Son of Andreas Zillmann and Wilhelmina Wendt, Franz was born in the village of Frankenhain, Rehden Parish, Landkreis of Graudenz, West Prussian province of the unified German Empire.*
Known as Frank after "crossing the pond," he was the third of six known Zillmann children, two of whom who died young. He never married, living near or with relatives in Nebraska. Frank spent the last 15+ years of his life in the the Watertown, WI, Evangelical Lutheran Home for the Feebleminded [later Bethesda Lutheran Home] after being being diagnosed with epilepsy.
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*Neither Rehden or Graudenz appear on modern maps. What the Zillmanns knew as West Prussia was founded by and generally ruled by Poland until 1772 when annexed by Germany. Colonization by Germans was encouraged; it probably was during this period yet unknown Zillmann ancestors arrived. After World War I, Polish control of the area was restored and place names re-established. Rehden, Graudenz, West Prussia, is now Radzyn Chelminski, Grudziadz, Poland.
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Known as Frank after "crossing the pond," he was the third of six known Zillmann children, two of whom who died young. He never married, living near or with relatives in Nebraska. Frank spent the last 15+ years of his life in the the Watertown, WI, Evangelical Lutheran Home for the Feebleminded [later Bethesda Lutheran Home] after being being diagnosed with epilepsy.
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*Neither Rehden or Graudenz appear on modern maps. What the Zillmanns knew as West Prussia was founded by and generally ruled by Poland until 1772 when annexed by Germany. Colonization by Germans was encouraged; it probably was during this period yet unknown Zillmann ancestors arrived. After World War I, Polish control of the area was restored and place names re-established. Rehden, Graudenz, West Prussia, is now Radzyn Chelminski, Grudziadz, Poland.
____________________
Son of Andreas Zillmann and Wilhelmina Wendt, Franz was born in the village of Frankenhain, Rehden Parish, Landkreis of Graudenz, West Prussian province of the unified German Empire.*
Known as Frank after "crossing the pond," he was the third of six known Zillmann children, two of whom who died young. He never married, living near or with relatives in Nebraska. Frank spent the last 15+ years of his life in the the Watertown, WI, Evangelical Lutheran Home for the Feebleminded [later Bethesda Lutheran Home] after being being diagnosed with epilepsy.
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*Neither Rehden or Graudenz appear on modern maps. What the Zillmanns knew as West Prussia was founded by and generally ruled by Poland until 1772 when annexed by Germany. Colonization by Germans was encouraged; it probably was during this period yet unknown Zillmann ancestors arrived. After World War I, Polish control of the area was restored and place names re-established. Rehden, Graudenz, West Prussia, is now Radzyn Chelminski, Grudziadz, Poland.
____________________
Known as Frank after "crossing the pond," he was the third of six known Zillmann children, two of whom who died young. He never married, living near or with relatives in Nebraska. Frank spent the last 15+ years of his life in the the Watertown, WI, Evangelical Lutheran Home for the Feebleminded [later Bethesda Lutheran Home] after being being diagnosed with epilepsy.
_________
*Neither Rehden or Graudenz appear on modern maps. What the Zillmanns knew as West Prussia was founded by and generally ruled by Poland until 1772 when annexed by Germany. Colonization by Germans was encouraged; it probably was during this period yet unknown Zillmann ancestors arrived. After World War I, Polish control of the area was restored and place names re-established. Rehden, Graudenz, West Prussia, is now Radzyn Chelminski, Grudziadz, Poland.
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