OBIT: John H. ZINN, 1930, Meyersdale, Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

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JOHN H. ZINN

John H. Zinn Victim of Gas
Meyersdale Man Found Dead in His Car in His Garage Due to Noxious Fumes

  John H. Zinn, well known citizen of Meyersdale, aged 62, was found dead in his 
automobile in his garage at his home on North Street Tuesday morning.
  There was a question as to whether his death was caused by apoplexy or 
monoxide gas.  An inquest conducted by Acting Coroner M. R. Leckemby, resulted 
in a verdict of accidental death through inhalation of carbon monoxide.
  The body of Mr. Zinn was found by his wife, who became alarmed when he failed 
to return to the house after stating that he was going to the garage Monday 
night to work on his car.  Mrs. Zinn found the garage doors open and the lights 
of the car still burning and then discovered her husband's lifeless form on the 
front seat of the car.  His face was badly swollen and discolored. 
  The fact that both doors of the garage were open seemed to make it improbable 
that his death was caused by fumes from the automobile, but as there was a heavy 
fog and no air movement during the night, the gas generated when he had the 
engine running while working on the car evidently saturated the air in the 
garage to such an extent that he was overcome by it while at work.  Probably 
feeling ill from it, he stretched himself out on the seat of the car and 
succumbed to the poison.
  John H. Zinn was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Henry Zinn.  He was born at 
Mt. Savage, Md., May 1, 1868.  When he was yet a young child his parents moved 
to Berkley's Mills, three miles north of Meyersdale.  He grew up at that place.  
Most of his life was spent in Meyersdale and vicinity.  When a young man he 
taught school for several terms.  He worked in the Meyersdale Planing Mill for a 
while and had one of his hands badly mangled by machinery.  He was employed by 
the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad for several years in a clerical position, and for 
seven years he had charge of a store for the Quemahoning Coal Company, at 
Stoyestown.  For the last few years Mr. Zinn and his wife had made their home 
with the latter's mother, Mrs. Henry Kuhs, on North Street.  He is survived by 
his wife and two sisters, Mrs. Frank Woy, of Somerset, and Mrs. Emma Ridinger, 
of Pittsburgh.
  Mr. Zinn had been out of work for some time, but told friends on Monday that 
he had secured a job and had to fix up his car so he could go to work in it on 
Tuesday morning.
  Funeral services were held at his late home at 4 o'clock this (Thursday) 
afternoon, Rev. J. Luther Frantz, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church, officiating.  
R. Reich & Son were the undertakers in charge.  Interment was made in Union 
Cemetery.  Mr. Zinn had many friends and there was a large turn-out at his 
funeral and many beautiful floral tributes.

Meyersdale Republican, November 20, 1930