ZILLMAN, Lewis B. - 1912 Bio (1872-1945)

ZILLMAN, OMER, GHOLSON, HAINES

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 10/6/2007 at 19:39:45

History of Jefferson County, Iowa -- A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol II, Published 1912, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 253-255

Lewis B. ZILLMAN is the owner of a well improved farm in Lockridge township, comprising one hundred and forty acres of land which he operates with much enterprise and success. He was not always a farmer, however. On arriving at years of maturity when he was faced with the necessity of choosing his life work, the illusive opportunities of city business life held out their charms for him and, turning aside from the agricultural pursuits in which his father had reared him and in which he had served an apprenticeship for two years as hired farm help in Kansas, he went to Chicago and there secured employement with the Bell Telephone Company. After two years the company transferred him to their St. Louis branch where he worked an additional two years. By this time he had come to the wise conclusion that advancement was surer and quicker to come to the man on the farm and that the city could offer nothing equal to the joys and peace of country life. Having saved of his earnings a sum sufficient for investment, he entered into a partnership with his brother and together they bought a farm which they set out to improve. This marked the beginning of his career as a farmer. Later he continued alone and today his success is evinced not only by his well cultivated land but by the handsome home in which he lives and the comforts with which he is able to surround himself.

Lewis B. ZILLMAN was born in Lockridge township, Jefferson county, Iowa, January 24, 1872. He is the son of Anthony and Elizabeth (OMER) ZILLMAN, the former a native of Switzerland and the latter of Pennsylvania. His father was brought up in the country of his birth and on reaching manhood became a hostler in France. In 1867, however, he became imbued with the idea to tempt fortune on this side of the Atlantic and crossed the ocean to take advantage of the opportunities offered in a new country. He settled in Jefferson county buying forty acres of land in Lockridge township, and after improving the same he added various tracts adjoining, until at length he was the owner of two hundred acres. These he farmed until 1899 when he sold out and came to Lockridge to live, remaining here until his death January 14, 1911. The death of his wife occured July 19, 1899.

Reared at home Lewis B. ZILLMAN was sent to the district school nearby and when on the farm was expected to give whatever assistance his father demanded of him. Thus he acquired the rudiments of knowledge pertaining to improved methods of farming which bore their fruits in later years. As mentioned above he went to the city upon coming of age where he worked for four years first in Chicago then in St. Louis. He then engaged in farming in conjunction with his brother and together they bought a farm of one hundred and seventy acres which they improved and operated for two years. Thereupon they sold his farm, buying another of one hundred and eighty acres which they operated for five years, dissolving partnership at the end of that period. Lewis B. ZILLMAN subsequently purchased one hundred and forty acres of land in Lockridge township which he has farmed ever since with excellent results.

In 1896, on New Year's day, Lewis B. ZILLMAN was united in marriage to Miss Nellie GHOLSON, a daughter of George and Eliza Ann (HAINES) GHOLSON, natives of Henry county, Iowa. Her father, as soon as he was old enough, engaged in farming for himself in Henry county and here still follows his calling enjoying with his wife the results of their toil through many years of faithful devotion to duty.

Mr. and Mrs. ZILLMAN became the parents of three children: George A., aged thirteen years; Lester, aged twelve; and Omer L., aged five years. In politics Mr. ZILLMAN has always been a faithful supporter of the democratic party and has served as school director of his district. He belongs to the Odd Fellows and Yeomen lodges and, together with Mrs. ZILLMAN, holds membership in the Baptist church. He has the warm regard of a large circle of friends, many of whom have known him from his boyhood days to the present time.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Given name spelled Lewis here and in his obituary, but Louis on his gravestone.