within the parish and were documented as living in the neighboring villages of Rise, Brunde, Mjols, and Rise-Hjarup.

The late 1860s was an uncertain time for the Kling family. In 1864 the Duchy of Schleswig/Slesvig (which at that time contained the Danish County of Åbenrå) was conquered by the Kingdom of Prussia. In 1867, Christian's brother Lauds Kling died fighting for (or at the hands of) the Prussian military. After the start of the Franco-Prussian War in 1870, there was a requirement that all adult men in the area would be drafted into the Prussian military. It was also in this year that Christian's father died and his brother Antoni fled to America, and it did not take long for Christian to decide to also flee his homeland. Sometime in late 1870, he apparently fled Schleswig and went north to Copenhagen in Danish territory, where on December 30, 1870, he registered to emigrate to the United States with New York City as his destination. He probably made the trip by himself in early 1871. [He might have been the 37-year old "C.P. Kling" who arrived on February 7, 1871 in New York City from Liverpool on the ship S.S. City of Brussels.] Christian's wife and five surviving children made the trip in October 1872 and they probably reunited in New York. They immediately went out west and settled at Webster City in Hamilton County, Iowa where they had two more children. After the move to the United States, the names of the Kling family became Anglicized. The surname Kling stuck, but Christian was usually known as "Christ" or "Chris" and his wife began to go by "Dora."

The Klings only spent a few years in Iowa. In about 1878, they moved to Blue Earth County, Minnesota, where Christian was submitted his declaration to be naturalized as a citizen on October 21, 1879. They settled on a farm in the eastern part of Mankato Township, several miles east of the city of Mankato. Their farm (which they rented), was near the Le Sueur River and also close to Tivoli (a Danish community that doesn't exist anymore). They remained at Tivoli until 1888, when they purchased a farm in neighboring Decoria Township. This was a 100-acre farm and farmhouse on the Le Sueur River, in the north-central portion of the township. They had no more children in Minnesota, but they raised their illegitimate grandson Fred Kling as their own son. Christian spent the rest of his life in rural Decoria, where he died on December 12, 1894, at the age of 60. His cause of death was listed as "kidney complaint" [diabetes?]. His wife lived there for about six more years and in the summer of 1900, moved to Brainerd, Minnesota, to live with their daughter Elizabeth. She died there in 1921.

They had the following children:

