South Bend news-times., 1922-07-14

Frederick Christian Klein. Judge
Of the ST. Joseph superior court 40.
?, died at his home. 629 W COlfax
av., at 6:25 o'clock last night follow
ing an illness Of eight months.
Death was due TO heart trouble.
The passing OF Judge Klein, while
not entirely unexpected owing to the
nature of his illness. came as a dis
tinct shock. Shortly after he was
stricken last November, his fight for
life was considered hopeless. but he
rallied and was well on the road
TO recovery when he was attacked
with the heart complication that ter
minated his highly successful career
in the prime of his life.
Judge Klein was but Al years old
and had been a resident Of this city
since 1904. on MAY Is, 1912 he was
married 10 Miss Alice Bostwick. who
survives him, as do two children,
Frederick - Klein. Jr, and Mar
tina B. Klein, eight and six years
old.
Judge Klein was born at Noun
tain Lake. Mimi. on Dec. Il. 1850.
and received his legal training at
the University of Michigan, from
which institution he graduated He
came to South Bend when ne was
q years old and began the practice
OF law his legal ability being recog-
nized early by all members of the
St. Joseph county bar
When the agitation for the crea-
ton of a third court was begun.
Judge Klein although not a candi-
date for the judgeship then, lent his
aid in securing the passage of the
measure. His influence in this was
wide spread because of the impor-
tant position he held at that time
as ST. Joseph county republican
chairman.
Following the creation of the
court, Judge Klein became a candi-
date for the office only upon the in
sistence OF his friends. and he was
appointed 10 the bench by Gov. War.
rem T. McCray
II was in 1919 that Judge Klein
was elected republican chairman for
St. Joseph county. and his untiring
and jealous eforts in that campaign
and also in that of 1920 is attribut-
ed in part by his friends. as one Of
the factors that undermined his
health
Highest Qualifications as Judge
Although interested in many busi-
ness ventures. Judge Klein confin-
ed his activity strictly 10 legal mat
ters. He was regarded on the bench
as possessing the highest qualifca-
tions for a Judge and the rare judg-
ment displayed by him in the ad-
judicatiOn OF court business found
much favor with the members Of
the bar. Ltigants before his court
declared that he possessed the Judi
cial temperament so necessary for
the conduct Of the county tribunal,
especially az a time when the dock
cts were crowded with pressing busi-
ness.
Il was often said OF Judge Klein
that he was always willing and ready
to listen 10 a plea and his kindly
manner in dealing with. the pleaders
at the bar won him instant favor.
Judge Klein supervised the con-
strucion OF the new superior court
room, which is regarded as one OF
the finest courtrooms in the state,
differing materially from the larger
halls Of Justice. IL was Judge Klein
who worked out the arrangement be-
tween superior courts Nos One and
Two. wherein, the judges changed
court rooms IN order TO handle jury
cases. a system which has been
found TO be very practicable and sat
isfactory.
In the two political campaigns in
which he represented the republican
forces as chairman. his leadership
was Of a kind that brought success.
without having had previous exper-
iencs before IN this Line OF endeavor.