GEORGE ZAHLER - It is not often that a couple who have lived to a ripe old age are called home so close together as Mr. and Mrs. George Zahler of this city. Mrs. Zahler passed away January 13 and her husband George Zahler died on January 16. George Zahler was born in Germany, August 1, 1844. He died at his home in David City, Nebraska, January 16, 1927, at the age of 88 years. Mr. Zahler had been ailing for about a year, part of the time being confined to his home. He came to America with his mother when but 9 years old and settled at Freeport, (Stephenson Co.) Illinois. he was married to Mary Jane Lapp in 1863 at Lena, (Stephenson Co.,) Illinois, where they made their home until 1871 when they moved to Nebraska and settled on a homestead three miles southeast of where Rising City now is. In 1909 he moved to David City where he has resided ever since. On February 7, 1915, his wife passed away. He leaves four sons and three daughters to mourn his death. Mrs. Elizabeth Snyder, Charles, Francis, and Edward of San Diego, California, Mrs. Theresa Helming of Lansford, North Dakota, and Alfred who lives on the old homestead,. There are 14 grand children and one great grand child. George Zahler was one on the pioneers of Butler County and was a man well liked. He had a wide circle of acquaintances and many friends. He was again married to Hanner Augusta Cowan on May 24, 1916, at David City, where they both lived until their death. Hanner Augusta Cowan, Mrs George Zahler was born in Durand, Illinois, January 29, 1852 and died at her home in David City, Nebraska, January 13 1927 after a lingering illness, at the age of 74 years. She was married to Wm. A. Morel, June 30, 1881. He died in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1913. She was again married, May 24, 1916 to Geo. Zahler. She leaves one brother, O. D. Cowan of Stration, Nebraska to mourn her death. Funeral services for both were held from the Congregational church Wednesday, January 19, 1927, at 11 o'clock. Rev. Kraemer pastor, conducting them. The remains of Mr. Zahler were laid away in the Rising Sun cemetery and those of Mrs. Zahler in the Shelby cemetery. Pall bearers for Mr. Zahler were C. G. Hoker, Henry Wandt, Frank Birkel, P. Vanderheiden, H. Ficke and Frank Hinze. For Mrs.Zahler, R. W. Zeilinger, W. C. Buchts, John Owen, A. V. Thomas, Frank Osterhout and Roy Becker. Mr and Mrs Zahler were among our most respected citizens. Good neighbors, always kind and considerate of others. They had passed through the hardships of early settlers in Nebraska but had lived to see the result of their work bloom into the garden spot of the world, and passed away knowing they had done their part and had been called home.
Contributed by Paula Zahler - People's Banner News Paper, David City Nebraska, Thursday, Jan 20 1927,

MRS. GEORGE ZAHLER - The last rites for Mrs. George Zahler, who died in her home in David City (Nebraska) on February 17, were held on Wednesday morning, February 24, at 10 o'clock in the Lutheran church in Rising City by Rev. M.L. Melick, pastor of that church. The singers were Mrs. Clinton Hillegass, Miss Mabel Miller, Edward Dechert and Fritz Hoffman, with Mrrs. O.A.Wickert as organist. The pallbearers were Edward Brakefield, Jacob Helwig, George Moser and Peter Reinheimer, all old-time friends of the Zahler family. Burial was in the Rising Sun cemetery. The body of Mrs. Zahler lay in state at the Zahler home Tuesday afternoon prior to Christian Science services which were held at 3:30 o'clock at the Zahler residence. The services were conducted by P.H. Rosebrook and Mrs. R.A. Bennett. Mrs. Mary Maltby gave two vocal solos, "No Night There" and "Abide With Me." On Tuesday evening the remains were taken to Rising City and the body lay in state there in the home of Mrs. A.J.Kaempfer. Those going from David City to Rising City to attend the funeral services were George Zahler, husband of Mrs. Zahler, and Alfred and Francis Zahler; Mrs. Anna Brown and daughter, Olive, and son, Clyde, of Omaha; Mr. and Mrs. H.W.Helming of Lansford, N.Dak; John F. Zahler of Shawnee, Okla; John Helser of Palmer; Mrs. Lizzie Lawver, whose home is in Rising City, but who had been in the Zahler home during Mrs. Zahler's illness and since her death; Mr. and Mrs C.G.Hoker and C.H. Allen. Alfred, Francis and John Zahler, Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Helming are Zahler children. Mr. Helser is a cousin of Mrs. Zahler and had lived with the Zahler family for over twenty years. Mrs. Brown had been in David City since Monday, February 15, John Zahler came last Thursday evening, Clyde and Miss Olive Brown and John Helser came Monday evening and Francis Zahler and Mr. and Mrs. Helming, who were visiting in San Diego, Calif., arrived Monday evening. Three Zahler children, Mrs. Elizabeth Snyder and Charles Zahler, of San Diego, Calif., and Edward Zahler, of Portland, Ore., were unable to come. The many beautiful floral offerings sent to the Zahler home after the death of Mrs. Zahler were tokens of sympathy from friends of the Zahler family and were emblematic of the high esteem and respect with which Mrs. Zahler was regarded
Contributed by Paula Zahler - Obituary , probably from David City, Nebraska newspaper:

