Elias Reynolds Zeller (1935)

COX, CUMMINGS, KALE, WALLACE, ZELLER

Posted By: Treva Patterson
Date: 2/22/2006 at 17:09:39

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, July 25, 1935
Page 1, Column 03

DEATH ENDS CAREER OF HON. E. R. ZELLER

Former Editor of Madisonian was prominent in many fields of endeavor

An outstanding personality and a citizen of the highest order was lost to Madison county early Monday in the death of the Honorable E. R. Zeller, for more than half a century an educational, journalistic and political leader of the state and community. His death, received with a distinct sense of loss by residents of Madison county, was mourned by a wide circle of friends throughout Iowa.

Mr. Zeller's death came unexpectedly although he had been in declining health for several years, and for more than a year, he had been confined to his home. In spite of failing physical health, his last years had been marked by unusual mental alertness. He would have been 91 years old on September 13

Mr. Zeller came to Winterset in 1873 to take charge of the public schools. For five years he served in the position of principal. He was then elected county superintendent, serving in that capacity for four years. For seven years he was engaged in county institute work. In 1883 and 1884, in partnership with Col. H.J.B. Cummings and Henry Wallace, he edited and published the Winterset Madisonian.

In later years, Mr. Zeller's attention turned more than ever to public service. He had always been a strong Republican, and in 1908 he was elected to the State legislature. He was reelected in 1910, thus serving in the thirty-third and thirty-fourth general assemblies. During his legislative service he was connected with ten important committees, and left a personal impression upon the legislation enacted during that period.

In 1904 the Madison Historical society was organized, with Mr. Zeller, a charter member and a guiding spirit in its founding. He was elected first treasurer of the organization, and served many years as secretary and then secretary-treasurer. Much of his work in recent years had been devoted to that society where he acted as custodian of the historical rooms. He was also an important contributor to magazines and periodicals in various parts of the nation.

Mr. Zeller's death was the occasion of sincere tributes from those who knew his work, Ed M. Smith, publisher of the Madisonian said: "His public service was probably more varied and extensive than anyone in Madison County's history."

Elias R.Zeller was born near the village of Millville, Ohio on September 13, 1844, the son of John and Susan Zeller. His parents were of Swiss ancestry. He was reared on a farm, acquiring his education in the district schools. At the age of 20 years, in 1864, he enlisted in the Union service for the Civil War, joining Company K, 167th Ohio volunteer infantry. He saw service withthe federal forces in Virginia. After the war, he returned to the old homestead, which was sold in 1867. He then entered the field of journalism, publishing the Oxford Citizen at Oxford, Ohio, while he enrolled as a student in Miami university of that city. He graduated with the class of 1871, later taking an advanced degree there.

After disposing of his interests in Ohio, he came to Burlington, Iowa, in 1871, where he served as city editor of the Burlington Gazette. Later he purchased and edited the Eldora Herald, selling that in 1873 to come to Winterset.

In 1879 he was married to Miss Hattie Cox. They were the parents of three children, Mrs. Kathryn Kale, who is county superintendent of schools, Theodore, and Joseph Zeller of Forest Hills, New York. All are left to mourn their father's death.

Dr. A. H. Barker, district superintendent of the Methodist church will conduct his funeral services, which will be held at 2:30 o'clock this Thursday afternoon. He will be assisted by the Rev. B. F. Hamilton of Winterset, and burial will be in the Winterset cemetery.

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