Peter ZIMMERMAN, a prominent representative of business interests in Wenona, where he is engaged in merchandising and ako deals in cattle, is one of the men of foreign birth who, adapting themselves to altered conditions and the different customs of their adopted country, have made steady and substantial advancement in the world of trade. He was born on the Rhine in Germany, October 4, 1852, and is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (ALTENHAFEN) ZIMMERMAN, who were likewise born on the Rhine in Germany. The father was a cattle dealer and butcher and died in the town of Essen. His wife has also passed away. In their family were nine children, of whom eight are now living: Englebird, Henry, William, Peter, August, John, Marguerite and Louisa. Marguerite resides in Bonn on the Rhine and Louisa is living in Chicago. All of the sons excepting Peter are still in Germany and all of them are living on the Rhine and are engaged in the stock and commission business in the same town in which the father carried on business.
Peter ZIMMERMAN was educated in the public schools and early became familiar with the cattle trade through the assistance which he rendered his father. In 1872, at the age of nineteen years, he sailed from Antwerp with his sister Louisa and landed in New York city, whence he went to Sterling, Illinois, where he engaged in the butchering business. He followed his trade in a number of places before locating in Wenona, taking up his abode here in 1881, since which time he has been a resident of this city. He has here engaged extensively in dealing in cattle and in the butchering business and has been very prosperous in his undertaking. On the 1st of March, 1905, he opened a mercantile store in Tonica, where he has done an excellent business. He was engaged in merchandising in Wenona for four years under the firm name of Zimmerman & Hoge and is now engaged in buying and selling cattle. In all of his business affairs he has displayed an aptitude for successful management combined with a keen discernment and unfaltering energy whereby he has attained a large measure of success. Whatever he undertakes he carries forward to completion and his business record is most creditable and commendable.
Mr. ZIMMERMAN was married in 1886 to Miss Anna WIESBACH, a native of Germany, who came to this country when only three years old. Mr. and Mrs. ZIMMERMAN now have four living children: John, Arthur, Esther and Peter J. Mr. ZIMMERMAN has made several trips back to his native land, finding pleasure in revisiting the scenes of his youth and renewing the acquaintances of his earlier years, but while he has a strong love for his native country he has a still deeper attachment for the land of his adoption. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian church and they are highly esteemed residents of Wenona. where their circle of friends is large and constantly growing. His business interests too have constantly developed during his residence in the new world and he has worked his way upward from a humble position, making a business record which any man might be proud to possess.
Extracted July 2011 by Norma Hass from Past and Present of Marshall and Putnam Counties Illinois, 1907.
| Bureau | Putnam | |
| Stark |
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La Salle |
| Peoria | Woodford |
