From the 1885 History of Steuben County, Indiana

pages 849-850

Peter Zimmer was born in Portage County, Ohio, June 7, 1839, a son of Adam and Elizabeth Zimmer, who came to Steuben County in 1854 and settled on section 1, Otsego Township, five children accompanying them to their new home -- Eliza, the second child, was the wife of George Kettring, and remained in Ohio, where she died; Adam is a resident of Scott Township; Caroline married George Kettring after her sister Eliza's death and died in Ohio; Peter is the subject of our sketch; Catherine is the wife of Henry Guise, of Hillsdale, Mich.; Sophia is the wife of Zachariah Kinne, of Berrien, Mich. The parents were natives of Germany and came to the United States in March, 1831, landing in New York the same day from different vessels. Mrs. Zimmer left Germany the wife of Jacob Petre, who died on the ocean, leaving six children. She became acquainted with Mr. Zimmer in New York and early in 1832 they were married. They went to Lehigh County, Pa., and three years later to Mahoning County, Ohio, and in 1837 moved to Portage County, where they lived till 1854. Mr. Zimmer died in April, 1862, in the seventy-third year of his age. Mrs. Zimmer died in June, 1864, aged sixty-four years. Peter Zimmer was a faithful son till the death of his parents, remaining at home and caring for them. April 4, 1865, he married Susan Swift, daughter of one of Otsego's pioneers. He commenced housekeeping on his father's homestead, living there till 1872, when he bought 142 acres of land on section 3, where he has since lived. His farm is finely improved, mostly the work of his own hands. His residence is large and commodious. To Mr. and Mrs. Zimmer have been born seven children -- Delphena, Oscar, Jesse G., Cassius Clay, Carrie, John and Orville. Mr. Zimmer takes great interest in the education of his children, being determined to give them something of which they can never be robbed. In politics he is an earnest Republican and a believer in the policy of protection for American industries.

Submitted by Kim Davoli

E-mail: davoli82@juno.com