1	Marie Elisabeth Kling was born on January 14, 1860 in Rise, Åbenrå, Denmark 5. She died on February 9, 1860 in Rise, Åbenrå, Denmark 5. Marie was baptized on February 6, 1860 in Rise, Åbenrå, Denmark 5. She was enumerated with her family in 1860, when she was listed as an unbaptized child.
2	Antoni Hansen Kling was born on January 24, 1861 in Rise, Åbenrå, Denmark 5. He died on February 14, 1862 in Rise-Hjarup, Rise, Åbenrå, Denmark 5. Antoni was baptized on February 15, 1861 in Rise, Åbenrå, Denmark 5.
3	Maren "Mary" Kling was born on January 24, 1861 in Rise, Åbenrå, Denmark 5. She died on December 5, 1905 in Mankato Twp., Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 8. She is buried in the Tivoli Cemetery, Mankato Twp., Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. She had a relationship with an unknown man whom she did not marry. She had one illegitimate child: Fred Kling (1881-1961) md. Bertha Louise Schulz She married William Miller on December 6, 1883 in Mankato Twp., Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 16. (He was born in February 1846 in Pennsylvania 9 and died sometime between 1906 and 1910.) They had the following children: Russel Grover Miller (1885-1958) md. Ida E. Franske William James Miller (1898-1969) md. Myrtle Irene Hynson Maren was baptized on February 15, 1861 in Rise, Åbenrå, Denmark 5. Mary and her husband lived in rural Mankato Township, where they farmed. Although her oldest son Fred was primarily raised by her parents, she was acknowledged as his mother - he sometimes lived with their family. Mary died from diabetes at the age of 42.
4	Friederika "Elizabeth" Elisabeth Kling was born on July 7, 1863 in Brunde, Rise, Åbenrå, Denmark 10. She died on December 20, 1954 in Brainerd, Crow Wing Co., Minnesota 10. She is buried in the Evergreen Cemetery, Brainerd, Crow Wing Co., Minnesota. She married James Calvin Alexander on April 6, 1892 in Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 16. (He was born on March 24, 1865 in Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota and died on November 9, 1949 in Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota.) They had the following children: Frank Claude Alexander (1893-1962) md. Ellen Victoria Erickson infant female Alexander (1896-1896) Stanley Calvin Alexander (1897-1967) md. 1st. Daisy B. Sinclair (divorced) md. 2nd. Isabelle Marie Carlson Leonard Joseph Alexander (1900-1965) md. Mabel Elizabeth Wettrow Clarence Willard Alexander (1904-1979) md. 1st. Myrtle E. Johnson md. 2nd. Elizabeth Ann Furhmann, widow of John William Hanson She was baptized on July 26, 1863 in Rise, Åbenrå, Denmark 5. She always went by her middle name Elizabeth, even as a child in Denmark. Soon after their marriage, Elizabeth moved with her husband to St. James in Watonwan Co., Minnesota. They then moved to Brainerd, Minnesota in 1900, where they remained. James was a farmer and then later a blacksmith for railroad companies.
5	Christina "Christine" Margarethe Kling
6	Hans Detlev Kling was born on July 3, 1868 in Mjols, Rise, Åbenrå, Denmark 5. He died on April 10, 1943 in Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 8. He is buried in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery, St. Clair, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. He married Catherine "Kate" Jane Glasgow on November 11, 1895 in Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 16. (She was born on September 27, 1870 in Medo Twp., Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 26 and died on July 23, 1952 in Cheboygan, Cheboygan Co., Michigan 26. She is buried in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery, St. Clair, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota.) They had the following children: Elizabeth Marguerita Kling (1896-aft. 1940) md. Lloyd Verner Olsen Cecelia Latisha Kling (1899-1990) md. Clayton Harold Pengra Andrew Christian Kling (1900-1968) md. Grace Wagner William Francis Kling (1903-1962) md. Jeanette Clara Carno Carmelletta Maria Kling (1907-1977) md. 1st Clinton James Trumble md. 2nd Walter H. Warden Catherine Joyce Kling (1911-1991) md. 1st William Terry Cockrill md. 2nd Robert L. Morlan Bernadine Veronica Kling (1913-1994) md. Timothy Ray Johnson Hans was a farmer, carpenter, laborer, and later an auto worker. Hans lived on a farm in rural Blue Earth County, Minnesota; where all of his children were born. Sometime between 1916 and 1918, they moved to the nearby city of Mankato, Minnesota. Then in about 1920, he moved with his family to Bovey in northern Minnesota, where his younger brother Christian was living. Then sometime between 1924 and 1927, they moved to Michigan where they lived in both Flint and Flushing. Sometime during the 1930s, they moved back to Minnesota and settled in Mankato, where Hans lived until his death.
7	Ellen "Ella" Margarethe Kling was born on August 14, 1870 in Rise-Hjarup, Rise, Åbenrå, Denmark 11. She died on May 20, 1954 in Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 11. She is buried in the Minneopa Cemetery, South Bend Twp., Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. She married Charles W. Miller on March 21, 1888 in Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 16. (He was born in March 1865 in Minnesota 9and died on November 27, 1950 in Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 8. He is buried in the Minneopa Cemetery, South Bend Twp., Blue Earth Co., Minnesota.) They had the following children: Harry Peter Miller (1888-1974) md. 1st. Anna Louise Abraham md. 2nd. Alma Field Moon Clayton Charles Miller (1891-1963) md. Olive Emma Romack After their marriage in 1888, Ella and her husband first lived in Decoria Township, where they lived near her parents. Then in about 1894, they moved to the city of Mankato, where they remained for the duration of their lives. Charles worked as a farmer, a teamster and a freight agent before spending most of his adulthood as an ice dealer.
8	Louis P. Kling was born circa 1874 in Webster City, Hamilton Co., Iowa 9. He died on November 15, 1906 near Cross Lake in Crow Wing Co., Minnesota 12. He is buried in the Evergreen Cemetery, Brainerd, Crow Wing Co., Minnesota. He married Rhoda Leslie Warrick on August 24, 1904 in Crow Wing Co., Minnesota 17. (She was born on January 6, 1885 in Wayne Co., West Virginia and died on April 20, 1952 in Santa Clara Co., California.) They had no children. He was most likely named Lauds/Lauritz Petersen Kling after his uncle, yet he always went by Louis or Lou. At an unknown point in his adulthood (between 1895 and 1904), he moved to Crow Wing County, Minnesota to work as a railroad engineer at Cross Lake. In November 1906, Louis was hunting in the woods near Cross Lake, Minnesota, when he was mistaken for a deer by his companion and shot in the stomach and died soon after. The incident created quite a sensation in the newspapers of Mankato and Brainerd. Although Louis had been married for two years at the time of his death, there was no mention of a surviving wife in any of his obituaries, suggesting that perhaps their marriage was not approved of or acknowledged by his family. After his death, Rhoda moved out west to Oregon and remarried to William Bowen.
9	Christian "Christ" Sorensen Kling was born on February 28, 1875 in Webster City, Hamilton Co. Iowa 13. He died on July 29, 1929 in Coleraine, Itasca Co., Minnesota 13. He is buried in the Evergreen Cemetery, Brainerd, Crow Wing Co., Minnesota. He married Mary Elizabeth McGuire on November 15, 1905 in Brainerd, Crow Wing Co., Minnesota 17. (She was born circa 1885 in Minnesota and died on November 19, 1950 in Itasca Co., Minnesota 8.) They had no children. Christian was a laborer; he worked for many years in the lumber industry and later as a foreman in an iron mine. He moved to Brainerd, Minnesota in about 1900 and then to Bovey, Minnesota in 1911, where he remained until his death.

