My Genealogy Hound

CHARLES KICHLINE is one of the well-to-do farmers and highly esteemed citizens of Lower Saucon Township, Northampton County. At various times he has been honored with positions of trust and responsibility, and is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party. For six years, while a resident of Lehigh Township, he served as School Director, and was also Supervisor for two years. Since casting in his lot with the residents of this township he has acted as School Director, Assistant Assessor and Supervisor. In the fall of 1893 he was elected Commissioner of Northampton County, and is still serving in that capacity.

The family of which our subject is a worthy representative were originally residents of Germany, and were numbered among the early settlers of Bucks County, Pa. In that region occurred the birth of the grandfather, John Kichline, who followed the blacksmith’s trade, and his entire life was spent in the county of his nativity. He was a Democrat, and religiously a member of the Reformed Church. By his marriage with a Miss Hinckel he had two sons, John and Jacob, both of whom are now deceased. The latter, our subject’s father, was also born in Bucks County, and in his early life operated a farm, in connection with which he conducted a distillery. After coming to this county he engaged in the mercantile business in Lower Saucon, and also owned and operated a flouring-mill. He became quite well-to-do, and was a leading Democrat of this locality. His death resulted from an apoplectic stroke in September, 1852, and he was placed to rest in the cemetery of Williams Township. To himself and wife, formerly Christiana Schliefer, were born eleven children, only four of whom survive.

Charles Kichline was born June 30, 1837, in Bucks County, and pursued his elemetary studies in the public schools of Lower Saucon Township. His boyhood was passed on his father’s farm, and with the latter he learned the milling business. In his early manhood he devoted about thirteen years to that calling, after which he returned to agriculture, and has since devoted his energies to carrying on his farm. For some years he engaged in raising cattle, and for a time was employed in the butchering business.

In 1854 Mr. Kichline was married to Lucy Ann, daughter of James M. Behm, of this township. They have had a family of fourteen children, three of whom, Emma R., Peter Calvin and Christiana, are deceased. Of the others all are married with the exception of four. They are named as follows: William, Ida M., James J., George H., Charles W., John, Annie C., Rosa A., Thomas T., Alfred J. and Harry B. Mr. and Mrs. Kichline have eleven grandchildren. The former is a member of the Reformed Church, and holds the position of Trustee in the same at the present time.