Joseph Kline was born in Lowhill township, Dec. 24, 1813. He was educated in the local schools and in a private school in New Jersey, after which he learned the milling trade, and in 1848 rebuilt the mill at Lyon Valley, which he operated seventeen years. He planned and built the first threshing machine in the county and invented a machine for cleaning grain and a washing machine, both of which were patented and are now in use. He was also an adept at wood-carving. In 1865, he removed to Allentown, where he died at his residence, 921 Hamilton Street, on Dec. 16, 1901. He married Anna, daughter of Joseph Wetherhold, who was born Oct. 5, 1819, and died Feb. 16, 1906. They had five children, three of whom grew to maturity: Emeline, married to John Bower; Maria, married Henry Faust; and Henry A. Kline.