John and Elizabeth Klein: a couple lost to history

VICKSBURG, Miss. by Evan Winschel (VDN) — Today’s featured spotlight is dedicated to John and Elizabeth Klein.

Dust stirred up from the street as a carriage transported the newlywed Kleins along the hills of town. A lot had changed over the last several years after their paths first crossed in New Orleans in 1840. Like many young men before him, John Klein had found great financial success along Vicksburg’s riverbanks when he moved to town from Virginia in 1836. Quickly establishing a respectably sized fortune and the admiration of his peers, he soon found that the only thing missing was someone to share it with.

On a chance encounter in New Orleans he made the acquaintance of Elizabeth Bartley Day of Ohio and immediately singled her out as his future companion. The only hindrance being her father’s opinion that her 14 years of age was entirely too young to marry the 28-year-old Klein. Invoking the virtue of patience, John bided his time and continued to court Elizabeth. All the while he began work on a grand gesture to present her with when the time was right.

In 1842 John finally received her father’s blessing and joined with her in union at the more respectable age of 16. As a tangible display of his affection for his new wife, he presented her with the gift of Cedar Grove before taking her on a year long honeymoon abroad. While overseas, the newlyweds spared no expense when it came to purchasing items for their new home. Italian marble mantlepieces were selected, French gasoliers were acquired, gold mirrors and valances were designed for the parlors. Even the doorways were considered when they purchased bohemian glass dusted with 24K gold that still exists in the transoms to this day. Yes, the past few years had been a whirlwind of excitement and romance. Elizabeth smiled as she thought back on the joyful memories their first year as man and wife had brought as the carriage continued to their eagerly awaited destination. Finally, the reigns were pulled and the carriage came to a halt. Exiting the vehicle, the Kleins made their way to the door of their new home as their faces gave way to smiles of excitement.

The following years would prove to be very fruitful for the Kleins. John grew and diversified his businesses to the extent that he became known throughout town as “The Prince of Commerce” while Elizabeth saw to their 10 children. Out of necessity wings were added to each side of their home, transforming an already sizeable property into a sprawling estate. The likes of which would see, “entertainments of the most hospitable and generous character” and would become known as, “one of the happiest homes that ever graced the land.” The advent of war would see an interruption to that contentment in 1863 when Grant’s army lined up Vicksburg in his crosshairs.

Concerned by their proximity to the river, and Elizabeth’s pregnancy, the Kleins reluctantly left their beloved home for shelter 15 miles outside of town. Seeking sanctuary at a modest home, the family was spared from the terrors of war while the grounds at Cedar Grove echoed with the roar of cannon fire and the crack of musketry. With each passing day Grant’s army continued to tighten its coil around the city to suffocating effect while the family waited for news of victory or surrender. Their anxieties briefly interrupted by the arrival of a familiar face to Elizabeth, her cousin by marriage William Tecumseh Sherman. Sherman would later recall in his memoirs, “In a small log house near Markham’s (the farm Sherman had his headquarters) was the family of Mr. Klein, whose wife was the daughter of Mrs. Day, of New Orleans, who in turn was the sister of Judge T. W. Bartley, my brother-in-law. I used frequently to drop in and take a meal with them.” Whether by familial obligation or fondness, Elizabeth and Sherman struck a deal that the Union Army could utilize Cedar Grove as a hospital if they would spare it from ruin. Sherman stating, “Mrs. Klein was generally known as the general’s cousin, which doubtless saved her and her family from molestation, too common on the part of our men.” In a display of gratitude Elizabeth would name her newborn son William Tecumseh Sherman Klein in his honor.

The white flag of surrender saw the return of citizens that had fled and those that emerged from the caves to survey the damage. All across town people went to work cleaning and repairing what was salvageable of their properties, and with each sweep of the broom a resentment started to accumulate among some in town. With a reputation that proceeded him, Sherman was undoubtedly one of the most hated men in the southern states. His penchant for setting everything in his wake ablaze ignited a distaste toward Elizabeth as she was deemed guilty by association. Seeking to silence assumptions that her family had somehow been immune to the effects of war through special treatment, Elizabeth deliberately repaired her home in a way that battle scars would remain visible for all to see.

21 years after the war inflicted scars on the manor house, a new wound would emerge from its interior with the passing of John Klein in 1884. Mourning over his death extended far beyond the gates of his estate, with C. K. Marshall commenting, “Now he sleeps the last slumber. He has gone forever from that loved and honored home. His presence will no longer be felt in our streets. He was one of the oldest of the citizens of Vicksburg and one who had built up and improved it more than any other ten men who ever lived here.” Following his death, Elizabeth pulled away from social gatherings and, “led a quiet and retired life” before passing away in 1909. Cedar Grove would remain in the Klein family for the next 10 years before finances required its liquidation. That same year would see the relocation of the Klein family graves relocated from the grounds of their beloved home to their final resting place within the city cemetery.

Cedar Hill Cemetery Association was formed in 2024 with the goal of assisting the City of Vicksburg in restoration and beautification of our historic Cedar Hill Cemetery. The Association will be presenting its inaugural tour event “Voices from the Hills” on October 16, 17, and 18, 2025 as part of Vicksburg’s Bicentennial Celebrations. For more information or to get involved, contact chcassociation@yahoo.com or visit their Facebook page.