BIO: John Zinn, Cumberland County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter

Copyright 2009.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/
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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
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                                PART II.

             HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA.

                            CHAPTER XXXVIII.

                          BOROUGH OF CARLISLE.

403  BOROUGH OF CARLISLE.

  JOHN ZINN, county clerk and recorder, Carlisle, is a native of 
Lancaster County, Penn.; was born in what is now Rhineholtz Station, 
February 26, 1830, a son of Isaac and Catherine (Spotz) Zinn, former 
born in Lancaster County, and latter born just across the county line 
in Berks County.  Isaac Zinn in early life worked at coopering; in 
April, 1834, he, with his family, came to Cumberland County and settled 
on a farm near Barnitz Mill, in Dickinson Township.  They were the 
parents of six children:  John, the eldest; Eliza, wife of Jacob Hess, 
a resident of Penn Township; Hannah, deceased at the age of three 
years; Catherine, wife of William W. Spandler, a farmer of Mifflin 
Township; William, who married Jane Fickes, and resides in Cumberland 
County; and George, who married Lucy Straw, and resides on a farm near 
Centerville.  John worked on the farm, attending and teaching school 
until his marriage, September 16, 1858, with Miss Mary R. Spangler, who 
was born at Mount Hope, Cumberland County, a daughter of William and 
Nancy (Sheaffer) Spangler.  Mr. Zinn, after his marriage, settled on 
his father's farm in Penn Township, and engaged in agriculture for 
three years; then for four years was occupied in teaching school after 
which, for thirteen years, he was engaged as a farmer in Cumberland 
County.  During two years he drove stage from Carlisle to Shippensburg, 
residing at Centerville.  Subsequently, and until he was elected clerk 
and recorder of Cumberland County, in November, 1884, he was occupied 
in keeping a warehouse at Longsdorf Station one year and a half, 
farming four years, and carrying on a general store at Hockersville.  
To his marriage with Miss Spangler eight children were born:  Anna M. 
C., wife of Parker H. Trego, of Carlisle; George B. McClellan, who 
married Alice Coover, and resides in Cumberland County; Philip S., who 
married Miss Sarah Bar-

404  BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

rick, and is a resident of Cumberland County; William I. N.; Thomas E. 
E.; John W., who died young; Harry C. S. and Edward C. S.  The Zinns 
have been identified with this section of the county for many years.  
Jabob, the great-grandfather of John, was born in Lancaster County.  
His eldest son, Peter, married a Miss Swigert, and was the father of 
four sons and three daughters, of whom Isaac, the father of John, was 
one.  Our subject in 1867 was elected a justice of the peace of Penn 
Township; was re-elected in 1872, and again in 1877, holding the office 
over thirteen years.  He has discharged the duties of his present 
office with credit to himself, and to the satisfaction of his 
constituents.  Mr. Zinn is a member of the Lutheran Church.  Mrs. Zinn 
died September 6, 1885, a member of the Lutheran Church.