Peter Zimmerly
Peter Zimmerly was born in Riley township, Putnam County, Ohio, February 2, 1839, but has been an honored resident of Allen County since 1868, when he moved to Richland township and purchased his present farm of 120 acres, located in section 10. Mr Zimmerly is a son of John and Anna (Berner) Zimmerly, both of whom were natives of Alsace, France. The father, who was born about 1780, came to America when a young man, locating first in Wayne County, Ohio, and later in Putnam County, where he died in 1855. He had entered a quarter-section of land in Riley township, most of which he had cleared and put under cultivation. It was in this county he met and married Anna Berner, who was born in 1801 and came to this country when a young woman with her mother and a party of emigrants. She passed away on the homestead on March 23, 1895, at the ripe age of 93 years, 11 months and 18 days, leaving three children and a large circle of friends to regret her death. Our subject is the eldest son. John has passed to the higher life. Christopher lives on the homestead in Riley township, Putnam County, and is a preacher of the Mennonite faith.
Peter Zimmerly spent the earlier years of his life in his native county where he was married on May 5, 1868, to Annie Bixler, who was born in Holmes County, Ohio, in 1842, and was a daughter of Peter and Fannie (Dealer) Bixler. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Zimmerly came with his bride to Allen County to make a home for himself. Three children have blessed their home, namely: John, who resides in Richland township; Lucinda, wife of William Balmer, of Richland township; and Eli, who lives in Bluffton. Mrs. Zimmerly died in 1881, and in 1882 our subject was married to Mary Ann Kiner, who was born in Canton Bern, Switzerland, August 4, 1858, and came to America when a young girl of 17 years, accompanied by two brothers. Her parents were John and Barbara (Zurgher) Kiner. Mrs. Zimmerly has borne her husband seven children, viz: Ida, wife of Frederick Kratz, of Pandora, Ohio; Maggie, who lives at home; Elvina, Llewellyn, Clara, Melvin and Mary Ann. All the members of the family can understand and speak English perfectly; but when at home they converse wholly in German in order that the younger members may be thorough in their knowledge and use of that tongue. Mr. Zimmerly is one of the influential and prosperous farmers of Richland township, and has his farm well improved, the land being all under cultivation except some 12 acres of woodland pasture. He raises large quanties of grain and also deals quite extensively in stock. He is a member of the Mennonite Church and a good man. A Democrat in politics, he has served as a member of the School Board and also as road commissioner.