Bios: ZEIDLER, John 1823-1892: Scranton, Lackawanna Co, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Ron Bechtold. bechtolds@erols.com USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any 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. http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ____________________________________________________ Family Bio--John Zeidler Source: Genealogical and Family History of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valley, Penn, Vol 2, page 242 of 628, dated 1906. John Zeidler, deceased, one of the wealthy and influential citizens of the city of Scranton, to which he removed in 1854, a man of generous impulses, whose heart and hand were ever ready to assist those in distress and financial strats, was a native of Selb, Baveria, born Jan. 15, 1828. In 1846, at the age of eighteen years, John Zeidler emigrated to the United States and at once set about making a home for himself amid new scenes and new friends. Eight years later he setteled in Scranton, Pa. and established a bakery business at number 217 Lackawanna avenue, removing later to Franklin avenue, and this vocation he followed until the time of his death, the business then being taken charge of by his daughter, Miss Maggie Zeidler. He built Germania block on Lackawanna avenue, where he also conducted what was known as Zeidler's Restaurant, and subsequently built the Zeidler or Vally Home block, also on Lackawanna avenue, which was the most extensive block in the city at that time. He went as endorser on many notes, and when the panic of 1873 came, he was compelled to make good these notes, with the result that he lost all the property he had accumulated. Although disheartened and discouraged by this calamity, he with the characteristic determination of the countryman, at once set about to retrieve his lost fourtune and succeeded so well that at his decease he left a large and valuable estate. In 1853, at Pittston Pa, Mr Zeidler was united in marriage to Mary Bechtold, who was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, 1834, and in 1848 was broght to this country by her parents who located at Pittston. Six children were the issue of this union, five daughters and one son, Mrs Rudolph Bloeser, Mrs F.C. Diem, John L. of St. Joeseph, Missouri; Miss Maggie Zeidler, Mrs Louis Linder, and Mrs Harry S. Poust. Both Mr and Mrs Zeider were consistent members of the Zion Luthern Church, Mifflin avenue, Scranton to which they contributed liberly, also to various charities of the city, being noted for their generosity and kindheartedness to the poor and afflicted. Mr Zeidler died June 23 1892, and the services in the Lutheran church were largely attended, among those present being many of the representative people of the city, who had known and esteemed him throughtout his long residence there. The interment was in Washington Avenue cemetery. His widow passed away Sep. 15 1897, and her funeral services which were conducted from the same church were attended by many prominant in the business life of the Scranton. Her pastor, the Rev. Mr P. H. Zizelmann, preached an eloquent sermon in which he extolled the many virtues and graces of Mrs Zeidler and he spoke in hightest terms of her generosity to the church of which she was a member. She was survived by her 6 children, above named. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>