Zingg, William

ZINGG, MERNER, HEBLE, RENNER, COWAN, SHEARER, LITTLE, HEGUNIN, QUICK

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 2/14/2003 at 19:51:07

Source: "The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated" published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.

WILLIAM ZINGG.

The subject of this sketch, who has efficiently filled the position of engineer for C. Lamb & Sons, of Clinton, for many years, was born in Monroe county, Ohio, on the 6th of August, 1841, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth Zingg, both na-tives of Switzerland, the former born in 1830, the latter in 1805. Our subject’s paternal grandfather was Jacob Zingg, who died at the advanced age of ninety-six years, while his son John lived to be over one hundred and one years of age. Both died in Canada, where they emigrated at an early day. In 1832 the parents of our subject also came to the new world with their two children and settled in Ohio, but later removed to Canada, where they made their home until coming to Iowa, in 1863. Locating in Henry county, the father opened up a new farm. He was a shoemaker by trade, but after coming to this country engaged in agricultural pursuits, and was operating a farm in Henry county at the time of his death, which oc-curred in February, 1881. He was a well-educated man, and by hard work became quite well-to-do. During his lifetime he purchased, improved and sold several farms, and owned one hundred and sixty acres at the time of his death. In politics he was a Democrat, but was never an active party worker. Both he and his wife were earnest and faithful members of the Methodist church. She also died in Henry county in 1879.

Unto this worthy couple were born eight children, all of whom reached maturity, though Henry, the youngest son, died in Dallas county, Iowa, at the age of twenty-two years. Those living are Jacob, a farmer of Henry county; John, a farmer of Taylor county, Iowa; William, our subject; Fred, a farmer of Tama county; Mary, wife of John Merner, of Cedar Falls, Iowa; Elizabeth widow of George Heble, and a resident of Mt. Pleasant, Henry county; Charlotte, wife of Andrew Renner, of Henry county.

William Zingg attended the common schools of Canada until thirteen years of age, but his education was acquired un-der difficult circumstances. He aided his father in the work of the home farm until March, 1856, when he went to Henry county, Iowa, and worked as a laborer for two years. At the end of that time he entered a flouring mill, where he served a four-years’ apprenticeship, at first receiving only thirty-five cents per day. He was employed a year longer in this mill, and then went to Pike’s Peak, Colorado, for his health. On his return to Iowa, he located at Mt. Pleasant, and while there he thoroughly mastered the blacksmith’s trade. In 1862 he returned to his old home in Westport, Canada, and opened a blacksmith shop, which he conducted about four years.

On the 21st of March 1865, in Canada, Mr. Zingg was united in marriage with Miss Jane Cowan, who was born in Scotland, May 12, 1840, but was reared and educated in Canada, where the family removed when she was only two years old. Her parents, who were farming people, died there. Their children were John, a farmer of Canada; Samuel, a ranchman of Montana; Margaret, wife of John Shearer, of Canada; Elizabeth, widow of a Mr. Little; and Jane, deceased, wife of our subject. Mr. Zingg died in Clinton in February, 1885, leaving three children, namely: (1) William H., who is en-gaged in the insurance business in Minneapolis, and is adjuster for the states of Minnesota and South Dakota, is married and has one son, Boyd A. (2) Margaret H. is the wife of Harry H. Hegunin, a steamboat pilot residing in Clinton, and they have two children, Louisa and Harriet. (3) Minnie B. is the wife of George Quick, of Clinton, who is a fireman on the Chi-cago & Northwestern Railway, and they have two children, Jeanette and Lucile. One son of our subject, Oscar, died in childhood. The children were educated in the public schools of Clinton and the Clinton Business College. For four years William H. was employed in the banks of Clinton, and was then elected city treasurer, being the youngest man in the state to fill such an office. He was elected on the Republican ticket by a majority of one thousand and five and was always an active worker in political circles. He has a very lucrative position and is thoroughly familiar with every detail of the insur-ance business.

About a year after his marriage, in the spring of 1866, Mr. Zingg returned to Iowa, and spent a short time in Washing-ton county, but in the fall of the same year came to Clinton, where he followed blacksmithing in a jobbing shop until the fall of 1868, when he commenced working at his trade for C. Lamb & Sons, remaining with them in that capacity until the spring of 1877. He was next in the employ of the Union Iron Works until 1881, when he returned to the Lamb mills as en-gineer, a position he has since filled. He is a thorough mechanic and has modified the work and materials in such a way as to run the mills at the least expense to the company. He has their entire confidence and his services have been highly appreciated by them. In 1870 Mr. Zingg purchased a lot in Clinton and erected thereon a good residence. He has owned several houses, which he has improved and sold at a profit, and now has a nice home at 601 Camanche avenue.

Religiously Mr. Zingg is a member of the Presbyterian church, to which his wife also belonged, and socially he is a Master Mason. His political support is always given the Republican party, but he takes no active part in politics aside from voting. As a poor boy he began life in Iowa with no money but a willing disposition. Being energetic and enterprising, he soon found employment, and has steadily progressed until he is now quite well-to-do, his success being due to his indus-try and his efficiency in his chosen calling. He has quite a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, who esteem him highly for his sterling worth.