MARCUS C. L. KLINE is one of Allentown's prominent lawyers, who at the Bar has gained success and won a high reputation for his skill and ability. He was born in Salisbury Township, Lehigh County, March 26, 1855, and is a son of Edwin and Elemina (Seider) Kline. His father, Lawrence, was also a native of this county, as were his parents, Lawrence and Lydia Kline. The family is of German origin, but was founded in America more than one hundred and fifty years ago. During a long period its representatives lived in the Keystone State, and have been prominent in local affairs. The mother of our subject was also of German lineage.

Marcus Kline spent his early boyhood days on the old homestead and attended the district schools of the neighborhood, where he laid the foundation for a practical education. He then entered Muhlenberg College, from which he was graduated in the Class of '74, at the age of nineteen years. With an earnest desire to follow the legal profession and make the practice of law his life work, he entered the office of Judge Edwin Albright, with whom he continued his studies for two years, when, in June 1876, he was admitted to the Bar. He at once entered upon practice, and has since devoted his time and attention to a general law business. He is an able advocate, who makes a close study of each case on which he is retained as counsel, and therefore, as a result of his preparation, his arguments are logical and convincing and win him success.

October 4, 1881, Mr. Kline wedded Miss Clara M. Keller, daughter of Samuel Keller, of Allentown. By their union have been born two children, Edwin Keller and Althea Lucile. The family is one well known in the community.

Socially Mr. Kline is connected with Barger Lodge, F. & A. M. In 1877 he was elected City Solicitor, which position he filled for two years. In 1880 he was appointed Sheriff's Solicitor by Gov. George Bower, and filled that position for three years. In 1886 he was elected District Attorney, and discharged the duties of that office for three years with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. In 1890 he was again appointed Sheriff's Solicitor, and continued in that office until the spring of 1893. In his political affiliations be is a Democrat and takes a warm interest in the growth and success of his party. He has frequently served as a delegate to its conventions, and was an alternate to the National Convention in Chicago which nominated Grover Cleveland for the presidency. Mr. Kline is widely known, not only in Lehigh County, but throughout the state, as a lawyer and politician of prominence. He has worked his way upward, not through influence, but by merit and earnest effort, and his record is one of which he may be justly proud.