Levi Zimmerman
Today marks the 95th. anniversary of the birth of Levi Zimmerman, of 288 W. Fourth Street. Mr. Zimmerman is one of the oldest of Richland County pioneers, Hiram Smith being the only resident of Mansfield who is older than the venerable old man. Although lacking but five years of reaching the century mark, Mr. Zimmerman still retains remarkable use of all his faculties. His sight and hearing although failing are still good. The people of Mansfield have always felt the deepest interest in Mr. Zimmerman. The estimable character of the old gentleman has won for him innumerable friends who view with pleasure the successful passing through one year after year. The unwonted longevity of the life of Mr. Zimmerman has also attracted the attention of the citizens of Mansfield all of whom heartily desire that he pass the century mark before being called to his eternal home. Mr. Zimmerman, although not enjoying as good health as a year ago, is still able to get around with remarkable celerity considering his advanced age. His mind is wonderfully lucid and while filled with reminiscences of his younger days, he still takes the liveliest interest in the doings of the world today. A little over a year ago Mr. Zimmerman sustained a severe fall and he has never quite recovered from the shock. While resting, Mr. Zimmerman feels in the best of health but when walking or moving about, he finds that the [Text missing from photocopy]and two years later in company with his uncle, he moved to this county. The family of nine of which Levi was the oldest, lived in a log cabin of only one room in Orange Township, now part of Ashland County. Levi set himself to mastering the trade of tin and copper smithing, later practicing in Massillon, Norwalk and this city. Later, he opened a shop in Bucyrus but soon returned to this city. He has resided here continuously since 1834 with the exception of a few months when he joined the rush to the newly opened gold fields of California. He went to California in 1850, going by way of the Isthmus of Panama. He practiced his trade instead of prospecting. He worked in Sacramento and in a mining camp named Marysville. Mr. Zimmerman recalls that he was forced to pay $210 for a months rent of one half of a tent. Louis Vonhof, the building of the present Vonhof Hotel, was also in California at that time. Returning to the city in 1815, Mr. Zimmerman again took up the practice of his trade. In 1855 he married Miss Mary Ann George of Bucyrus. Four children were born of the marriage, three of whom are still living, they being Mrs. M.E. Douglass, Mrs. H.C. Hedges and a son Eli. All of his brothers and sisters are dead with the exception of the youngest, who resides in California and whom Mr. Zimmernan has not seen for twenty years. Of the old residents of Mansfield only Hiram Smith and Mrs. J.H. Cook are still living. Although failing, Mr. Zimmerman still gives promise of becoming a centenarian. Mr. Zimmerman is deeply interested in all of the members of his family and was deeply pleased a week ago by the receipt of a letter from a nephew G.F. Zimmerman of Seattle, Wash. Mr. Zimmernan after wishing his uncle good health indites [sic.] a beautiful little poem of his own composition.
From The Mansfield Daily Shield, April 17, 1909