CAPT. GEORGE J. ZELLNER     The subject of this sketch is a native of Hamilton, born on the 3d of December, 1866, and is a son of the late Henry Zellner, who came to Hamilton from Germany, in early life, and owned and operated a cooperage establishment for many years.  He was born on the 26th of November, 1833, and died in Hamilton Aug. 11, 1901, having, a few years before his death, retired from active business.  Henry Zellner was married to Miss Caroline Held, who was born in Stark county, Ohio, on the 6th of April, 1830.  She still resides at the old homestead in Hamilton, and the unmarried members of her family are pleasantly cared for in the maternal home.  There were eleven children born to Henry and Caroline  (Held) Zellner, ten of whom are now living.  The eldest of the family was Charles, who was born on the 2d of February, 1859.  He was in business with his father during his manhood years, and died on the 4th of December, 1897.  Henry, Jr., was born Sept. 6, 1861, and has been long an employe of the Semler Milling Company in the cooperage department.  Maggie is the wife of George Gunderman, of Marysville, Ohio, and she was born on the 12t of February, 1863.  George J., of this sketch, was the next in order of birth.  Katie, who was born Jan. 30, 1969, married Henry Kimball, a machinist in Hamilton.  John, who was born May 2, 1871, is a stone cutter by occupation, and married Miss Anna Geiler, by whom he has four children.  Lizzie was born Oct. 20, 1873, married Andrew Waldsmith, a machinist in this city, and they have one child.  William who was born Feb. 27, 1876, and who is a moulder by occupation, married Minnie Pohle, and they have one son, Augustus, who was born July 6, 1878, is a painter and decorator in Hamilton.  Edward was born Dec. 26, 1881, and is an iron molder by occupation.  Miss Edith, a young lady at home, who completes the family circle, was born Sept. 28, 1886.
     George J. Zellner was reared and educated in his native city.  During the earlier years of his young manhood he was employed in various avocations, until 1893, when he was selected as a member of the Hamilton police force.  After serving eight years in that capacity, the legislature enacted a new law which complicated matters pertaining to municipal officers and he left the force for two years.  In the meantime the force was reorganized to comply with the new requirements and the position of police inspector, with the rank of captain, was tendered to him.  He accepted this office and entered upon the discharge of its duties on the 15th of August, 1903.  Captain Zellner is specially fitted for this position, in that he has had large experience as a member of the force, and is endowed by nature with some special characteristics which render him conspicuous.  He is a splendid specimen of physical manhood, being almost six feet in height, well proportioned and erect in stature.  Were it not for the fact that the Captain is a modest bachelor, the historian would say that he is a remarkably handsome man.
     The Zellner family, both father and sons, have been uncompromising Democrats in political views.  None of them have ever aspired to political offices, other than such as are often thrust upon the residents of wards and election precincts.  Captain Zellner has never allied himself with lodges, clubs or societies, and spends his off duty hours in the company of his mother, who seems to be his special care.  While holding himself aloof from the society of young people, to some extent he is nevertheless very popular and sustains the esteem and high regard of his associates among the city's guardians.
Source: Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio - Publ. B. F. Bowen & Co., Publishers - 1905 - Page 579