While indexing the July 22, 1898 issue of the Kinston Free Press I noticed this newspaper ad and it caught my eye. Kleber Denmark is certainly an unusual name, so I was interested in seeing if I could learn more about him.

Some quick searching and about 30 minutes later, I was able to find some information about him and thought I’d put together this bio sketch. Who knows? Maybe one of his descendants will be searching for him.

Kleber Denmark was born in August 1866 to Stephen H. & Susan W. Denmark. In 1870, 32 year old Stephen and his 26 year-old wife are living in Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina with 4 year-old Kleber and 6 year-old George. Stephen is listed as merchant with about $2500 worth of real estate. The family also has a 22 year-old Joseph Denmark living with them - I wonder if this may be a brother of Stephen’s? [1, 2]

In 1880 the family has moved to Goldsboro in Wayne County, North Carolina. Their son George is now 15 and son Kleber is 13. Stephen is still in the merchant business. They have a new boarder now - a 28 year-old teacher named George W. Butler. [3]

In 1900 Kleber is a boarder and residing in the household of James Chadwick of Kinston, Lenoir County, whom is married with kids and has several boarders. It is in this census that I learned he was born in the month of August. Kleber’s occupation reflects that of the newspaper ad; jeweler. [4]

By 1910 Kleber has begun his family. He is still in Kinston, now married to wife Florence. Florence was born around 1879 in North Carolina, but her father, Robert M. Starkey was born in Virginia. Her mother, Martha, was born in North Carolina. Florence’s parents live with her and her husband. At this point, Kleber and Florence have been married 10 years and have five children: [5]

• Sherwood - born abt. 1902
• George - born abt. 1904
• Kleber Jr. - born 7 Aug 1905 [6],
• Martha - born abt. 1905
• Staugh - born 21 Dec 1909

In 1920 the family is still in Kinston, with kids Sherwood, George, Kleber Jr. & Martha. Florence’s sister Emma lives with them. [7] Staugh is not listed here, but I think he died. There is a listing for him on the Maplewood Cemetery list, that says he died in 1911, but the birth date as transcribed appears to be wrong. It has 1903 when I think it should be 1909.

In 1930 I cannot locate the family, so that remains for another day. But, I did locate a few gedcoms on Ancestry.com with lineage information on Kebler’s ancestors.

From some Google searching, I found some interesting items - including a notice from a nearby newspaper, The Reflector, that his wife, in 1904 took a visit to her parents. From the Kinston Free Press Index, I found two entries with his name mentioned:

• In April of 1898, Kleber attended a barbeque hosted by the local Odd Fellows
• In July of 1898, Kleber, referred to as “Kleber, the jeweler” spent the evening with a W.A. Wilson

Kleber died July 6, 1935 in Kinston [8] and is buried in Maplewood Cemetery. The cemetery listing of Maplewood Cemetery has more specific information on other family members in case you want to keep on looking! This has been an useful exercise. Now, I know much more about Kebler shoud I run into him again.

[1] U.S. Census. Year: 1870; Census Place: Wilmington, New Hanover, North Carolina; Roll: M593_1151; Page: 425; Image: 555. [see image]
[2] Maplewood Cemetery, Lenoir County, NC - Internments. Cited 16 May 2008. <http://www.ncgenweb.us/lenoir/cems/maplewoodcem.htm>
[3] U.S. Census. 1880; Census Place: Goldsboro, Wayne, North Carolina; Roll: T9_986; Family History Film: 1254986; Page: 435.3000; Enumeration District: 291; Image: 0451. [see image]
[4] U.S. Census. Year: 1900; Census Place: Kinston, Lenoir, North Carolina; Roll: T623 1203; Page: 14A; Enumeration District: 44. [see image]
[5] U.S. Census. Year: 1910; Census Place: Kinston, Lenoir, North Carolina; Roll: T624_1120; Page: 14B; Enumeration District: 62; Image: 703. [see image]
[6] NC Birth Index, 1800 - 2000. Ancestry.com. Cited 16 May 2008. [link]
[7] U.S. Census. Year: 1920;Census Place: Kinston Ward 2, Lenoir, North Carolina; Roll: T625_1308; Page: 32A; Enumeration District: 59; Image: 830. [see image]
[8] North Carolina Death Collection, 1908-2004. Ancestry.com. Cited 16 May 2008. [link]

From the Kinston Free Press
22 Jul 1898

LaGrange News — Little Pearl JONES was gored by Reubin ATMORE’s ox on Tuesday but not seriously hurt. Intervention in time saved her possibly from death.

And then, in the very same issue is this notice — Mrs. H.D. STANLY was gored by a cow yesterday.  Dr. HYATT attended her.  She was not seriously injured.
What was with the animals in Kinston that week?

Kinston Free Press - 20 Jul 1898

Died.  Mrs. Sudie ELLIS, wife of Mr. C.W. CRABTREE, and niece of Mr. J.H ELLIS, died this morning at 12:30 o’clock.  She was born in Pitt county, and was about 31 years old.  She died of malarial fever.  Her remains will be interred at the cemetery this afternoon at 6 o’clock, the funeral service being conducted by Rev. G.N. BRAY.  She leaves behind one child, a year old.  We extend sympathy to the bereaved husband and relatives.

