Biography - William Zimmerman
WILLIAM J. ZIMMERMAN. On section 21, Harvel Township, Montgomery County, Ill., may be seen a fine farm, upon which has been expended much care in cultivation and development. The land is well drained, well-watered and adorned with plenty of trees. Six acres are planted to apple trees of the best varieties adapted to Central Illinois. This well-ordered place belongs to the gentleman whose name is inscribed above. He is a native of the Prairie State, born in Madison County, April 9, 1847, the son of John W. and Mary (Slaughter) Zimmerman.
Our subject's father was born in Germany, from which country he emigrated with his wife in November, 1846, at the age of twenty-eight years. Arrived at Alton, Ill., in December. In the spring he moved to a farm near Moro. He has fanned and owned land in Madison and Macoupin Counties, and is now living near his farms in the village of Harvel, Montgomery County, Ill. He is seventy-five years old, hale and hearty.
Of nine children born to our subject's parents, William J. is the eldest. The others are John H., Wade J.M., Melissa, Frederick, Edward and Henry. The two other children are deceased. The one sister of the family is now Mrs. Dues, of Madison County, Ill. In early manhood, our subject divided his years of growth between Madison and Macoupin Counties. He taught school two terms, was in the hardware business one year, but, finding it not congenial to his tastes, he has followed agricultural pursuits since.
Mr. Zimmerman was married April 9, 1871, his bride being Miss Mary Keiser, of Foslerburg, Madison County, Ill., a daughter of II. H. Keiser. They have a large family and their children seem to be well cared for. Much is expended to give them an education and to instill into them the better principles of life. The children's names are Ida W., a pupil of Jacksonville Deaf and Dumb Asylum; John Franklin, a Freshman at Blackburn University, Carlinville, Ill.; Ella Maria, Mary Matilda, Minnie Malissa and Bertha Martha Lena are attending public school; Frances Hattie, Annie Fredericka and Arthur Willis are the youngest; Herbert William is deceased.
The Zimmerman farm comprises one hundred and sixty acres of land under excellent cultivation. By industry and prudence, our subject has been able to reap a gratifying degree of success from his labors. He enjoys the respect and honor of his fellow-citizens, who have shown their confidence in his integrity by electing him to various local offices. He was Drainage Commissioner, and was the first one to project and, by the able assistance of his neighbor, W. W. Whitlow, to complete Union Drainage District of Montgomery and Christian Counties near Harvel, which drains nearly eighteen hundred acres, and cost more than $11,000. He has always taken an active part in public school affairs. Politically, he is a Republican and a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. In their church views, he and his family affiliate with the Baptist denomination.
Extracted 10 Jan 2017 by Norma Hass from 1892 Portrait and Biographical Record of Montgomery and Bond Counties, Illinois, pages 460-461.
