Denver, History of Colorado, BIOS: ZIMMERMAN, Fred D. (published 1918) *********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. *********************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Maggie Stewart-Zimmerman http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00015.html#0003643 October 25, 1999 *********************************************************************** "History of Colorado", edited by Wilbur Fisk Stone, published by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. (1918) Vol. II p. 331-332 FRED D. ZIMMERMAN. Fred D. Zimmerman, advertising manager for the Continental Oil Company of Denver, displays in this connection a spirit of marked initiative that leads him to take advanced steps in untried fields, but the wisdom of his Judgment in this regard is manifested by the results achieved. Mr. Zimmerman is a native of Pennsylvania. He was born in Greenville. February 1, 1872. a son of the late Mathias Zimmerman, also a native of the Keystone state and a member of one of its old families of German lineage. The progenitor of the American branch of the family was Jacob Zimmerman, who served as an officer under General Washington in the Continental army. Colonel William H. Zimmerman, an uncle of Fred D. Zimmerman, commanded a regiment in the Civil war, being colonel of the Twenty-third Ohio Infantry and the superior officer of Major William McKinley. Three other uncles of Mr. Zimmerman of this review were also veterans of the Civil war and the youngest of the brothers, Joseph Zimmerman, was killed before Richmond. Mathias Zimmerman was for many years engaged in the harness and saddlery business in Greenville, Pennsylvania, and in 1876 removed to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he continued business along the same line to the time of his death, which occurred in 1902, when he had reached the age of sixty-three years. He was very successful in the conduct of his commercial interests and his intelligent direction of his efforts gave him a very creditable standing in business circles. He possessed a studious nature, read broadly and thought deeply. His religious faith was indicated in his membership in the Methodist church, to which he was most devoted. He married Lauretta McDowell, who was born in Greenville, Pennsylvania. Her mother belonged to the prominent Leach family of that state. Her father was Mathias McDowell, a leading railroad contractor, who also owned and operated woollen mills and was identified with other very important industries of the state. He became very wealthy and his business activities constituted a most valuable contributing factor to the upbuilding of that section of the country. He was one of the first settlers of Mercer county and brought over the mountains the first sewing machine ever used in that section of the state. His daughter, Mrs. Zimmerman, died in 1898 at the age of forty- three years. By her marriage she had become the mother of two children, Fred D. and Maude, but the latter is now deceased. Fred D. Zimmerman partially acquired his education in the public schools of Indianapolis and partly under the direction of his father, who took a most active interest in the early training and intellectual development of his children. When a youth of sixteen years Fred D. Zimmerman started out in the business world, his first position being that of clerk in a grocery store in Indianapolis. He afterward became active in connection with the printing and engraving business and for five years was with the firm of R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company of Chicago in an executive position. He left that city because of the ill health of his daughter and removed to Denver, where he arrived on the 17th of March, 1905. He immediately became associated with the Williamson-Haffner Company as assistant general manager and was connected with that business until September, 1917, when he assumed his present position with the Continental Oil Company, being made general advertising manager of this business, -which is a twelve million dollar corporation. Mr. Zimmerman is a high class advertising man, regarded as one of the best in the country. He has had a large and diversified experience in advertising matters and is a charter member of the old Ad Club of Indianapolis. He was also in the general advertising business on his own account in that city for eighteen months a number of years ago. He stands in an advanced position in the general field of advertising and he has ever been in the front rank of those men who are devoting their activities to this field. In tact. he has led the way, educating many to the needs of advertising, and the Continental Oil Company is fortunate in commanding his services. On the 9th of September, 1894, in Indianapolis, Mr. Zimmerman was united in marriage to Miss Christie Inglis, a native of that city and a daughter of Alexander and Elizabeth (Wands) Inglis. The Wands were among the first settlers of Indianapolis, arriving there when the town contained only a few log cabins. To Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman has been born a daughter, Alice May. In his political views Mr. Zimmerman has always been a stalwart republican where national questions and issues are involved but casts an independent local ballot. While a resident of Indiana he took a very active part in politics but has never sought or desired office as a reward for party fealty. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias, has membership with the Ad Men's Club, the Optimists Club, the Denver Civic and Commercial Association and other organizations. He is the secretary and treasurer of the Optimists Club and is a director of that club and also of the Ad Club. For recreation and diversion he turns to fishing and outdoor life, but above all other interests, club life, outdoor life or business life, he prefers his home, his interest there centering, and he counts no personal effort on his part too great if it will promote the happiness or advance the welfare of his wife and daughter. A spirit of progress has actuated him at all points in his career and his advancement has been steady as the result of the wise utilization of his time and his opportunities.