My Genealogy Hound

J. V. Zimmerman, whose career as a citizen and business man, as well as one of the oldest residents of Little Rock, dates from an early period (he having lived here for thirty-two years) was born in Montgomery County, Penn., and is a son of William and Mary Zimmerman, natives of the same State. The great-grandfather was a native of Holland, who came to America before the Revolution, and afterward took an active part in that event. J. V. Zimmerman remained in the State of Pennsylvania until the year 1857, attending school at Norristown, and afterward learning the jeweler’s trade with the firm of Leibert & Brown, manufacturing jewelers. His natural aptitude and quick perception soon put him in full knowledge of his art, which his employers were not slow in finding out, and though a young man, he was placed in charge of the entire establishment, remaining with them until the year 1857. In June of that year he arrived in Little Rock, and was engaged by Mr. D. C. Fulton, a prominent jeweler and watchmaker of that period, to take charge and manage his establishment. This he did with great success until the war, when he entered the service of the Capitol Guard of Little Rock as sergeant. During the Rebellion he took part in the battle of Shiloh, after which event Gen. Hardee promoted him to the rank of lieutenant, and soon after that general’s forces were reorganized he joined Hindman’s command, and was assigned to duty as a lieutenant of artillery in Capt. W. D. Blocker’s battery. The promotion of Capt. W. D. Blocker to major also promoted Lieut. Zimmerman to the captaincy, in which capacity he served until the surrender. During Price’s second raid through Missouri Capt. Zimmerman’s battery lost two guns, and Maj. W. E. Woodruff’s old battery was then consolidated with Capt. Zimmerman’s, which the latter commanded. After the war he returned to Little Rock and established himself in the jewelry business on Markham Street, and Capt. Zimmerman can now claim the distinction of being one of the oldest jewelers in the city, as well as one of its most successful business men. He was married in 1867 to Miss Mary Fisher, a daughter of Jacob Fisher, of Texas, but formerly of Alabama. Three children have been born to this union: Julia, Jessie and Mary. The latter, a bright and interesting child, died at the age of five years.