MARY J. (LAPP) ZAHLER , one of Butler (Nebraska) county's pioneer women, died at her home in David City Wednesday evening, Feb 17, shortly after 8 o'clock, Mrs. Zahler's death was from pneumonia. She was sick just a week, having contracted the disease a week ago Wednesday. Mrs. Zahler was in her 70th year. She was born April 1, 1845, in Ohio, and was of German descent. Her maiden name was Mary J. Lapp. When a young girl her father, John Lapp, a shoemaker, moved his family from Illinois where he kept a shoe shop in the house for many years. In October 1863, Miss Lapp and Mr. George Zahler were united in marriage in Freeport, Illinois. In 1871, eight years after their marriage, the Zahler family came from Illinois to Nebraska and Butler county and took up their residence in a sod house on a homestead in section 24, Reading township. Here for 39 years the Zahler family resided. Mrs. Zahler with her energetic spirit and indomitable will was of great assistance to her husband in meeting the same discouragements and overcoming the same obstacles that were so familiar to the early day homesteaders. Mr. and Mrs. Zahler bought a home in David City five years ago and moved here shortly after the purchase was made. They have resided here ever since. Mrs. Zahler was the mother of eleven children, eight of whom are living. They are Mrs. Elizabeth Snyder, of San Diego, Calif.; John F. Zahler, Shawnee, Okla; Mrs. Anna Brown, of Omaha; Mrs. Grace Helming, of Lansford, N.Dak; Charles Zahler, of San Diego, Calif; Alfred and Francis Zahler, of Rising City; and Edward Zahler, of Portland, Ore. Mrs. Helming and Francis Zahler are in San Diego, Calif, visiting. Mr. Zahler and two sisters also survive Mrs. Zahler. One sister, Mrs. Lizzie Lawver, lives in Rising City; the other sister, Mrs. Anna Hunt, lives near Medina, N.Dak. Mrs. Brown came from Omaha Monday evening on account if the illness of her mother and Alfred Zahler has been here from Rising City the past week. John F. Zahler of Shawnee, Okla., will arrive here this (Thursday) evening. No definite arrangements for the funeral services have been made as yet, but they probably will be held next Tuesday. The body will be held until some of Mrs. Zahler's children arrive from California. It is not known how many of them will come. Burial will be in the Rising City cemetery
Contributed by Paula Zahler - Obituary , probably from David City, Nebraska newspaper:

CHARLOTTE A. (BOTKIN) ZARTMAN , 103, of Rockford, formerly of Freeport, died Thursday, Oct. 14, 2010, at Provena Cor Mariae Center in Rockford. Born March 25, 1907, in Modoc, Ind., she was the daughter of John and Mary (Engle) Botkin. Charlotte had a remarkable gift for teaching children to read. After graduating from high school she continued her education at what is now Butler University in Indianapolis and earned her teaching certificate. Charlotte moved to Freeport in 1930. She taught kindergarten and primary grades at several schools, retiring in 1972. She married William E. Zartman June 17, 1939. He died Jan. 30, 1981. She found teaching to be a satisfying and rewarding profession. A fund has been established in her name with Highland Community College Foundation, from which a scholarship is awarded each year to a student who is planning a career in working with children. Charlotte was a member of United Presbyterian Church. She was active in the Masonic Lodge and belonged to the Eastern Star and White Shrine. She was a member of the square dancing group named “Buttons and Bows,” and was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She had a special interest in genealogy and could trace her ancestors back to the early 1700s. Surviving are her son, William B. (Joyce) Zartman of Rockford; her granddaughter, Ann (Javier Bustillo) Zartman of Chicago; her grandson, Ryan Zartman of Durham, N.C.; her great-grandchild, Ian Josef Bustillo; and her brother-in-law, Ralph Devaney of Union City, Indiana. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; four sisters; and one brother. The family would like to express their appreciation for the years of kind and loving care she received at Provena Cor Mariae Center in Rockford, and the helpfulness of Heartland Hospice. There will be a memorial service at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24, at United Presbyterian Church in Freeport with the Rev. Kathleen Luke officiating. Entombment will be in the family crypt in City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in her name for United Presbyterian Church Freeport.
Contributed by Alice Horner
Feature story

