Peter Zipfel, born in Schlatt (Bad Krozingen) in Baden Germany came to the U.S. in 1864 when the Civil War was as its heighth. His parents were Bernard Zipfel, a schoolteacher, and Cecilia Willig. He first lived in Youngstown OH where he tried to enlist for the Union Army. He was rejected and continued his trek westward. In Nashville IL he worked as a watchmaker, had jewellery businesses and was elected mayor of Nashville for 5 terms. In 1906 when the Farmers and Merchants National Bank was organized he became its first president and remained in this position until his death at the age of 97 in 1943. His obituary named him the "Grand Old Man of Nashville". He was believed to have been the oldest active bank president in the United States.
Peter Ziegel was a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows Orders for more than 50 years.
In 1872 he was married to Antoinette Bimmermann, also known as "Aunt Nettie". After her death he remarried to Ida Bimmermann Axtell, widow of William Carr Axtell.
As his brother Andreas Zipfel did who followed him in travelling to America in late 1869, Peter Zipfel changed the name to Ziegel after arriving the U.S.
Peter Zipfel, born in Schlatt (Bad Krozingen) in Baden Germany came to the U.S. in 1864 when the Civil War was as its heighth. His parents were Bernard Zipfel, a schoolteacher, and Cecilia Willig. He first lived in Youngstown OH where he tried to enlist for the Union Army. He was rejected and continued his trek westward. In Nashville IL he worked as a watchmaker, had jewellery businesses and was elected mayor of Nashville for 5 terms. In 1906 when the Farmers and Merchants National Bank was organized he became its first president and remained in this position until his death at the age of 97 in 1943. His obituary named him the "Grand Old Man of Nashville". He was believed to have been the oldest active bank president in the United States.
Peter Ziegel was a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows Orders for more than 50 years.
In 1872 he was married to Antoinette Bimmermann, also known as "Aunt Nettie". After her death he remarried to Ida Bimmermann Axtell, widow of William Carr Axtell.
As his brother Andreas Zipfel did who followed him in travelling to America in late 1869, Peter Zipfel changed the name to Ziegel after arriving the U.S.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
