BIO: Henry W. Zimmerman, Cumberland County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/ ______________________________________________________________________ History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania. Containing History of the Counties, Their Townships, Towns, Villages, Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc.; Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men; Biographies; History of Pennsylvania; Statistical and Miscellaneous Matter, Etc., Etc. Illustrated. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/beers/beers.htm ______________________________________________________________________ PART II. HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA. CHAPTER XLIX. LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP AND BOROUGH OF NEW CUMBERLAND. 498 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: HENRY W. ZIMMERMAN, farmer, P. O. Eberly's Mill. The history of the Zimmermans in this county dates back more than a century. The grandfather of our subject, Peter Zimmerman, came from Lancaster County, Penn., in 1814, and purchased the farm now the property of Emanuel, Henry, Solomon and brothers. The original tract comprised 300 acres, on which was a stone house, now the residence of Henry Zimmerman, and which was built in 1781 by the Meisch family. Peter Zimmerman married Esther Martin, by whom he had twelve children: Christian, Henry, Peter, Samuel, Martin, Emanuel, Esther, Mary, Barbara, Annie, Julia and Elizabeth. This large family was reared on the farm, and all the sons adopted agriculture as their vocations. Peter Zimmerman, Jr., married Magdalena, daughter of Henry and Magdalena Weaver. Mr. Weaver built the stone mill now owned by Calvin Etter, and which will no doubt remain a monument to his enterprise for many years to come. Peter Zimmerman and his wife commenced their married life in York County, opposite the homestead, and when that place was sold he purchased it, and his son Henry and sister Magdalena have managed the farm since. Peter Zimmerman, Jr., and wife had six children: Esther, Moses, Mary, Henry, Peter and Magdalena. The loving wife and mother died in 1840, and four years later Mr. Zimmerman was married to Barbara Hess, by whom he had six children: Samuel, Christian, Amos, David, Benjamin and Elizabeth. The death of the father of this large family occurred in 1874. Henry W. Zimmerman worked for his father until he was thirty-five years old. In 1875 he was married to Clara A., daughter of Cosmus and Lucinda Clendenin. In 1875 our subject purchased the ancestral home, where his grandfather had reared a family of noble sons and daughters, and who rank among the leading farmers in Lower Allen Township. Henry W. and Clara A. Zimmerman have had four children born to them: Cosmus (deceased), Harry, Elmer and Howard. In a comfortable home, and encouraged by fond parents, they will no doubt do honor to the family name.