Hello,
I am trying to locate any information I can on my Great great grandfather,
Samuel Minich Ziegler and his ancestors. My uncle who is 80 years old has been
able to trace every other member of his family but Samuel and his ancestors. If
anyone could help us, please write to this list or to srpolan(a)aol.com with
the subject line: Samuel M. Ziegler.
All the information that we have is below.
Also if anyone has any information on the Minich's or Benders it would be of
great help.
Thank you, Susan R. Polan
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Philip Ziegler: Born (Est 1775) in Germany. When he was 12 yrs. old his
parents brought him to the USA. On the same ship was the Minich family.
Both families settled Cumberland County, Penn. Later the Minich's moved
to Franklin County, Penn.
When he was a resident of Pa. it was an unbroken wilderness.
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Had a son, Charles, born Abt 1800. Died when his son Samuel Minich Ziegler
was only one year old.
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Samuel Minich Ziegler: 25 Jul 1822, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
BIOGRAPHY: 1885
Portrait and Biography Album of Rock Island County, Illinois
Chicago Biographical Publishing Company 1885
Samuel M. Ziegler, a general farmer, residing on Section 8, of South Moline
Township, and a gentleman well respected in the community, is the son of
Charles and Sarah [Minich] Ziegler, who were natives of the Keystone State
[Pennsylvania], and the parents of two children;
Samuel Minich [the elder] and Charles F.
S. M. Ziegler was born in Cumberland County, Pa. July 25, 1822. He was
reared under the care of his parents, attending the common schools until about 14
years of age, when he started out in life for himself. He then worked on a
farm until he became of age. The quiet, peaceful life of a farmer has always
possessed a charm for him, and since the day he left home, he has ever engaged in
agricultural pursuits. He came to Rock Island in the spring of 1849 and the
following spring, he located in Moline Township, where he has since lived, and
where he owned a farm of 106 acres, most of which is in a tillable condition.
His pleasant home with its surroundings…
S.M.Z. was married in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania May 23 1844, to Miss
Catherine, daughter of Joseph and Susanna [Goode] Bender, who were also
natives of Pennsylvania.
BIOGRAPHY: 1897
Portrait and Biography Album of Rock Island County, Illinois
Chicago Biographical Publishing Company 1897
Ziegler, S. M.
Made home on Section 8 on 18th of April 1849.
Born July 22, 1822 in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, son of Charles and
Sarah [Minich] Ziegler, both in same county of German parentage. The Ziegler and
Minich families came to America on the same vessel and settled in the same
neighborhood in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, but the Minich's later sold
their property and removed to Franklin County, Pennsylvania.
The birth of Philip Ziegler, Samuel M. Ziegler paternal Grandfather,
occurred in the Fatherland, but at [the] age of 12 years he was brought by parents
to [the] New World, becoming a resident of Pennsylvania when it was almost an
unbroken wilderness.
The mother of S. M. Ziegler was of a family of 9 girls and in early life
she often assisted in working in fields.
The father dying when Samuel M. was only 1-½ years old. Mrs. Ziegler again
married, but she too, passed away at age of thirty years.
After father's death S. M. Z. lived with paternal Grandpapa (Phillip
Ziegler) until 9 years of age when he returned to his mother in Franklin County and
made his home until her death. In the meantime, however, he ran away but just
before reaching his Grandpapa's home in Cumberland County, was caught and
taken back. With his stepfather he remained for a while, was later with an Uncle,
and subsequently spent 3 years with a farmer, during which time he was allowed
to attend public schools where he acquired a good education.
At age 14 went to live with another Uncle, who had been appointed his
guardian, and remained upon his farm for 4 years, after which he worked for other
farmers until attaining his majority.
On the 23rd of May 1844, S. M. Z. married in Cumberland County, Miss
Catherine Bender, who was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, but was reared in
Cumberland County where her Papa became a substantial farmer. After he married
S. M. Z. located on the Old Homestead, where he followed agricultural
pursuits until 1847, [the] following year [he] went west to look up a location.
Purchased 150 acres in Moline Township, Illinois, which was partially improved, the
bottomland being under cultivation, as it was one of the first farms to be
settled in the country. In spring 1849, [he] brought family here and after
spending [a] year in Rock Island, he located upon his farm, which he had converted
into one of the most highly cultivated tracts of the county.
Six children born to them, four now deceased [1897].
Charles J. married and removed to Creston, Iowa, where he engaged in business
and there his death occurred.
William Henry died in childhood.
Mrs. Martha Matilda McClure is a widow residing in Davenport, Iowa.
Kate Elizabeth is wife of A. S. Gunn, resident of Chicago, Illinois.
C. Jean (Clara Jeannette) married William Craig Wilson.
Albert S. also married, but both are now deceased.
Since voting for A. Lincoln in 1860, S. M. Z. has supported every nominee
of Republican Party.
Has been Commissioner of Highways, Supervisor and School director which he
filled for 30 consecutive years, during which time he did much to improve
grade of schools in his district.
In 1845 joined the Order of Odd Fellows in Pennsylvania, at present not
connected with any lodge.