Christina "Christine" Margarethe Kling was born on August 30, 1865 in Brunde, Rise, Åbenrå, Denmark 5. She died on June 19, 1954 in St. Peter, Nicollet Co., Minnesota 14. She is buried in the Tivoli Cemetery, Mankato Twp., Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. Father: Christian Sørensen Kling Mother: Christina Margaretha Dorothea Lilienthal She was baptized in Rise, Denmark, on September 24, 1865 5; named after her mother. Although her name was officially "Christina", for most of her life she used the name "Christine". As a small child, her family moved frequently and lived in the neighboring villages of Brunde, Mjols and Rise-Hjarup in Rise Parish, Denmark. Although her family planned to move to America when she was quite young, the reason for this appears to have been so that her father would escape being drafted in the Prussian Army. Because they apparently did not move to America for economic betterment, their situation in Denmark may have been relatively comfortable. It was said by some descendants that Christina's father was actually a landowner in Denmark (although that doesn't seem likely - and in fact, they were explicitly described as tenants/renters in Danish records). In late 1870, Christina's father registered to emigrate from Denmark and probably made the trip in 1871 by himself. In 1872, 7-year old Christina and her mother and siblings left Denmark to join their father in New York City. They made their way from Denmark to Liverpool, England, where they boarded the ship "City of New York" which arrived in New York on October 12, 1872. The family probably reunited in New York and immediately moved out west and settled in Webster City, Iowa. The Klings did not remain in Iowa for long and moved to Blue Earth County, Minnesota in about 1878. They began renting a farm in the eastern part of Mankato Township, several miles east of the city of Mankato near Tivoli (a Danish community). In 1880, 14-year old Christina was living in the home of a neighbor, where she was working as a servant. It was while living in Blue Earth County that Christina met and became engaged to her future husband. Henry Hoffman was also from a rural Mankato Township farm. Christina and Henry Hoffman were married in 1888. They lived together in Mankato Township, on land owned by Henry's parents in what is now within Mankato's city limits (near what is now the Mankato East High School off of Hoffman Road). It was while living there that Christina's four children were born. Meanwhile, in 1888 Christina's parents moved to neighboring Decoria Township, where they purchased a 100-acre farm. Christina and Henry were still living in Mankato Township in 1904. In about November 1904, they moved to the nearby village of St. Clair in McPherson Township. They also lived briefly in the nearby small town of Smiths Mill in Janesville Township. It was while living in St. Clair that Henry Hoffman suffered an injury and died in September 1907. Christina was afterwards in a difficult situation, with no land that she owned and no source of income. In 1908, she and her children moved to Decoria Township, where they began renting a farm. Luckily, her children were more than old enough to help with the farm and house work. They were still renting their farm in Decoria in 1910. Even though Christina never remarried, she and her children's hard work paid off and they eventually purchased some land. Sometime between 1910 and 1912, Christina acquired a 48.79-acre farm in the north-central part of Decoria Township, directly bordering the Le Sueur River. This land was also very close to where her parents had lived in the township. Christina only farmed the land for a few years but continued to own the land even after she moved away. Then in 1912, Christina moved to the city of Mankato, where she purchased a house at 207 West 4th Street. In 1920, Christina was working in Mankato as a maid in a hotel. She lived in Mankato for several more years. In about 1927, when she was in her early 60s, she moved in with her daughter Dora Hubmer and family who lived on a farm in Decoria Township, just west of the village of St. Clair. Christina continued living with Dora's family near St. Clair for many more decades. She made at least one trip out west to Portland, Oregon to visit her daughter Bertha and family. Christina remained with Dora's family until 1950, when she moved to a nursing home facility in nearby St. Peter, Minnesota. She died there in 1954 at the age of 88. She died within months of her sisters Ella and Elizabeth. Christina married Henry William Hoffman to November 13, 1888 in Mankato Twp., Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 16. For information on their children, see his page.

