Issue 13, August 2003

John H. Klock, Attorney at Law

John H. Klock is a Director of Gibbon, Del Deo, Doland, Griffinger & Vecchione and Chairman of the Environmental, Construction Law and Real Estate Practice Group. He has been involved in representing clients in major Superfund cases in a number of states, including Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York. He has represented clients before the New Jersey Departments of Environmental Protection in many types of administrative actions. Mr. Klock has handled nationally many large construction matters as well as complicated real estate litigation.

Mr. Klock attended St. Bonaventure University and received his B.A. in 1966. He attended the New York University and received a M.A. in 1970. John also attended the University of Virginia and Rutgers University.

John is a descendent of Hendrick Klock. My common ancestor with John would be John J. Klock Jr. John J. Klock Jr., was married three times, Elizabeth Nellis, Nancy Putnam, and Elizabeth Lampman. John J. Klock fathered a total of 12 children. John H. Klock descends from John and Nancy Putnam where my accentors would be John and Elizabeth Nellis. Nancy Putman was the niece of General Israel Putnam. John J. Klock Jr., fought in the battle of Sacketts Harbor in the War of 1812. John moved his family to Black Lake in northern New York about 1836. He purchased a large track of timber land on the west shore of Black Lake, which later became known as Klock’s Bush. “Most of the Klocks in Northern New York where I am from are descendants of his,” John told me in a recent e-mail.

John H. Klock is married to Connie McLaughlin. Connie is from Montana. John and Connie have two children; Thomas and Jacqueline. John has been to Fort Klock several times, but never during a reunion. “On occasion, when I go back to Gouverneur, New York where I was born, I stop at Fort Klock,” John said. Well John, I would like to invite you and your family to the next Klock Family Reunion that will be held at Fort Klock in 2003. I have your address and I will be sending out notices for the reunion.


Same Newsletter, New Name

I have changed the name of the Klock Family Newsletter. It is now “Klock Connections” I changed it because most of the people who subscribe to the Klock Family Newsletter do not carry the Klock name, but are Klock Connected.

I will continue to use the name Klock Family Newsletter as far as the Bank is concerned. I opened an account at the Bank under Klock Family Newsletter when I first starting doing the newsletter. I deposit the money from subscriptions in this account and use the money to help cover expenses. I have done 12 issues of the newsletter. I have received $840 in subscriptions. I have had $1,030 in expenses.

I used to mail the Newsletter to over 150 people, but had to quit. Now I mail it only to the people who subscribed. Now I have 55 subscribers. I have an average mailing of about 75 each month. I send out free copies to people who request them, I will usually send them three or four copies and if they don not subscribe, I will drop them from my mailing list. I mail one to England and one to Brazil and two or three to Canada.

I have gotten a lot of positive comments on the Newsletter and I hope to be able to continue writing it for many more years. I do need your help. If you could let your families know about the newsletter, maybe I could get more subscriptions. I could use information as well. I spend many, many hours looking for information. If you have a story you would like to share, please send it to me. It does not have to be about some who carried the Klock surname. Klock descendants will do just fine. I am sure that there are many Nellis, Timmermans, Snells, Writhts, Watkins, and Wagners, out there with a story to share. It can be weddings, birth, deaths, or sporting events. Just send them to me and I will be happy to print it in Klock Connections. I would like to thank everyone who has sent me information for the Newsletter. My address and e-mail address is on the front page.


The Klock Family Reunion

Not that the Klock Reunion in Michigan is over, it is time to start planning the one for next year. It will be held in St. Johnsville, New York at Fort Klock. Some to the new cousins I met at the reunion last month have never been to Fort Klock and are looking forward to attending. I have an address list that I will be using to send notices about the next reunion. I have over 250 address that I will be sending post cards. I will keep you informed as plans develop in the newsletter. I hope everyone who receives this newsletter will help spread the word. We had a good turn-out last year at Fort Klock. I home we can do better next year. The picture of the most of the people who attended (some left before the picture was taken) is on line at the Fort Klock Web Page.

www.fortklock.com Check it out.


Old Obituaries

I found a few old Obituaries. I think you will find them interesting. The Obits are from the Canastota Bee, a newspaper in Canstota, New York.

Myron Klock, ( Soloman, John Billinger, George G, Johanguer, and Hendrick Klock

Myron Klock—Canastota Bee – Aug. 31, 1901

Death of Myron Klock

A Respected Resident Passes Away After a Brief Illness.

