Klock Connections

Issue 14, September 2002

Klocks Down Under

Mathew Klock lives in the suburbs of Melbourne, Australia. He was born on June 2, 1982. He is 19 years old and has lived in Melbourne all his life. He lives with Mum, Dad, his brother and sister. Mathew's Father, Manfred Klock was born in Germany and moved to Australia with his parents when he was about 5 years old. His mother's, (Anna) family moved to Australia in the early 1600's Mathew has a little brother Benjamin and a little sister, Stephanie. His Grandparents, Aunt and Uncle and cousins live near Sidney. "I visit them every so often with my parents," according to Mathew. It is about four hours by auto. "I attended two year old kindergarten at Mentone Preschool in 1984, where I met a large number of my good friends, who I continued my school life with through primary school and even secondary school. In July 1984, my sister, Stephanie was born, which came as a shock when Mum received her as a sort of birthday present- they both have the same birthday, 13 July. Spooky.

Mathew runs his own company called, "Your Move Productions." He works in the Information Technology Industry. providing support and services in Software and Web Design. He also works for Ticket master 7 at Colonial Stadium selling tickets for the AFL games. (Australian Football League) He also works for Event Management on projects such as Canteen Carols in Mordiallo and Rock Eisteddfod Challenge and other small events. Mathew also does volunteer work at the Royal Children’s Hospital on events like Good Friday Appeal. Mathew answers the phone and takes donations for the Hospital.

Mathew's fave movie is Chain Reaction, and his fave music is U2 "and basically anything except Hanson and the Spice Girls, " said Mathew. Mathew says he likes to build websites, meeting new people and listening to the radio.

I contacted Mathew ( by e-mail) and he gave my e-mail to his Father, Manfred. Manfred emailed me and on Monday morning August 12th about 7:30 a.m. (9:30 p.m. Australia time) I got a phone call from Manfred. " There are not a lot of Klock Families in Australia, " according to Manfred who is presently a Truck Driver and helps Mathew with his Web Design Company. He used to work for the Phone Company in Melbourne as a Supervisor, but was laid of a while back. Besides Manfred’s brothers family and his parents, he thinks there is only one other Klock Family in Australia, but he has never met them. Australia is a very large island. It is almost a large as the Continental United States. So it is really an Island Continent.

Manfred moved to Australia, with his parents in 1957 after WWII. Manfred father, Dierich Klock was a Germany Soldier in WWII. and fought on the Russian Front. His Grandfather was also a German Soldier and fought for Germany inWW1. and WWII.

Manfred has an Uncle who still lives in Germany. "My Father had to prove his background to the Germans and trace in family back five generations to prove there was no Jewish Blood, " according to Manfred. His father still has this line. I know there are several other Klock families in Germany. I have tried to contact a few but I have not yet got a response from them. I think mostly because of the language barrier.

I could not read the web page I found the e-mail address on and they may not have been able to read my e-mail too them. I did talk a little with Manfred about 9-11. He was angered by the attack, and expressed his concern for his cousins in the U.S. He watched the horror unfold on TV like a lot of did that day. Manfred is going to send me some pictures. If I get them in time I will put one or two in this Newsletter. His family is planning a trip to Bangkok. They have visited Hong Kong several times. Let us know about your trip.

Klock's have fought on both of the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, WW-I and WW-II. , Manfred is the first I have talked too who family fought on the German side of both WWI and WW-II. I am glad those horrible wars is over and the United States now considers Germany as our friends.

Obituary: Chester Alfred Klock
Cartoonist Klock drew on local lore
By Claire Martin
Denver Post Staff Writer

Thursday, June 27,2002 -Chester Alfred Klock, 88, whose "Plumb Local" cartoon appeared on the editorial page of The Denver Post between 1946 and 1953, died Tuesday at his home in Scottsdale, Ariz., of complications following surgery. Klock, a Boulder native, began his cartooning career in 1937, starting as a freelancer in Duluth, Minn. Knowing as he put it the Klock family journal, that" there were few employment opportunities for would-be-artists," he went To the Duluth Library and made a list of20 magazine and newspaper editors who might by his work. A few weeks later, he was selling cartoons to special interest publications, including Glass Digest, a trade journal; Minnesota Farmer; and Successful Farming. He earned $5.00 to $25.00 per cartoon. In early 1942, the Duluth Herald hired Klock to draw six cartoons a week. He called the feature "Plumb Local. "It ceased when the United States entered World War II that December. Klock, who wrote that he " wanted to do my part in bringing this war to a close," moved his family to Wisconsin to work for Allis-Chalmers. When the war ended in 1945, the Klocks moved to Denver. He showed his "Plumb Local" work to Palmer Hoyt, the new publisher of the Post. Hoyt Described as " a pleasant and profitable relationship."

