F. W. Zeits
F. W. Zeits, one of Allen County's representative men and one of Beaver Dam's leading business citizens, recently elected county recorder, was born in Perry township August 7, 1874, and is a son of John and Phillipena (Kock) Zeits.
John Zeits was born in Nassau, Germany, in December, 1835, and was 18 years old when he accompanied his parents to the United States. His father settled in Allen County, Ohio, near Westminster. John Zeits has lived in Perry township for the past 35 years. He married Phillipena Kock, who was born near Wittenberg, Germany, and died in November, 1904, at the age of 58 years. She was also 18 years old when she came to the United States. They had three children namely: Mollie, wife of Rufus Creps, of Westminster; Lewis, of Perry township; and F. W., of Beaver Dam.
F. W. Zeits remained on his father's farm until he was 25 years of age, attending the local schools until 17 years old, and spending two years of this period at the Ohio Normal University at Ada, Ohio. After leaving school, he taught several terms. At the opening of the Spanish-American War he enlisted in Company C. Second Ohio Infantry, U. S. Volunteers, under Capt. Frank M. Bell, and was mustered into the United States service. He spent three months in camp at Chickamauga Park, went then to Knoxville, Tennessee, and to Macon, Georgia, and was mustered out February 10, 1899.
After his return from the army, Mr. Zeits remained one year longer on the farm and then located in Beaver Dam. This was during the oil boom and he worked in the oil field for six months, after which he embarked in his present grocery and shoe business.
On June 10, 1900, Mr. Zeits was married to Lena Franklin, who was born in Allen County, Ohio, and is a daughter of J. A. Franklin, of Perry township. They have one child, Vera.
Mr. Zeits is a stanch Democrat and was honored with election to the office of county recorder in November, 1905. He has efficiently served in a number of official capacities and in 1898 was elected township clerk but did not serve on account of enlisting for service in the Spanish-American War as above mentioned. He belongs to Beaver Dam Lodge, No. 689, I. O. O. F., to Rainbow Encampment, I. O. O. F., of Bluffton; to LaFayette Lodge, F. & A. M.; and to Lodge No. 39, United Spanish War Veterans, of Lima. He was confirmed in the German Reformed Church.