The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-05-18
BERNHARD KLEIN,
 PIONEER MERCHANT, SUMMONS
Peaceful Passing At Family Home Surrounded By We'll
 Beloved Offspring.
Latter Years of. Life Devoted to Works of Charity, Always UnostentatiousIy = Reached Ripe Old Age.

Ripe Old Age.
 Widespread sorrow was occasioned by news of the death early Sunday of Bernhard Klein, one of the most prominent Jewish residents of Bridge port and widely known in New Eng land. His death occurred at his llome, 4s9 Norman street, and was primarily due to an attack of penumonia, al-s though MT. Klein had not been in good health for a year or two. He was al-3 most IS years of age. His end came peacefully like one falling into restfuI slqlznber. s2
 MT. Klein was practically the last of that group of pioneer merchants who helped lay the foundation which occasioned the marvellous growth of Bridgeport His career and life work should be an inspiration to young men. Left an orphan when 12 years of age and forced to shift for himself Afr. Klein by industry and persever- ance built fine business and amassed a competence so that before the fulI-s ness of years were upon him he was able to retire and while enjoying fully, sccial and fraternal relations, he was able to go about many works of char ity in the whole hearted and free handed manner which characerized all his dealings through life.
 MT. Klein was born in DaImstadt Germany in. 1883. In less than a month, had he lived, he would have reached his S1st birthday. He at- tended schools in his native town, but when he reached the age of 12 his pa- rents died and he was fonced to care for. himself In 1852 his elder brother, Moses Klein, came to America and Bernhard, then 19 years of ag9 fol- lowed him a. few months later Moses had come to Bridgeport and here the deceased came also. Here he has lived ever since. kprospering as the cornrrla1 J nfty prospered and one of the most notable examples of what the honest, industrious and sturdy Immigrant stock has donerfor this coun try
 soon after. his arrival here, MT. Klein and his brother formed a part nershfp and opened their first little dry good, millinery and notion busi- ness in a, small wooden building which stood where is now the banking house of T. l.. Watson & Go. The business grew so that at the outbreak of the Civil war they were obliged to seek larger quarters and they moved across the street to the stores now occupied by ChamberIin and Shrou- shire and the Newark Shoe Go. The firm name was K Klein and Brother and business was carried on at this To- cation until 1888. when both broth. ers retired.
 s MT Klein and his brother were Of that group Of old time merchants such as Hall & Read. Birdseye & Morgan. Palmer & McCord and others of the period. With the exception of Daniel N. Morgan, who still lives, MT. Klein was the last of the group. Though others have ended their life work like him, they had a. large part in building for the prosperity which this city now enjoys.
 atss One r,f inc fI7f1, a success of the firm of M Klein & Brother, was their devotion to each other and their great fidelity in their long association. both in and out of. business. There never was a harsh word between them. This serenity of spirit marked MT. KIein,s life and to know him was to love him and respect him. This fine spirit between the brothers had it's effect on the bus- mess and the firm name was always good.
 Because Of the close relation ex- isting between them, the death of his brother Moses, which occurred in 1906 was severe shock to MT Klein In. fact it is doubtful if he fully recov- cred from it. He was seriously i'll for long time afterward and never again displayed his former vigor.
 MT. Klein married in 1880, Miss Mary LoWenthaI of New ork, and h., of whom survive. Mrs. Klein died about two years ago. but two years be- fore that in 1910. she with Mir Klein celebrated their golden wedding am- niversary by a reception at the Strat- field hotel. Guests were present on that occasion from all over New Eng land. from New York and other states.
 The children who survive are: At torney Jacob B. Klein and Mrs. Eli L. Lesser of Bridgeport. Mrs. Hiram Strauss of Cleveland, Milton M. Klein, vice. president of B. Altman & Co.,, of New York; Mrs. M J. Boucher and Miss Belle Klein of Bridgeport
 MT. Klein was especially kind ana loving to his family and took full measure of pride and pleasure in watching them grow to be successful men and women. Filia1 love was equal ly strong with them. They loved their father deeply and so great was though the end was not unexpected, the children are prostrated at the ac- tual parting.
 MT. Klein took an active interest in all municipal affairs and was keen in the performance of his duties of citi- zenship in regard to always register ing his vote and taking part in the affairs of his party. He was a Dem ocrat of the old school and although a number of times to ac- cept positions of trust in the city gov ernment, office holding had no charms for him and he always de- c1ined.
 Always active in charitable work and especially more so since his re- tirement from business, MT. Klein went about doing good deeds in an unostentatious manner. He gave di- rect aid to the needy and most of what he did never got on the record books of any charitable society al- though he was very active in He-