The Klock moved to California in 1953, where Mr. Klock started a new cartoon, "Familiar Faces, "A feature on local business leaders. It appeared in more that 100 newspapers throughout California and Colorado. Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Dorothy Davey Klock; daughters Carol Ann Howard of Mesa, Ariz, Darleen Brumley of Arcadia, Calif., And Janice Lynn Hanrahan Pinzenscham of Aurora; Son Chester "Chet" Jr. of Arcata, Calif; Brother Donald of Ohio; and nine grandchildren. Note: I will try and contact the family of Chester Alfred Klock and find out their line. I will let you know what I find in out in " Klock Connections."

Keith and Nancy Brown Celebrate Silver Wedding Anniversary

Nancy Brown (Carl Klock, Grantison Klock, Isaac Klock, Christian Klock, John J. Klock Jr., John J. Klock, Johannes Klock, Hendrick Klock.) Keith and Nancy Brown of Millington, Michigan will celebrate their Silver Wedding Anniversary on September 17, 2002. Nancy is the daughter of Carl Klock and Lucille Hulverson. They were married in Sandusky, Michigan on September 17, 1977. Keith and Nancy have three children, Leta Marion, Christine, and Keith Earl Brown II. Congratulations on 25 years of marriage. May you have many, many more.

David James Klock (David Klock, Carl Klock, Jacob Klock, Ira Klock, Isaac Klock, Christian Klock, John J. Klock Jr., John J. Klock, Johannes Klock, Hendrick Klock) of South Haven, Michigan and Kristy Gilbert of Rogers City, Michigan exchanged wedding vows on July 27,2002 in Westminister Park, Rogers City, Michigan. David is the son of David W. Klock and Shelley Inman, of South Haven, David is employed at Gentex Corporation in Holland, Michigan. This is the second marriage for both David and Kristy.

Kristy has a daughter from her first marriage, Emily who is 10 years old. Welcome to the family, Kristy and Emily.
Dad

The Daytona Beach Connection.

Sharon Yates of Daytona Beach, Florida sent me a package of information on her branch of the Klock Family Tree. She also send me several pictures of her family. Sharon line runs like this, Sharon, Betty Ann Klock, Guy Almeron Klock, James Orville Klock, Luther Klock, John J. Klock Jr., John J. Klock, Johannes Klock and Hendrick Klock "My Grandfather, after my mother was born, made several trips to New York to visit his family. My mother remembers sitting on the window of the house, Fort Klock and the windows ledge was more than a foot thick." Sharon told me in her letter. Sharon included several pictures of her Grandfather and some pictures of Fort Klock. There is four generation of the descendents of Guy Klock living in Florida.. Guy's only son, Floyd died in WWII, so when Guy Klock, died that ended the Klock name on his branch of the Klock Family. " I am very proud of my ancestry, I am a member of the DAR, DAC, NEW, and on my Grandmother's side of the family, I am in the UDC." Sharon told me. Sharon and her sister are looking forward to the Next Klock Family Reunion to be held at Fort Klock and hope to be able to attend. Sharon could use some help to locate two lines of her Grandfather's. She is looking for information on Nancy Putman who married John J. Klock Jr. "Nancy is suppose to be the daughter of Capt. Isaac Putnam, but I have not been able to prove the connection." she told me. She is also looking for the line on Zelphia Tupper. Zelphia married Luther Klock. Zelphia's father is supposed to be Orville Tupper but she has not been able to locate her mother or to connect Orville Tupper to the Tupper Family. "If anyone in the family could suggest a lead or have information, please let me know." You can contact Sharon at the e-mail address: roseothollyhill@cs.com "We sure do come from a great family that served their country from the beginning and we all need to be very proud of each and everyone of them," Sharon said. Maybe I should compile a "hero list" and publish it in the Newsletter... What do you think... e-mail me and let me know.

Johannes Klock, And The Fortified
Stone House He Called Home.

