Biography - G Zink
HON. G. L. ZINK, one of the first and prominent attorneys of Litchfield, has made this beautiful little city his home since the month of May, 1866, when he entered its confines and opened his office. The modest shingle bearing his name soon dangled at the front door, informing the passer-by that within was one who could settle all legal questions, and from that day to this Mr. Zink has been considered the authority on all questions pertaining to his profession.
Mr. Zink claims Ohio as his native State, having been born in Steubenville, a son of James H. Zink, the popular furniture dealer of that town. Our subject received his education in his native county, after which he began reading law, but the outbreak of the Civil War interfered with his studies, as he enlisted as Sergeant-Major in the Fifty-second Ohio Infantry, Col. Dan McCook in command, which regiment served in the Army of the Cumberland in 1862. Mr. Zink participated in the campaign with Bragg that closed with the battle of Perryville, October 8, 1862.
In the summer of 1863, Mr. Zink was discharged for disability and returned home to resume his law studies. As a result of these studies he was admitted to the Bar in the spring of 1864, having earned the money necessary for the pursuit of these studies by teaching school for some years. In the fall of 1864, our subject re-enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifty-seventh Ohio Infantry, a one-hundred-day regiment, with Col. Geo. McCook in command, and served until the regiment was mustered out in the fall of that year.
The brave soldier, our subject, removed to Illinois in the autumn of 1865, and spent the winter following teaching school at Gillespie, Macoupin County, and in the month of May, 1866, he came to Litchfield and has since made it his home. Soon after his arrival he formed a partnership with Maj. Robert McWilliams that lasted for three years under the firm name of McWilliams & Zink. After the dissolution of that firm, Hon. E. Southworth was his partner for some time, but he now continues alone and has a flourishing practice, embracing business in all the courts of the State.
In 1878, Mr. Zink was elected to the Thirty-first General Assembly of the Lower House. He was a member of several committees, among them the Committee on Roads, Highways and Bridges. The bill with which his name was principally connected was the fine law with regard to roads, which bill was passed, and Mr. Zink deserves much credit for aiding in the compilation of suable a law. In the Presidential election of 1872, he was one of the Electors on the Greeley or Liberal-Republican ticket. Since that time he has cast his influence on the side of Democracy.
Mr. Zink was married to Miss Gillie Cave, of Litchfield, and one bright, promising child, a son, George, has been added to their fireside. He is still at school, striving to emulate his honored father in studiousness. Mr. and Mrs. Zink are very pleasant people, whom it is a pleasure to know, and they are charming hosts to their large circle of friends.
In addition to all his other responsibilities, Mr. Zink is the attorney for the Oil City Loan and Homestead Association, and the President of the Litchfield Thresher Company, which was established in 1891 and gives employment to quite a large number of men. In all of his enterprises he has carried the principles of his life with him and has ever endeavored to deal with his fellow-men as he would that they should deal by him. Such men are a credit to any community and country.
Extracted 12 Jan 2017 by Norma Hass from 1892 Portrait and Biographical Record of Montgomery and Bond Counties, Illinois, pages 488-489.
