Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-06-26
ENERGETIC BOY ROSE
THROUGH GRIT FROM
BOTTOM OF LADDER
/. Fred Zimmerman, Sr.,
Quit Sweeper's Job to Be
Doorkeeper in Arch st.
Theatre-Worked Hard
and Never Complained.

Some years ago rather industrious
boy did odd jobs about a iewelry shop.
ne swept out the place, cleaned the win
dows, tended the fires, ran errands and
helped with other work just to keep busy
For this he was rewarded each week with
dollar and a half.
But he was cheerful about It ALL and
laughed and whistled while he worked
He spent nve years in the shop, and as
ames were hard, salary increases were
r,w and far between. 1t was just about
tse time Of the Civil War, and most peo-
ble we're glad they were living.
The youngster finally saw what he
thought a better opportunity. 1t was u
lob as pit doorkeeper at the old Arch
street. Theatre, then known as Wheatley
& Drews. He took his sunnp dspo-
rtIon with him and had a happy word
for those who passed beyond the official
portals.
Nor did It take him long to get ac-
oualnted with the actor folk, and he al
ways knew what the bill for the coming
week was. And any one who wanted to
know anything in this connection always
asked the little doorkeeper, who was a
yerItable bureau of information.
He did little more than he had to do
and had initiative without knowing Just
axactly what 1t was
The boy soon found that courtesy and
4 Willingness to obllge others made
winning combination. He little dreamed
that he YVES opening a greater door all
the time-the door of opportunity, which
led 10 the path that enabled him to be-
come a powa5 in the theatrical world.
But It was 80. The boy was j. Fred
ST..
watching Freddie, and when he opened
The Chestnut Street Theatre about so years
ago he made him box bookkeeper"
the former term for treasurer. The Job
fitted Young Zimmerman like a glove,
and the new house was opened most
auspioiously with Edwin Forrest, a great
traFedian.
1t was here that the former doorkeeper
developed the characteristics which were
to count in his eventful future. There
were no fancy jobs in those days and
everybody had to work The youthful
treasurer found himself doing many other
things In connection with the business.
Even shen he talked to the point and
paid yes" and mo" quickly and de-
cidedly.
Some time later the energetic youth ac-
cepted a position at the Olympic Theatre,
New York, and subsequently went on the |
road for eight years with an operatic |
combInatlon as treasurer and manager. |
Ho emerged from this experience with |
the same firm characteristics. and with |
8. F. Nixon, of this city, leased the Chest
nut Street Opera House. That was about |
s5 years ago. How they prospered is a
matter of history
Mr.. Zimmerman made II point to take
4 man at his word, and many of his Inn
p0rtant contracts were made In verbal
form only. The complicated phraseology
Of The somewhat weird theatrical con-
tracts did not appeal to him in the least
He frequently asserted, "If can't take
q mans word don't want his contract"
a few years ago the former doorkeeper
Started to build some theatres on his own
account, and now owns four exclusively
N the northwestern section of the city.
He has a handsome home on North
Broad street and a beautiful estate near
Ilensde, which is known as villa Vesta.
HIS two sons, j, Fred, Jr., and Frank,
followed In their fathers footsteps.