Sources:

1. The Kling Family of Denmark and Connecticut with Data of Related Devantier, Busk and Bogh Families, Connecticut Ancestry, Nov. 1984.
2. Research of Peter Alvar Klinge, http://klinge.co.uk
3. 1803 Census, Over-Jerstal, Haderslev, Denmark
4. International Genealogical Index
5. Parish Registers, Rise, Åbenrå, Denmark
6. Tombstone Inscriptions, Decoria Cemetery, Decoria, Blue Earth Co., MN
7. Death Notice of Christian Kling, Mankato Free Press, December 12, 1894
8. Minnesota Death Index, Minnesota Historical Society
9. Assorted US Federal Census Records
10. Obituary of Elizabeth Alexander, Brainerd Daily Dispatch, December 20, 1954
11. Obituary of Ella Miller, Mankato Free Press, May 20, 1954
12. Evergreen Cemetery Records, Brainerd, Minnesota
13. Obituary of Chris S. Kling, Brainerd Tribune, August 1, 1929
14. Death Certificate of Christina Hoffman, 1954, Nicollet Co., MN
15. Genealogical Dates and Records, by Patricia Plymale, c. 1987
16. Original marriage certificates, Blue Earth Co., MN
17. Minnesota Marriage Index, Minnesota Official Marriage System, http://www.mncounty.com/.
18. Parish Registers, Vedsted, Haderslev, Denmark
19. Parish Registers, Gammel Haderslev, Haderslev, Denmark
20. Parish Registers, Moltrup, Haderslev, Denmark
21. Parish Registers, Hammelev, Haderslev, Denmark
22. Parish Registers, Oster Logum, Åbenrå, Denmark
23. Parish Registers, Agerskov, Haderslev, Denmark
24. Parish Registers, Sonder Starup, Haderslev, Denmark
25. Parish Registers, Skrave, Haderslev, Denmark
26. Michigan Death Certificates, 1921-1952