LEWIS ZIMMER is now retired from active labor as a farmer and is living at the corner of Jefferson and Twelfth streets in Beardstown. He was born in Frankfort-on-the-Main in Hesse-Darmstadt, July 28, 1819. He came of Hesse-Darmstadt parents, his father, John Zimmer being a German farmer in a small way and died when ninety-two years of age. He was an active old man to the last, and when seventy-five thought nothing of walking twelve miles. He was a tried and loyal soldier and served his country for six years as one. His wife, whose maiden name was Margaret Snyder, died at the age of eighty, at the same place as her husband. She came of a long lived family. They were both members of the State Church of Hesse-Darmstadt.

Lewis is the youngest, but one of nine children born to his parents. Several of the family are still living and married, but Lewis is the only one who came to the United States. He grew up on the farm in his native country and after he became of age he enlisted as a soldier in the regular Germany army, serving six years; when he received his honorable discharge, he came to the United States, leaving in August, 1846. He sailed from France on a three-mast sailing vessel, landing in New York city after thirty-one days' passage. He came thence to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, locating fourteen miles west of that city and began life in the new country as a day laborer. After about three years he came to Cass county, Illinois, through the influence of a German friend who lived there. Here he has lived ever since. He has a nice farm of 200 acres, a good portion of which is well improved and the soil is as fine as any in the county. The farm lies against Bluff Springs, in the valley of the same name. He came to the county a poor man, renting his farm, but in 1859 he purchased sixty-eight acres and on this began to farm on his own account. He added to this original farm until he had accumulated a fine property and fortune, and this without assistance from anybody but his faithful wife.

He was married in Beardstown to Mrs. Catharine Price, nee Keil. She was born in Hesse-Darmstadt and after growing up was married to Conrad Price, a gentleman of the same province. After marriage Mr. Price with his parents and young wife came in 1845, from Bremen to Baltimore and thence to Beardstown, Illinois, and here a few years later he died very suddenly from paralysis, leaving his widow with quite a family, two sons who are now grown up and prosperous, Henry and John. The parents of Mrs. Price died in Beardstown when old people, their names were Conrad and Catherine (Shelman) Price. They were both natives of Hesse-Darmstadt and were all Lutherans.

Mr. and Mrs. Zimmer are the parents of two children: Lewis, Jr. (see biography), and Margaret, wife of Theo. Krohe, an implement dealer in the city.

Mr. Zimmer moved into the city in 1888 and is now enjoying the fruits of his early labors. He is a Democrat in politics and he and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church.