Johannes Klock was the son of Hendrick Klock and was born in West Camp, Columbia, New York on Oct. 30, 1711. He was the first Klocks born in this country that I am descended. Johannes Klock married Anna Margretha Fox who was born Jan. 3, 1713. Anna was the daughter of William Fox Sr. and Anna Margretha Kast. Johannes and Anna had eight children. Anna Elizabeth, Dorothy, Johannes Jost, Jacob 1., Catharine, Henrich Johannes, Barbara, and Magdalena. Johannes Klock was the owner of the land that Fort Klock was erected upon. He contracted a builder to erect the home in 1750, as the date cut in one of the stones of the building, together with the name of the builder, William Peek, who was probably the master mason. There are several building in St. Johnsville that were erected before 1750 that still stand today, but Fort Klock would be considered one of the oldest homesteads still standing in the area. Fort Klock was the birthplace of many generations of the Klock family. Fort Klock was in the hands of the descendents of Johannes Klock for over 180 years. Johannes had the home constructed on the river bank a half-mile from the main trail. This location was ideal for a Trading Post being visible from the river for river travelers and fur traders. There is also a living stream that bubbles up in the celler floor. This was a source of water for the inhabitants of the home and a cool place to store food and supplies. To help keep the home warm in the cold winters the walls were double thick with Debris on the inside as a crude form of insulation. The home of Johannes Klock is not the Fort Klock of the Revolution but it was used as a place of refuge for those who lived in the area during the French and Indian War and during the Revolutionary War. Johannes Klock would have been close to sixty when the war of Independence broke out so how much service he did see I do not known. Johannes, was a strong supporters for the cause of liberty, Johannes would have gave moral support and aid the Militia whenever he could. Johannes had three sons were in the militia the Revolution. His son, John J. Klock fought at the battle of Oriskany.

Johannes was a militiaman in the French and Indian War, as records at Albany showed that he served under his Uncle, then Captain Jacob Klock. Jacob Klock was of the son of Hendrick Klock. Jacob Klock was a Colonel during the Revolutionary War. All but one of the sons of Hendrick Klock fought in the Revolutionary War. Hendrick's son Adam and two of his grandchildren died in the battle at Oriskany. Johannes survived the ambush and was able to return to his family who lived at Fort Klock at the time.

The depression took it toll on the Klock family that lived on the farm in the 1930's. Lipe Klock had died in 1936 leaving three small children and a wife. The barn burned and Clara, Lipe's wife could not support herself and her family on the farm any longer so she moved her family in town. Then the farm was vandalized and fell into decay. The home of Johannes Klock that was constructed in 1750 was in danger and had fallen into ruin. That is when the Tryon County Mussel Loaders, Inc., now known as the Fort Klock and Indian Castle Historic Restoration took over. They began restoring the Fort. A man by the name of Willis Barshied Jr. ( Skip) was the driving force behind the restoration of Fort Klock. Skip got others to helped and they came and went. Skip stuck with it.

Today, the home of Johannes Klock has been restored to what it would have looked like in 1750. It is an excellent example of what a mid18thCentury structure would have looked like. I got the chance to met Willis (Skip) Barshied Jr. at the last Klock Reunion. He showed my wife, Darla and I around the sites of St. Johnsville and the surrounding area. We got to see his work at some of the other building he has restored. The Man is remarkable, his workmanship precise and his knowledge of the past truly amazing. Fort Klock would have fell into ruin, with out Skip and the home of Johannes Klock, this piece of history would have been lost forever. To me, and to a lot of other descendants of Johannes Klock, Fort Klock is home To sit in one of the chairs at Fort Klock or look out one of the loop-holes that were used to protect the occupants of the Fort during Indian uprising, the French and Indian War as well as the Revolution, brings a feeling of belonging that I can not describe. It is as if the spirits of those who were born and died in that old stone house, open up their arms and welcomes you to their home.

Is Fort Klock Haunted?

I have heard that Fort Klock is haunted. Does anyone have a story that they would like to share with the rest of us. How about you Adam? Do you have a story? You were the last Klock born at the Fort. I would love to hear it. Margot how about you, do you have a ghost story you would like to share? I have felt something every time I have visited the Fort. I would love to spend the night in that old stone house. I would like to sleep on a mattress on the floor in the Kitchen. If it is haunted, it seems like that would be the most active place for ghosts. If they were ghosts, it would also be the closest way out... ..Maybe I better be careful what I wish for. If you have a story you would like to share, please send it to me. If you do not want me to use your name, let me know and I will not let anyone know where I heard the story. I think others would love to hear your ghost story, Sharon you said your mother has visited the Fort when she was young when the Fort was still owned by the Klock Family... Does your Mother have a story she would like to share, or maybe her mother or father told her a few stories about the Fort when they visited Lipe and his family. You can write me at the address on the front of this Newsletter or you can e-mail me or send me a letter at the address on the front page.