ZIHLMAN, Lukas - 1890 Bio (1844-1915)

ZIHLMAN, STADLEMAN, JORDAN

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 9/5/2007 at 21:27:29

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 430-431

Lukas ZIHLMAN has been prominently connected with the business interests of Jefferson County for a number of years, and now ranks among its progressive farmers, devoting his time and attention to the cultivation of a good farm, situated on section 13, Lockridge Township. His father, who was a native of Luzerne, Switzerland, operated a dairy and engaged in the manufacture of cheese in his native land, doing an extensive and lucrative business in that line until his death. He married Mary STADLEMAN, and unto them were born six children, three sons and three daughters, all born in Switzerland. Mary died in that country; Simon is still living in his native land; Andrew crossed the ocean and is now living in Walnut Township, Jefferson County; Lena died in Switzerland; Katie is also deceased, and Lukas completes the number. The father of his family was a well educated man, possessed of good business ability, and was a faithful member of the Catholic Church.

Lukas ZIHLMAN was also born in Luzerne in 1844, and when three years of age was deprived of a mother's loving care and watchfulness. He received good literary training, and acquired his business education in his father's establishment, assisting in the management of that business until his father's death. He determined to try his fortune in America in 1866, and, suiting the action to the word, crossed the ocean and for a year worked as a farm hand in Lockridge Township, Jefferson County. At the end of that time he became convinced that he could find no better home and, returning to his native land, he severed all connection with that country save the pleasant memories clustered about his childhood home, and once more set sail for the new world. He has never yet had occasion to regret that step, for he has succeeded even beyond his expectations in a financial way, and here friendships have been formed which nothing could induce him to sever.

In 1868, Mr. ZIHLMAN was united in marriage with Miss Lottie JORDAN, and immediately afterwards the young couple began their domestic life on the farm which has since been their home. Many changes, however, have since been made. Their first residence was a little log cabin, their furniture was somewhat crude in character as compared with the furnishings of their home to-day, and their farm comprised but one hundred and sixty acres of land, only fifty of which was then under cultivation, but now the entire amount is yielding him a ready return for the care which he bestows upon it, and its boundaries have been extended until it embraces an additional eighty-acre tract, which is also highly improved. Since first locating upon his farm, Mr. ZIHLMAN has continued to make it his home, with the exception of five years which he spent in the West. He bought land in Nebraska, but that period of time convinced him that he preferred Iowa as a permanent place of residence. He also went to Kansas and helped to establish the town of Colby, where he carried on a clothing store for a while. In this county Mr. ZIHLMAN operated a sawmill for three years and shipped timber on the railroad. He has greatly enhanced the value of his farm by adding to it many excellent improvements, both useful and ornamental, and by the erection of a commodious residence.

The children born unto our subject and his worthy wife are William, born April 31 (sic), 1869; Lucas, January 2, 1871; Andrew, April 7, 1873; Mary, April 4, 1875; the next two died in infancy; John, born March 8, 1881; Jacob, July 31, 1883; Adam, December 27, 1884; and Eva, August 13, 1887. The family are all members of the Catholic Church of Germanville. They have many warm friends throughout the community, and in the social world are held in high regard.

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