MICHAEL ZEMANY, general merchant, Freeland, may well be classed in the front rank of the progressive citizens of his town. He was born in Kucsin, Saros Co., Hungary, June 11, 1849, and learned the carpenter's trade which he followed in his native land until he reached the age of twenty-one, when he came to this country and settled in Pennsylvania. He followed mining in various parts of the Upper Lehigh district of the anthracite regions for two years, at the end of which time he established a clothing store in Mahanoy City. Here he remained until 1876, when he removed to Upper Lehigh and worked at his trade until 1880. He then removed to Freeland, where he opened a saloon, and a year later also engaged in the bottling business and operated a general store. Each branch of his business has constantly increased since, until he is well-nigh at the head in each department. Mr. Zemany was married in 1870 to Miss Anna Koscelnik, which union has been blessed with eight children, viz.: Andrew, John, Anna, Michael, Jr., Charles, George, Mary, and William. Mr. Zemany is a member of the Verhovay Aid Association; and the Saints Peter and Paul Aid Association. In politics he is a very active Republican.
HENRY ZIEGLER, farmer, P.O. Dupont, was born in Germany April 8, 1827, a son of Jacob and Catherine (Steinhauer) Ziegler. They emigrated to the United States in 1840, landing in New York, August 16, from which place the journeyed to Wilkes-Barre township, this county, where they engaged in huckstering. They resided in Wilkes-Barre about four years, and then removed to the borough, where, toward the close of their lives, the parents kept a saloon on River street. The father died in 1847, at the age of 47 years; the mother died in 1861, at the age of sixty-one years. The family consisted of twelve children; seven of whom grew to maturity, and four are now living: Henry, Mary, James and Henrietta. Our subject was thirteen years of age when he came to this country, and so received part of his education in Germany. He was a nailer by occupation, but followed other vocations in life, making his home in Wilkes-Barre till he became of age, when he removed to Pittston township, where he became a miner. On August 14, 1851, he married, in Pittston, Miss Catherine, daughter of Andrew and Catherine Weiskercher, and there were born to them eight children, all of whom are living, seven of them being married. Mr. Ziegler removed to his present residence in Dupont in November, 1871. He owns several houses and lots in Pittston township, besides about two thousand acres of land, some of which is valuable because of the coal supposed to be underlying it. Mr. Ziegler is a prominent man in social and political circles. He has served in nearly all of the offices of the township, and is now serving as justice of the peace. Mr. Ziegler has been extensively engaged in the lumber business, and has contracted considerably in railroad building. He is a self-made man, of pleasing address, mild disposition and even temperament.
HENRY ZIEGLER, JR., landlord of the "Pollock House," Wyoming borough, was born March 1, 1852 and is a son of Henry and Margaret (Wiskewar) Ziegler, natives, respectively, of Bremen, Germany, and Pennsylvania, and of German origin, the former of whom came to America in 1841, and was a real estate dealer in Pittston township, this county. They reared a family of eight children, of whom Henry is the eldest. Our subject was educated in the common schools, and began life at the age of seventeen, working in a sawmill at Williamsport, Pa., where he remained one year; he then worked some years as manager of a large livery stable in Scranton; then four years at Newark, N.J., as buyer for a cooper shop, after which he came to Pittston, and was engaged as bartender for J. W. Davis, one year, at the end of which time he opened a saloon for himself on South Main street. Here he continued business for four years, and then came to Wyoming, and rented the "Pollock House", which he has since conducted. Mr. Ziegler was married, November 30, 1884, to Mrs. Margaret Carey, daughter of John J. Owens, and widow of George Carey, by whom she had five children, viz.: Mary L. (Mrs. M. Carey), George B., William, Jesse and John. Mrs. Ziegler is a member of the Methodist Church, Mr. Ziegler of the Presbyterian; he is a member of the I.O.R.M., Caughnawaga Tribe No. 228, and of the Junior Order United American Mechanics, Lodge No. 76; in politics he is a sound Democrat.
T. R. ZIMMERMAN, farmer, Huntington township, P.O. Waterton, was born on the farm he now owns, May 31, 1844, and is a son of Henry and Amy (Chapin) Zimmerman, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German and English origin, respectively; the father was also a farmer by occupation, and died December 17, 1878. He was a son of John and Mary (Smith) Zimmerman, also natives of Pennsylvania. Our subject is the youngest in a family of seven children, four of whom are now living. He was reared on a farm, educated in the common schools, and worked in partnership with his father on the farm until the death of the latter, when the property became his, and he has since resided thereon. Mr. Zimmerman was married, October 23, 1868, to Miss Mary, daughter of Thomas and Annie (Bird) Bachman, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German origin; she is the youngest of five children, and was born October 22, 1846. This union is blessed with six children, viz.: Myron, a teacher, at Freeland, Pa.; Ida E., at home; Emma; Dana; Sarah A., and John. Mr. Zimmerman is a member of the I.O.O.F.; he is school director of his district, and in politics he is a Republican.
JOHN ZUKOSKI, merchant, Plymouth, was born in Kalwaria, Poland, March 3, 1850, and is a son of Vincent and Agatha Zukoski, also natives of Poland. He received his education in his native land, and in 1868 came to America, where he worked in the mines at Plymouth until 1878, when he removed to the state of Nebraska, and there purchased a farm which he worked for seven years. Returning to Plymouth in 1886, he established his mercantile business at No. 527 West Main street, where he has built up an extensive trade. He also has a restaurant in the block in which his mercantile business is carried on, and which he manages. Mr. Zukoski was married, in 1873, to Eva Kopp, a native of Poland, and two children were born to the union: John, who died in November, 1876, aged about two years, and Thomas, yet living. Our subject attends the Polish Church, and in politics he votes the Republican ticket.