The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1907-10-03
DEATH OF WILLIAM zEHNER
One of Plymouth's Old Residents
Passes Away at Cando, NJ d.

Word was received by Jesse Zeh-
ner, from his sister, Mrs George c.
| Long, of Cando, North Dakota. OF
the death of their father, VIM. Zeh-
ner, at her home Mr.. Zehner has
been visiting with his daughter, for
about four weeks, and expected to re-
turn to Plymouth next week. Death
came unexpectedly and the telegram
received by Jesse Zehner, tells only
of his demise, and that the remains
will be brought here for burial.
William Zehner is of German des-
cent but of American parentage. His
gre2tgrandfather, Adam Zehner,
came from Germany in 1746, settled
in Schuylkill county. Pennsylvania;
served in the war of the Revolution
and died in the year 1909 at the age
of SO years. His grandfather David
Zehner, was a captain in the war of
1912. AT the close of the war he en-
gagged in the milling business and died
in 1881. His father Solomon, was
a miller, as were also all of his broth
ers. seven in number Six of Solo
mons sons were millers and in 1912
he moved from Pennsylvania to
Wayne county, Indiana, and in 1851
he moved to Marshall county, settl-l
ing in the woods southeast of Argos.
where he lived two weeks under an
elm tree until he could build a log
cabin, which still remains; having
withstood the storms of over fifty
years. After a short sojourn at this
place, the Zehners bought the Wolf
Creek mill In August 1852 William
Zehner's father died and one year
later William and David Zehner be-
gan the milling business on their own
responsibility. William soon pur-
chased his brothers interest and ran
the mill alone about eight years In
1861 he erected the mill at Sligo.
which he operated until 1856 when
he moved to Plymouth and began the
manufacture of flour which he con-
tinued until his death
During his mill experience at Wolf
Greek, he operated the only mill in
Marshall county, and he used to de-
scribe his business as having been
very extensive for the time, having
been compelled to run the machinery
day and night in order to supply the
great demand for flour He kept no
books, all the pay being taken out
in toll In fact, all kinds of business
at that time was carried on by bar
ter, the only money in use being lit
tie Union Plank Road currency of
questionable value and a few state
bank notes which were about on A
par with gold About the worst
money ever saw" Mr. Zehner
would say. was that issued by indie
pendent banks. You could not tell
one day whether it would be worth
anything the next day or not.
AT the time of his death Mr.. Zeh-
ner was the proprietor of the largest
flour mill in Marshall county which
mill is now being run by his son,
Jesse.
Mr.. Zehner was married in 1858 10
Margaret l.. Grossman, of Lancaster
county, Pa, who survives him, with
six children: they are Sylvester ".
Cyrus w, Mrs Mary VanVactor,
Mrs. Salome Long, Mrs Ellen Car
pointer. and Jesse He has FIVE broth
ers all of whom are living, John,- of
Pierceton; Abraham, at Boise City,
Idaho; David and Michael at Wolf
Creek, and Solomon OF this city, and
one sister Mrs. Lydia Hullinger who
resides at Argos.
Mr.. Zehner has served four terms
as trustee OF West township, and
formerly took an active part in poll
tics,voting the Democratic ticket. He
and his wife were both members OF
the Reformed church and were held
in the highest esteem by their many
friends No funeral arrangements
have as yet been made