WILLIAM ZARTMAN , 75, of 1260 Fairway Drive, died Friday night at Freeport Memorial Hospital following an extended illness. (Note: The Social Security Death Index gives the date as January 1981.) From 1930 to 1964, he was associated with the Sanford and Zartman Lumber Co. and then operated Zartman Associates until retirement in 1977. He was active with the Masonic Order and received the 33rd Degree of Masonry Sept. 25, 1958 at the Supreme Council at Pittsburgh, Pa. A life member of the High Twelve Club, he organized a hospital bed program in 1950. For 27 years he transported hospital beds and equipment to those in need of the service. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, a 50-year member of Excelsior Lodge, member of the Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Freeport, Tebala Shrine of Rockford and the Order of the Eastern Star, of which he was a past patron, White Shrine of Jerusalem and a past watchman of the shepherds.

Born Feb. 25, 1905 in Freeport, he was the son of Harvey B. and Mabel (Ford) Zartman. He married Charlotte Botkin June 17, 1939 in Randolph County, Indiana. Surviving are his widow; one son, William B. Zartman of Rockford; one brother, Ford of Milwaukee, Wis.; and two grandchildren. Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home with the Rev. Douglas Baer, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, officiating. Entombment will be in City Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home where a Masonic service will be held by Excelsior Lodge at 7:30 p.m. Memorials have been established for First Presbyterian Church and High Twelve Club.
Contributed by Alice Horner

DANIEL ZERBE , a retired carpenter, died in his home, 823 W. CLeveland St., today after a two weeks illness. He was born in Oneco Township Sept. 15, 1864, the son of John and Sarah Runkle Zerbe. His marriage to Evelyn Thompson took place in Wichita, Kan., Feb. 20, 1909. They moved to Freeport in 1910 and he was employed as a carpenter until his retirement. Survivors include his wife; three sons, Raymond of Paradise, Calif., Paul of Monrovia, Calif., and LeRoy of Elzon, Calif. ; and six grandchildren. Four sons died previously. Service will be in the Walker Mortuary at 1:30 p.m. Saturday with the Rev. F. E. Bartling, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church officiating. Interment will be in City Cemetery. Friends may call at the mortuary starting at noon Friday.
Contributed by Karen Fyock - Undated Clipping
90th Birthday

ABRAHAM ZIMMERMAN - Thursday morning Abraham Zimmerman, an old time resident of Harlem Township (Stephenson County, Illinois) passed away. He was ill for a long time with cancer of the stomach. The deceased was born in Germany, and was 64 years of age. He resided in this county twenty-nine years. His family consists of a wife and twelve children, all of whom live in Harlem. The funeral occurs on Friday afternoon at 2 o’clock.
Contributed by Alice Horner frmo Dove Sky - From The Daily Journal (Thursday) August 20, 1885

ADAM ZIMMERMAN , 81, retired farmer, passed away Wednesday afternoon (October 18, 1939) at his home, 902 South Globe Avenue, following an illness of about three months. Mr. Zimmerman was born in Freeport August 15, 1858, and operated a farm in Harlem Township for many years, retiring in 1923. He was united in marriage March 21, 1893 to Miss Effie Springman, who survives, as do the following: one daughter, Mrs. Oscar Ohlendorf of Freeport; one sister, Mrs. Caroline Huber, of Scioto Mills; and two brothers, John and Herman Zimmerman of Freeport. Two sisters and seven brothers preceded him in death. Funeral services will be held at 2 o’clock Friday afternoon at the Wiese & Temple funeral home. Rev. B. N. Covert, pastor of Second Presbyterian Church, will officiate and burial will be made in Oakland Cemetery. The following persons will act as pallbearers: Lloyd Wagner, Karl Balles, Fred Readeker, W. G. Stein, Elmer Hutmacher, and C. J. Secker. Friends may call at the home until 11 o’clock Friday morning.
Contributed by Alice Horner

