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Zimmerman, Henry

From the "The Village of Harlem: Its People, Homes and Business – 50th Anniversary Souvenir 1856 to 1906"

"It is always a great stimulus and inspiration to the younger people of the community to have brought to their memories the history of those pioneer settlers who came to the place when it was a new, endured privations, struggled against adversity, planned, labored, and finally overcame all difficulties till they saw the full fruition of their highest hopes.  To these first and early settlers we owe a debt of gratitude and praise that can never be paid.  On them should rest the highest honor for genuine heroism without a peer.  Among these honored veterans pioneer settlers stands the name of Mr. Henry Zimmerman, who, with others, is the oldest inhabitant of Harlem.  Mr. Zimmerman's sister, Mrs. Hasse, and her husband, Mr, F. Hasse, came to the place about the same time.  These three are the oldest living settlers.

"Mr. Zimmerman was born in Germany in 1843, and came to what is now Harlem with his parents (1849) when he was six years old.  His father being a farmer, and there being so much work for every member of the family on the farm in those early days, Mr. Zimmerman as a boy did not enjoy the privileges of a common school education, but by utilizing his spare time he acquired the rudiments of a fair education, and hence can be called a self-educated man.  Coming into manhood, he followed the bent of his father, became a farmer, and cultivated a part of the land on which the village now stands.  For the past sixteen years he has been a coal dealer on Franklin St. near Harlem Ave.

"Mr. Zimmerman was the first president of the town board.  After his term expired he was elected trustee, seving six years.  Four years ago he was again elected and served a term as trustee.  He was township collector before incorporation.  IN the early days he was county constable for eight years; and he relates that the people were so peaceable, and so few arrests were made, that the fees of the office made a very light showing on the credit side of his bank account.  'Boodling' had not come into fashion then."

"Among Mr. Zimmerman's early recollections the Chicago and Galena Union, now the C. & N. W. R. R., completed it tracks as far as Elgin, using the old strap rails, with 6x8 timbers.  The trains made such slow speed that he could easily race them.  The first station post office was first Oak Ridge, then Sand Ridge, and Harlem.

"In 1863 Mr. Zimmerman was married to Miss Mary Lange of Harlem.  They have two sons and one daughter living.  The sons, Henry and Frank, are married and in business in the village; the daughter, Miss Elizabeth, lives at home."


Last Modified:  01/13/2003