History of Berks County, Pennsylvania
Compiled by:  Morton L. Montgomery
Volume II
Published:  JH Beers + Co 1901 Chicago
Page 941

  John C. Kleinschmidt, a well known farmer in Exeter township, Berks
county, was born in Reading, PA., May 13, 1865, son of John George 
Kleinschmidt.  The father was born in the village of Balfanz, Prussia,
Germany, August 22, 1809.  In 1835 he married, his wife's maiden name 
being Klemtz, and their union was blesses with four children, Augustus,
Frederick, Caroline (wife of George Mayer) and Earnst.  The mother of 
these died in Germany in 1844, and in 1847 he married her sister,
Dorethy Henrietta Klemtz.  To them were born eight children:  Mollie,
who married Rev. E Meister, a minister of Lancaster, PA.; Wilhelmina,
who became the wife of George P. Ganster; Julius; William; Emelia, wife
of Jacob Baureithel; Mary, who married Adam Moyer; John C., and George.
  Mr. Kleinschmidt with his wife and family emigrated to America, 
locating in Reading, PA., June 21, 1862, and there he was engaged as
carpenter; for many years he was employed by the Philadelphia & Reading
Railroad Company.  His second wife died Jan. 24, 1869, and he died 
Aug. 5, 1874.  Both were buried at Reading.
  John C. Kleinschmidt attended the parochial schools and also the 
public schools, and when old enough to go to work found employment 
among the neighboring farmers.  He then learned shoemaking at Oley 
Line, and this trade he followed for several years.  On Sept. 17, 1886,
he located at Allentown, PA., where he carried on the shoemaking 
business successfully for six years.  Failing health caused him to 
abandon his trade, and he returned to farming at Pleasantville, in 
Oley township, where he remained two years, at the end of that time 
going to Yellow House, where he farmed for eight years.  His next 
location was a Stonersville, Exeter township, and after two years 
there he took possession of Judge Endlich's farm, in Lower Alsace 
township, where he was for three years.  In 1907 he bought the 
Augustus Schlegel farm of 150 acres in Exeter township, located 
along the Philadelphia & Reading railroad, between Neversink and 
Lorane.  Mr. Kleinschmidt's success is wholly the result of his 
own industry and business ability, and he deserves great credit 
for the position he has attained.
  On May 19, 1888, Mr. Kleinschmidt married Amanda E. Fetzer, 
daughter of Edwin and Mary Fetzer, of Allentown, PA., and they 
have had children as follows:  Katie, George, Claude (deceased), 
Chester, Howard, Minnie, John, Bertha (deceased), Jacob, Mabel and 
Walter.  In politics Mr. Kleinschmidt is a stanch adherent to Democratic
principles, and for five years he gave very efficient service as justice 
of the peace, of Oley township.  He is a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle.  
With his wife and family he attends the Faith Lutheran Church, of Mt. Penn, 
PA. Both Mr.  and Mrs. Kleinschmidt are highly esteemed.