Myron Klock, an old and highly respected resident of Canastota, died at this home, in East Hickory Street, Thursday evening, August 29, aged 67 years. He was down town Saturday eveing and returned home about 9 o’clock, and shortly afterwards he was thaken with severe cramps. He suffered intense pain and his condition rapidly grew more serious. Death was caused by congestion of the brain.

Mr. Klock was the son of Solman and Nancy Ann Klock, and was born at St. Johnsville, He moved to the town of Lenox about 50 years ago, and for most of is life was engaged in farming; owning a fine farm on Seneca Avenue, just east of this village. For the last eight or ten years he has resided in Canastota. He is survived by a wife and one daughter, Miss. Almeda Klock, one Brother, Theron Klock, of Wampsville, and two sisters, Mrs G.G. Stephens, of South Bay, and Mrs. Nancy E. Weaver, of East Saginaw, Michigan.

Funeral services will be held at the Presbyterian church, Sunday afternoon, at 3 o’clock, and will be attended in a body by members of the Canastota Lodge, No 231 F. & A.M., of which Mr. Klock had long been an honored member. Rev. P.D. Cowan will officate and will be assisted by Rev. C.E. Babcock. George W. Chapman will have charge of the Masonic Ritual. Burial will be made in Mount Pleasant cemetery.

Mr. Klck was a most highly respected member of the community, with a sympathetic genial disposition, and a kind work for everyone. He was a consistent Christian, and had been for some years as a member of the Presbyterian church.


What Is In A Name

I like to call or e-mail new cousins. When ever possible I also like to contact the people I write about in this newsletter. I recently contacted Sally Klock who lives in Ohio. One of the reasons I wanted to contact her was I had read that she did not change her name when she got married and I wanted to find out her reasons. I found her e-mail address on the Fort Klock web site when she signed the Guest Book. I have meet a lot of cousins thru the Fort Klock Guest Book.

For the record her line goes like this: Sally J. Klock (Ward Carl, Lewis Myron, Zebina Robert, Nehemiah, John George, George I., Johannes, Johann Henrick and Hendrick Klock) I asked Sally the reason she did not change he name when she married Michael Kleiman, and this is what she had to say. “My father, Ward Klock, was the last male member of his branch of the family. Even thought I grew up in Johnstown, New York, a small town in the Adirondack foothills about 15 miles north east of St. Johnsville, I never met anyone else with the Klock last name. Thus, my desire to keep the Klock name upon marriage. I always planned to keep my Klock name—even before it became fashionable. My mother used to say to me, “ You are such a Klock”, whenever she thought I was acting too stubborn. So, I decided that I needed to remain who I was, even upon marriage.” Sally said. Sally also told me I was the first relative with the Klock surname she as ever spoken with. I can believe that. I had never seen or spoken with another Klock that was not part of my direct family until four or five years ago.

The Dodge Challenger, belongs to Bob Klock of Sunbury, Pa. Bob has been racing since 1990. His accomplishments are long and his trophies are many in the 12 years he has been drag racing. Bob races at many speedways across the U.S. but his home racetrack is Beaver Springs Raceway in Central Pennsylvania. Bob also has a 1989 Dodge Truck that is making history at Beaver Springs Dragway. Danielle Klock, Bob’s beautiful and talented Daughter, (pictured below) scored five wins in her fathers Dodge Truck in a pilot program for kids in 2000. The program called Teen Championship Racing or “TCR”. The kids ages 13-16 would race their vehicles on the 1/8 mile track with a licensed adult co-driver. Danielle was the first ever TRC Champion. She is pictured receiving her trophy.

Danielle was the first ever TRC Champion. She is pictured receiving her trophy.
1989 Dodge Truck

Bob’s best time is 11.80 at 114 mph.

1994’s Heavy Champion
1994’s Heavy Driver of the Year
1994’s Most Improved Heavy Driver
1996’s Best Appearing Heavy
2000’s Best Appearing Modified

Bob Klock has been married to Pat for 16 years and they have three daughters; Melissa, Stephanie and Danielle.

I talked with Bob on the telephone last week and he does not know his family line beyond his grandfather. His Grandfather’s name was Wilson Klock and his Grandmother’s name was Lucinda. His father’s name is Robert. Like many families, Bob’s family was not close. He told me that there were several Klock families in the area. Where I grew up we were the only Klock family and for all I know in the whole world. My Grandfather’s brother, Ira August Klock moved to Pennsylvania in the late 1800’s. I wonder if Bob could be one of his descendants.

The last page of Issue 13, is Genealogy: The Klock Family Register which is already on line.

Return to Klock Connections Opening Page.

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