Representative Marcus Charles Lawrence Kline

Marcus Charles Lawrence Kline (March 26, 1855 – March 10, 1911) was an American lawyer, businessman, and Democratic politician who served two terms as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania from 1903 to 1907. Over the course of his career, he combined legal practice, public office, and banking leadership, and played an active role in both local and national Democratic Party affairs.

Kline was born on March 26, 1855, in Emmaus, Pennsylvania. He was educated in the region and went on to attend Muhlenberg College in nearby Allentown, Pennsylvania. At Muhlenberg, he was a member of the Chi Phi fraternity, an affiliation that reflected his early engagement in collegiate and civic life. His education at Muhlenberg provided the foundation for his subsequent legal and political career in Lehigh County and the broader Allentown area.

After completing his studies, Kline pursued the law. He studied in preparation for the bar and was admitted to practice in 1876. He commenced his legal career in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where he quickly became involved in public service. In 1877, only a year after his admission to the bar, he was appointed city solicitor of Allentown, an early indication of the confidence placed in his legal abilities and his growing prominence in local affairs.

Kline’s public career advanced steadily in Lehigh County. He served as district attorney for Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, from 1887 to 1890, prosecuting criminal cases and representing the county in legal matters. In addition to his official responsibilities, he became increasingly active in Democratic Party politics. From 1895 to 1899, he served as chairman of the Democratic Party in Lehigh County, helping to organize and lead the party’s activities in the region and solidifying his position as a key Democratic figure in eastern Pennsylvania.

Alongside his legal and political work, Kline developed significant interests in banking and business. He served as president of the Lehigh Valley Trust Company from 1899 to 1906, overseeing its operations during a period of economic growth and industrial expansion in the Lehigh Valley. His leadership in the financial sector complemented his legal expertise and enhanced his standing as a businessman in Allentown and the surrounding communities.

Kline’s prominence in law, business, and party leadership led to his election to the United States Congress. A member of the Democratic Party, he was elected as a Democrat to the Fifty-eighth and Fifty-ninth Congresses, serving as a Representative from Pennsylvania from 1903 to 1907. During these two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, he contributed to the legislative process and represented the interests of his constituents during a significant period in American history marked by rapid industrialization and political realignment. His service in Congress reflected his longstanding engagement with the democratic process and his commitment to the concerns of his district. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1906, choosing instead to return to private pursuits.

After leaving Congress in 1907, Kline resumed the practice of law in Allentown and continued his involvement in banking. He became president of the Allentown Trust Company, a position he held from 1907 until his death in 1911, further cementing his role as a leading figure in the city’s financial community. He also remained active in national politics, serving as a delegate to the 1908 Democratic National Convention, where he participated in the party’s deliberations at the national level.

Marcus Charles Lawrence Kline died in Allentown, Pennsylvania, on March 10, 1911, at the age of 55. He was interred in Fairview Cemetery in Allentown. His career encompassed service as a lawyer, city solicitor, district attorney, party chairman, bank president, and United States Representative, reflecting a life devoted to public service, professional achievement, and civic leadership in Pennsylvania.