- WILLIAM F. ZIMMERMAN, who owns and operates a well-cultivated dairy and vegetable farm of thirty acres, located in Grand Chute township, was born June 9, 1877, in Oconomowoc township, Waukesha county, Wisconsin, a son of John D. and Minnie (Kiehnbaum) Zimmerman. Mr. Zimmerman's parents were natives of Germany, his father being born August 16, 1832, and his mother November 25, 1844. John D. Zimmerman came to America in 1857 and located in Oconomowoc township with but five dollars in his pocket, and this money was used to buy clothing. However, he was willing and ready to work, and soon found employment among the farmers, for whom he continued to farm until enlisting in the Union army, as a private of Company C, Twenty-eighth Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He served with that regiment three years and one month, being advanced to the rank of corporal, and was wounded in battle -- the first man that got wounded at Spanish Fort, Alabama -- but only remained in the hospital a short time. After making a war record that would have done credit to any man, he was honorably discharged and was mustered out at Madison, immediately after which he returned to Oconomowoc and again became a farm hand. About one year later Mr. Zimmerman was married, and he then purchased a farm in Oconomowoc township, on which he resided until 1907, when he retired from business cares and went to Appleton to spend the rest of his years enjoying the fruits of his early labors. He and his wife had a family of seven children: Mary Elizabeth, single, who resides with her parents; Henry W., a farmer of Benchland, Montana; Eda, wife of Grant Powell, a carpenter of No. 772 Pacific street, Appleton; Herman, a farmer of Barron county, Wisconsin; William F.; and John and Daniel, deceased .
William F. Zimmerman attended the district and high schools of Oconomowoc, and worked for his father until he had reached the age of twenty-one years. One year prior to his marriage he purchased the farm on which he now resides, and he has lived here ever since. He devotes the thirty acres to vegetable raising and dairy farming, and success has attended his earnest efforts. Mr. Zimmerman has taken quite an active interest in Republican politics, and while a resident of Oconomowoc township served as township clerk . He and Mrs. Zimmerman are members of the Appleton Methodist Episcopal Church.
On April 3, 1907, Mr. Zimmerman was united in marriage with Miss Belle Peebles, who was born in Oconomowoc township, May 16, 1882, daughter of William and Julia (Campbell) Peebles, natives of Waukesha county, the father born May 29, 1860, and the mother September 19, 1865. Mr. Peebles has always been engaged in farming in Oconomowoc township, where he now owns a 200-acre property, and he has held various township offices. Eight children have been born to him and his wife, as follows: Mrs. Zimmerman; Sumner (deceased); John and Percy, residing at home; and Pearl, Grace, Ruth and Robert, who also reside with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman have had two children: Leone Marie, born December 26, 1908, and Lawrence William, born April 11, 1910 .
|
1877 - 1958 (81 years)
Biography
