Denver County, History of Colorado, BIOS: ZAHN, John Edward (published 1918)
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"History of Colorado", edited by Wilbur Fisk Stone, published by The S. J. 
Clarke Publishing Co. (1918)  Vol. II

p. 47-48


JOHN EDWARD ZAHN.

	John Edward Zahn, secretary and general manager of the United 
States Portland Cement Company, is one of Denver's well and favorably 
known business men. His great energy and push have not only contributed 
to the city's business development in a substantial way but have been 
solely responsible for his individual success. Within a comparatively 
few years he has attained a prominent position among the wide-awake and 
aggressive business men of Denver. A native of Chicago, Illinois, he 
was born February 23, 1871, and is a son of Peter and Margaret 
(Klingensmith) Zahn, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father 
came to the new world when about twenty years of age, becoming an early 
resident of Chicago. He learned the blacksmith's trade and afterward 
followed the business on his own account at Deer-field, Illinois, where 
he became proprietor of an extensive wagon manufacturing and 
blacksmithing establishment. He enjoys the respect and confidence of 
all who know him. He is now a resident of Chicago. His wife came with 
her parents to the new world when a young girl and was reared, educated 
and married in Chicago, continuing her residence in that city from 1867 
to the time of her death in 1913. She was then sixty-six years of age, 
her birth having occurred in Germany in 1847. To Mr. and Mrs. Zahn were 
born three children: J. E.; Julia, now the wife of Edward J. Hintz; and 
George F. The last two are residents of Chicago.

	J. E. Zahn pursued his early education in the schools of 
Deerfield, Illinois, and afterward worked as a farm hand, while later 
he was employed in connection with the iron and steel business in 
Chicago until 1887, when he became connected with the bakers' supply 
business. He worked along that line as manager of credits to the age of 
eighteen years, when he came to Denver, arriving in this city on the 
1st of September, 1890. He secured a position as bookkeeper with the 
Hax-Gartner Furniture Company, with which he continued for a year, and 
later he became associated with the Mouat Lumber Company of Denver, 
with which he remained until the firm failed during the widespread 
financial panic of 1893. With a capital of but five dollars and without 
any bright prospects before him, Mr. Zahn then embarked in the book and 
stationery business. He paid two dollars and a half of his capital for 
a month's rent and with the balance secured his first stock of goods. 
Associated with Mr. Zahn was E. H. Pierce and the firm later became 
known as the Pierce-Zahn Book Company. Under their capable management 
the trade steadily grew and the business became one of the leading 
enterprises of that character in Denver. Mr. Zahn remained an active 
factor in its control and management until 1906, when he sold out his 
interest in the company, which is still conducted by others under the 
original firm name. Turning his attention to mining and real estate 
interests, while thus engaged Mr. Zahn became connected with the United 
States Portland Cement Company and took active charge of its business 
in Denver in 1909. He has since built up a large and growing business 
and as the secretary and general manager of the company has won success 
and prosperity that reflects in no small degree to his credit. He is 
also largely interested in other manufacturing lines aside from his 
connection with the United States Portland Cement Company.

	On the 19th of May. 1892. Mr. Zahn was married to Miss Lillie E. 
Miller, of Chicago, Illinois, a daughter of George and Mary Miller, 
also natives of that city. In politics Mr. Zahn has always maintained 
an independent course. Fraternally he is a Knight Templar Mason and is 
connected with the Royal Arcanum. He belongs to the Manufacturers 
Association and to the Denver Civic and Commercial Association, of both 
of which he is a director. He is a prominent member of the Denver 
Rotary Club, in the work of which he takes a very active part. He was 
for one year a governor of the international organization, his 
jurisdiction being over the states of Colorado, Montana, Utah, Idaho 
and Wyoming. He has been Identified with various activities of Denver 
which are looking to the general advancement of the city along the 
lines of material progress and improvement and his life record 
indicates what may be accomplished through intensive effort and 
efficiency.