grave import

Obituary

Rev. John Zimmerman, second only to Dr. Wm. Salter in point of service in the ministry in Burlington, passed away last evening at 125 Glenn avenue. For several weeks his condition had been critical and Albert Zimmerman, the only surviving child, was called to the bedside from Colorado a week ago. After lingering at the point of death for many hours, he peacefully passed to the great beyond, where his reward awaits him. The faithful minister whose work on earth has ended was born in Cehauffhhausen Canton, Switzerland. August 20, 1826. He was educated at the Mission house of Basie, Switzerland, and at the university of the same city, graduating in 1853. Soon after completing his course he emigrated to America, taking passage on a sailing vessel, and reached New Orleans after a yoyage which lasted sixty-three days. From that city he proceeded up the Mississippi river to Illinois, locating at Freeport, where he entered upon his work in America. He was pastor of the church of his denomination in that city for three years, being then assigned to the church at New Glarns, Green county, Wis., where he served the succeeding three years, then was pastor for three years at Peru, Ill., two at Princeton and in the spring of 1863 came to Burlington. When Rev. Mr. Zimmerman came to Burlington he took charge of the German Evangelical Zion church. The church society had been organized but a few months previous to his coming to Burlington, March 13, 1864. He immediately took charge of the work of raising funds to erect a church building and in the meantime services were held in Marion hall. The society was enthusiastic and work was under way the same year, the corner stone of the building which was erected on Fifth street, between Columbia and Washington streets being laid August 16, 1864. The building was completed and dedicated the second Sunday in August 1865. It was an important event for the pastor and the society and the congregation continued to grow and extend its scope. A Sunday school was organized in 1864 and the work has been carried on successfully ever since. The day school was founded and was carried on through the years with increasing prosperity. Mr. Zimmerman proved the man for the place, taking hold of the society when it was young and carrying it through all the narrow places when support was most needed. From a handful of members he increased the membership to 300. He was tireless in the work. So well was he loved by the members that they held him for twenty-five years as pastor. Mr. Zimmerman proved so faithful and popular in his church that his ability and worthiness became recognized by the synod of which he was chosen president in 1882 holding that position for nineteen years. He also proved a capable manager in the synod and became widely known about the state. During his presidency of the synod he was appointed pastor of the West Burlington church, where he served for nine years. The venerable pastor retired from the ministry in 1904 at which time he went to Chicago to make his home with his son Albert. in 1907 Mr. Zimmerman returned to Burlington to spend his declining days. During the last illness he was remembered by his former associates in the church work and his last days were made more cheerful by their ministrations. Rev. Mr. Zimmerman came to Burlington with Rev. Jacob Schmeiser, who took charge of the Franklyn Mills church north of the city. They entered into the work with spirit and vim and the early history of the church and the foundation of the Evangelical faith in this vicinity can never be separated from the names of these two ministers who made the work possible. Mr. Zimmerman was married at Freeport, Ill., November 12, 1854, to Magdalena, Auer. Of five children born to the union, only one son remains Albert, who now lives in Colorado. Mrs. Zimmerman passed away February 10, 1883. Mr. Zimmermann's second marriage was in 1891, being united with Mrs. Laura Kuhlenhoelter, whose four children by her first marriage are now mourning a loving father. The mother passed away in 1902. The funeral service will be held on Thursday. On account of the prominence of Mr. Zimmerman in the church about the state, there will be a large attendance of delegates from the synod in attendance at the service.