Zimmerman, Noah 1850-1931

ZIMMERMAN, MERRIMAN, STEPHENS, RUEDEBUSCH, BULLER, HAWKINS

Posted By: Ardythe Rees Stoesz (email)
Date: 9/16/2007 at 19:10:30

From an unidentified South Dakota newspaper (likely from Brookings county), January 1931:

Noah Zimmerman Died Jan. 27 at Home Near Aurora

Noah Zimmerman, aged 80 years, a respected resident of Aurora community the past 28 years, died unexpectedly Tuesday afternoon at his home south of Aurora following a brief illness caused by a hemorrage of the stomach. Funeral services are being held at 1:30 this afternoon at the Aurora Methodist church.

Mr. Zimmerman had been in fair health the past few years and his death came as a distinct shock to his many relatives and friends, especially so at this time as invitations had already been issued for an observance of Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman's fifty-fifth wedding anniversary which would have been held next Tuesday, Feb. 3. He left this life on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 1931 at the age of 80 years 3 months and 29 days.

His parents, John Jacob Zimmerman and Theresa Elizabeth Merriman were born in Wurtemberg, Germany and while they were children came with their respective families to America, landing at Baltimore, Maryland. After growing to manhood and womanhood they were united in marriage and lived for many years in Baltimore.

In 1868, John Jacob Zimmerman, who was a minister of the Evangelical Church in the city of Baltimore, was transferred to the Evangelical church at Melbourne, Iowa, and he moved with his family to take up the charge of the church at Melbourne but in less than a year a fatal disease growing out of a severe cold took him away at the age of 51 years. That left the mother in a strange land with no relatives to assist her and her family of boys, but the good church people took care of them until such time as the mother and her oldest boys could locate themselves on a farm. It was here that Noah met his first test in life and grew to manhood under many difficulties. He was the second son of a family of eight boys. His older brother, Jacob, while attending a social Fourth of July picnic, was drowned while bathing in the Floyd river. This loss of the oldest brother multipled the responsibilities that fell to the oldest suviving son.

As soon as Noah was of legal age he took up a claim and improved it, and on Feb. 3, 1876 just about 55 years ago he was united in marriage to Miss Fredericka Newmaster of Sioux City, Iowa. To this union was born one son and five daughters all of whom are still living: Jacob Zimmerman of Phoenix, Ariz; Mrs Ella Stephens of Le Mars, Iowa; Mrs. Caroline Ruedebusch of near Elkton; Mrs. Lydia Buller and Mrs Rose Hawkins, both of near Parker and Miss Lucille Zimmerman of Aurora.

Mr. Zimmerman has three brothers living at Le Mars, Iowa: William and George Zimmerman, who were present at the funeral and Franklin, who by reason of illnes was not able to be present.

Noah was united with the Evangelical church of Melbourne, Iowa at an early age, and his membership was transferred to the Evangelical church at Le Mars, Iowa, later. His famly was brought up to reverence and support the Christian church wherever they might be.

Mr. Zimmerman came with his family to make his home in South Dakota in 1903, purchasing the farm known as the Zimmerman farm nine miles southwest of Aurora, where he and Mrs. Zimmerman toiled for thirteen years, until 1916, when they took up residence in Aurora. During these 24 years in South Dakota, Mr. Zimmerman became a familiar figure in Eastern Brookings County. Though seriously handicapped for 40 years by the loss of hearing, he always looked on the cheerful side of life and made many friends. He will be missed much in this community. He was sick but three days and during this short time he spoke kindly to his frineds and dear ones and made no complaints. He leaves to mourn him the wife, five daughters, and one son, three brothers.