REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

MARION COUNTY, OHIO

1907 HISTORY

-Z-

JUSTUS ZIEG, a well-known citizen of Pleasant township, who, resides on his highly cultivated farm of 110 acres located in section 24, was born in this township and is a son of Peter and Margaret (Ruth) Zieg.

Peter Zieg and his wife were natives of Huttengesass, Hessen-Nasau, Germany, whence their came with their two oldest children to America, and located on a farm in Pleasant township, Marion County, Ohio at a time when the country was new and unsettled and wild game of all kinds could be found here. Peter Zieg erected a log cabin before he began clearing the land, and he and his family suffered many of the trials and hardships connected with pioneer life. His death occurred in 1896, at the age of 79 year, his wife having died six years previously, aged 65 years. They were the parents of four children of whom two were born in Germany and two in America as, follows: Peter residing in Green Camp, who married Catherine Neidhardt; Margaret, who died aged 22 years;

Justus: and Christian, who married Margaret Knickel and is a resident of Marion. Justus Zieg was reared on his father's farm in Pleasant township and lived there until his marriage, after which he worked for some time on his father-in-law's farm, which he subsequently bought and which is now owned by William Zieg, his only son. He later bought more land and at one time he and his wife owned 188 acres, part of which has since been sold.

In 1862 Mr. Zieg was married to Catharine Neidhardt, who was born November 22, 1830 in Huttengesass, Hessen-Nassau, Germany and is a daughter of Johann Conrad and Anna Maria (Jacob) Neidhardt. Justus Zieg and wife reside on a farm which is owned by Mrs. Zieg, which was bought from her father's estate. They have had five children, as follows: Caroline, who marred Jacob Lawyer and resides in Richland township; Mary, who married Dr. Charles W. Jacoby of Morral; Hannah, unmarried, who lives at home; Louise, who died in infancy; and William.

William Zieg was born on his present farm May 8, 1876, and has always lived on this place, which he purchased from his father in 1904. He was married March 27, 1900, to Lillian Retterer, a daughter of David and Elizabeth (Blockson) Retterer, both natives of Richland township. The Retterer family originally came from Rittershoffen, Alsace-Loraine, France, locating in Ohio during an early period of the State's development Three children have been born to William Zieg and wife: Alfreda Caroline, Etteline Elizabeth and Docie Lillian. William Zieg is a general farmer and raises considerable grain, cattle, hogs and horses. He and his family occupy a large, nine-room. frame house which was erected by his father. He is a Democrat politically. He is a member of the German Reformed Church and his wife is an active member of the Lutheran Church.

Justus Zieg is a Democrat and has served in various township offices, having been trustee of the township for two terms, township treasurer for two terms and has also served on the School Board. He is a member of the German Reformed Church.