Kinston Free Press - 20 Jul 1898

Married. Mr. H.E. MOSELEY and Miss Jessie M. HARPER were married this afternoon at 4 o’clock, at the house of the bride’s mother, Mrs. C.W. HARPER, Rev. D.H. PETREE officiating. It was a quiet home wedding, only a few friends being present. They left on the 4:32 train for Morehead City, where they will spend their honeymoon.

The bride is one of Kinston’s loveliest young ladies. The groom is one of our substantial business men and a most excellent and valuable citizen. The Free Press extends its congratulations and very best wishes.

Kinston Free Press
20 Jul 1898

Glenfield Items

• Mr. E. D. DIXON visited at Hookerton last Sunday.
• Mr. L.H. SYLIVANT, of Hookerton, spent Sunday evening near here
• Miss Stella WARTERS visited Miss Belle PRIDGEN Saturday night and Sunday
• Most all the young people of this section attended quarterly meeting at Hull Road Sunday.
• Messrs. B.F.D. ALBRITTON, of Greenville, and J.E. ALBRITTON, of Hookerton, visited near here Monday afternoon.
• Miss May BROOKS, of near Grifton, who had been spending some time with Miss Genie ARTHUR, returned home Sunday.
• We have been having some very hot days recently.  Watermelons are beginning to put in an appearance now, which are very acceptable.

Kinston Free Press
21 Jul 1898

Mr. Louis WEBB, who was raised in Newbern and lived there before the civil war, and who married Miss Caroline PHILLIPS there, died Wednesday morning, July 20th, in Brooklyn, aged over 80 years. The body was taken to Newbern this afternoon, accompanied by his wife, for burial. Mrs. WEBB is a cousin of or townsman, Mr. S.H. ABBOTT.

Kinston Free Press
21 Jul 1898

Hugo Items

• Mr. Bob NELSON is smiling. It’s a great big girl.
• Mr. W.P. GILBERT is smilig too. It’s a fine boy.
• Mr. David JONES, of Ormondsville, spent today with us
• Mrs. Bertie MCCOY has returned from visiting her brother in Pitt county
• Master Jesse JOHNSON, son of Mrs. Pattie JOHNSON, fell through a cart yesterday afternoon and peeled the flesh from his bone about six inches long from ankle to knee.
• I am sorry to announce the death of Mr. John HOOTEN’s little girl, Lena. She was taken sick Sunday night and died Monday morning. The burial took place at Sharon Tuesday afternoon.
• Mr. Robert HARRIS’ little girl, Sidney, died Tuesday morning in the same house. Mr. HOOTEN’s little girl was taken out for burial and Mr. HARRIS’ little girl was put in the same cradle a corpse. Mr. HARRIS’ little girl will be buried at Edwards’ Chapel this afternoon.

Kinston Free Press
21 Jul 1898

Lousin Swamp Items

•  Miss Hattie PARROTT is visiting Mrs. J.F. MEWBORNE
• Mr. Erroll DIXON, of Kinston, is visiting Mr. L.O. MOSELY
• Mrs. S.B. TAYLOR visited relatives over the river last week
• Mr. J.M. HARPER left Saturday to visit Mr. Robert HODGES
• Mr. and Mrs. L.C. MOSELY spent Sunday at Mr. Parrott HARDEE’s
• Mr. Marvin ORMOND, of Ormondsville, was in this section a short while last week.
• The farmers in this section are very busy - curing tobacco and laying by the other crops
• Miss Bessie HARDING, who had been visiting in this vicinity, left for Ormondsville last Saturday.

Kinston Free Press
21 Jul 1898

Miss Mamie Tolson died late yesterday evening. The news of her death was a surprise to a great many, as it was not generally known she was sick until yesterday morning. Miss Tolson was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.J. Tolson. Miss Tolson was very popular among the young people, and was the chief promoter of the pleasure of her associates. A good girl, of a gentle, sweet disposition and loved by all. Though her death causes great grief, we bow in humble submission to the divine will of a higher power above.

Kinston Free Press
July 21, 1898

The Republican National Convention — Three counties (Onslow, Jones and Cateret) bolted the Republican judicial convention held Thursday at Warsaw, at which C.P. LOCKEY was nominated for judge.

Onslow, Jones, Lenoir, Greene and Carteret delegates opposed making a nomination for judge until after the State convention. Resolutions were passed endorsing the State and national administrations.

J.E. CAMERON was named as executive commiteeman from Lenoir. R.D.S. DIXON from Greene. Abe MIDDLETON, colored, of Duplin, and John T. HOWE, colored, of New Hanover, were made committeemen at large.

It is understood that the delegates from Greene, Onslow, Jones, Cateret and Lenoir want the Populists to have the judgeship, while the Lockey adherents are dead opposed to that course. The three counties which withdrew from the convention are each entitled to a representative on the executive committee, if they demand it, and in anticipation that they will make the demand and then would have a majority of the committee, including the two committeemen from Greene and Lenoir, they have been forestalled by adding two members at large to the committee. The LOCKEY men thus prevent the opposition form getting control of the committee, in which event the committee might “take down” Mr. LOCKEY and “put up” a Populist candidate for judge.

A resolution was adopted favoring fusion - the Republicans to take the judgeship, the Populists, the solicitorship. RICHARDSON will probably be renominated for solicitor by the Populists.