My Genealogy Hound

LOUIS ZEIGLER grain merchant, Chenoa; was born on the river Rhine, in Bavaria, Germany, July 17, 1837. In 1852, his father removed with his family to this country, and settled in Ohio; he went to Maysville, Ky., and learned the wagon-maker’s trade; three years later he went to Russellville Ohio, where he worked as a journeyman two years; he then came to Bloomington and followed his trade until 1859, when he settled in Chenoa; he established the first wagon and plow business in the place, building a small shop in 1860, and adding a blacksmith shop in 1861; in 1865, he erected the Chenoa Plow and Wagon Factory, costing with the machinery, $6,000; he continued in this business until 1870, when his manufactory was burned down He was then elected Sergeant-at-Arms of the Illinois State Senate, and served two years. After revisiting his native country, he, in 1873, in company with John Dehner of Pontiac, purchased the Chenoa Flour Mill, and ran it till 1876, when that was destroyed by fire. In 1877, he erected another mill, which, in its turn, burned down in March, 1878, since which time he has been engaged in the grain business. In 1861, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and served four years; he also served two terms as Mayor of Chenoa in 1869 and 1870 and was a member of the Republican Central Committee of McLean Co. five years, from 1872 to 1877. He was married Dec. 25, 1862, to Miss Maggie J. Gample, of Livingston Co., and has two children - William Henry and Jennie Louise. Mr. Zeigler is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity; for twelve years, beginning in 1861, he served as Master of Chenoa Lodge, No. 292, A., F. & A. M.; was the first High Priest of Chenoa Chapter, No. 143, R. A. M., for five years from 1870, and at present fills that office; he has been connected with the Grand Lodge of Illinois since 1862, being at present Grand Senior Warden; he has also been a member of the Yates City Consistory of Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Masons, in Peoria, since 1869.