Brother James W. Zimmerman was born in Washington County, Texas, on September 10, 1847, and at an early age in life he moved to Brazos County, Texas, and settled near what was then called "Tyron's Church", but later named Kurten, where his father was engaged in farming.

On Wednesday, November 27, 1867, Brother Zimmerman was united in marriage to Miss Caroline C. Nevils, and to this union were born nine children, all of which are now deceased.

Brother Zimmerman was initiated as an Entered Apprentice Mason on September 26, 1868.  He was passed to the degree of Fellowcraft on October 31, 1868, and was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on November 28, 1868, in Cedar Creek Lodge No. 300 A.F. & A.M., located at Kurten, Texas, in Brazos County.

Brother Zimmerman left Brazos County in the early 1880s and moved to Burnet County and settled near Naruna Community, some ten or twelve miles northwest of Burnet, the County Seat.

Brother Zimmerman demitted from Cedar Creek Lodge No. 300 on April 1, 1882, to become a Charter Member of Blufton Lodge No. 551 A.F. & A.M., located at Blufton, Texas, in Llano County.  He demitted from Blufton Lodge No. 551 on June 8, 1889, and he remained a demitted Mason until December 9, 1909, when he affiliated as a Charter Member of Lake Victor Lodge No. 1011 A.F. & A.M.

On March 15, 1919, Brother Zimmerman was made a life member of Lake Victor Lodge No. 1011.  However, on February 27, 1926, he demitted from Lake Victor Lodge No. 1011 to become a Charter Member of Naruna Lodge No. 1234 A.F. & A.M. located at Naruna in Burnet County.

On November 27, 1933, Brother Zimmerman passed into the great beyond at his home near Naruna, Texas.  He was buried with full Masonic Rites conducted by Lake Victor Lodge No. 1011 A.F. & A.M., with Brother M. P. Hahn officiating, with interment in the Naruna Cemetery.