FRED ZIMMERMAN - Suffering a double stroke of apoplexy yesterday afternoon while assisting in the construction of a new home in Scioto Mills, Fred Zimmerman, a life-long resident of Stephenson County, passed away at 7:10 o’clock this morning at the home of his sister, Mrs. John Huber, of Scioto Mills. The remains have been brought to the home of his daughter, Mrs. H. L. Bennett (Mrs. Holland Bennett), 1022 South State Avenue, Freeport. Mr. Zimmerman, who engaged in farming for many years in Harlem Township, retired about 13 years ago, and since then had done construction work and carpentering for a pastime. While working at Scioto yester afternoon, he suffered the stroke, and was taken to his sister’s home nearby. His condition grew steadily worse, despite all efforts to relieve him, and he succumbed this morning, at the age of 64 years. Besides his widow, Mrs. Lena (Blatteau) Zimmerman, he leaves to mourn two daughters, Mrs. W. A. Goddard and Mrs. H. L. Bennett, and a grandson, Donald Bennett, all of Freeport. He is also survived by two sisters and seven brothers; Mrs. John Huber, Scioto Mills; and Mrs. Rawley McGrath, Harlem; Carl, Abraham, Peter, Jacob and Adam Zimmerman, all of Freeport; John and Henry Zimmerman, of Harlem and Henry Zimmerman of Harlem Township. Fred Zimmerman was born in Harlem Township on January 31st, 1859, one of twelve children of Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Zimmerman, pioneer settlers of Stephenson County. His parents and a brother and sister preceded him in death. He engaged in farming for a number of years in Harlem Township, retiring about 13 years ago. Since then he had resided ten years in Scioto Mills and the remaining five years were spent in that village, Freeport, and Los Angeles, Calif. Mr. Zimmerman was well known throughout the county, and well liked by all who knew him. He was a man energetic at all times, and was continually striving to improve conditions about him, not in the form of spiritual uplift particularly but in the more practical and equally useful occupation of building new homes and improving old ones. He was an able carpenter and while in Los Angeles, Calif., built a number of homes which he possessed at the time of his death. He was married about 35 years ago to Miss Lena Blatteau, of Lancaster Township, and two children were born to this union. Mr. Zimmerman was a member of Cherry Camp, M. W. A. and attended St. John’s Evangelical Church of Freeport. Funeral services will be held at 2 o’clock Thursday afternoon at the home of H. L. Bennett, 1022 South State Avenue, and interment will be made in Grand View cemetery, 3 miles north of Freeport on the Cedarville Road.
Contributed by Alice Horner from DoveSky - Freeport Journal Standard, July 24, 1923

CHARLES ZIPF , 79, of 1326 S. Park Blvd., a retired Freeport physician, died Saturday morning at Rockford Memorial Hospital following a brief illness. He had attended Freeport schools and obtained both his B. S. and medical degree from the University of Michigan, graduating from medical school in 1924. He interned at St. Luke’s Hospital in Chicago, and practiced medicine in Freeport from 1927 until his retirement in 1958, after which Dr. and Mrs. Zipf lived in Pellston, Mich. and Santa Fe, N.M. until their return to Freeport in 1967. He was one of the first doctors to serve in the Well Baby Clinic established by the Amity Society, was associated with the Boy Scouts and with the Selective Service Commission during World War II. He was a member of Grace Episcopal Church, Rotary Club, Evergreen Masonic Lodge, Rockford Tebala Shrine, Elks Club, Stephenson County Medical Society, American Medical Society, University of Michigan Alumni Association and the Amateur Trapshooting Association.

Born June 25, 1898 in Freeport, he was the son of Oscar R. and Maria (Boardus) Zipf. In 1927 he married Nellie Jones, who died in 1944. He married Edna M. Rensch in 1947 in Chicago. Surviving are his widow; one son, Dr. Theodore F. Zipf of Belmont, Calif., and two granddaughters. A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in Grace Episcopal Church, with the Rev. Michael Long, pastor, officiating. There will be no visitation. The body was cremated. Arrangements were completed by the Walker Mortuary. A memorial fund has been established for Freeport Memorial Hospital.

Contributed by Alice Horner exclusively for Genealogy Trails