BIOGRAPHIES

Source:
* Centennial History of Columbus, and Franklin Co., Ohio
 by William Alexander Taylor
 - Vols. I  & II -
1909
 

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

IJ

K

L

M

N

O

PQ

R

S

T

UV

W

XYZ

< CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO  1909 BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX >
< CLICK HERE TO GO TO LIST OF BIOGRAPHICAL INDEXES >
 

T. G. YOUMANS (Source: Centennial History of Columbus, and Franklin Co., Ohio by William Alexander Taylor - Vol. II - 1909 - Page 739)

WALTER ZINN, a capitalist now living retired on a fine country estate in Delaware county, was formerly closely associated with business interests in Columbus. He started upon life's journey in Cincinnati in 1850, a son of Peter Zinn, who was born in Columbus in 1818. His grandfather, Phillip Zinn, removing westward from York, Pennsylvania. settled in Columbus in 1805. when the now populous and thriving capital was but a mere hamlet.     He located on the present site of the Ohio State University and for many years was proprietor of a stage coach business operating between Columbus and Sandusky. Later he became a freighter handling traffic between Columbus and Pennsylvania and other eastern points. The extent of his business affairs and his activity in public interests made him a prominent representative and valued pioneer settler.     Peter Zinn, the father, born on the home farm, on the present site of the Ohio State University, was reared in Columbus and became an attorney at law. In 1848 he removed to Cincinnati, where he engaged in practice for almost a third of a century, or until 1880. He, too, was a leading resident of his district and for many years represented Hamilton county in the state legislature. He continued in practice as a member of the law firm of Bruff & Zinn and a keen analytical mind and powers of deduction enabled him to gain a place of distinction at the Cincinnati bar. By appointment of Governor Bruff, he had charge of Camp Chase at Columbus during the Civil war, with the rank of major. He was also well known in railroad circles, being for many years president of the Kentucky Central Railroad Union, that ran from Covington to Lexington. He was also the author of a legal publication entitled Zinn on Trusts, an important and valuable work. He married Margaret Goodin, a native of Cincinnati and a representative of one of the pioneer families and large land owners of that city. She died in 1876.     Walter Zinn was educated in the public and high schools of Cincinnati and the Penn Military Academy at Chester, Pennsylvania. after which he took a trip abroad and then returned to Cincinnati. During his term at the military academy he acted as one of the escort for General Grant, then president of the United States, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1876. 1878 he returned to Cincinnati and was apprenticed as roll turner in his father's rolling mill and became a journeyman roll turner. He never followed the business, however, for his father died and in 1883 he came to Columbus. Here he engaged in the wholesale hat business as a jobber in men's hats, continuing under the firm style of Zinn & Judkins until 1904, when he sold out. This was a very successful venture and the business was indicative of the careful management and undaunted enterprise of Mr. Zinn. Following his retirement from mercantile circles Mr. Zinn engaged in the brokerage business as senior partner of the firm of Zinn & Thurman, handling local securities until 1906, when he sold out. His splendid business success had brought him a substantial capital and released him from necessity for further labor, so that he removed to his farm at Powell, Delaware county, where he is now living a retired life. his property being known as the Meadow View Farm. Here he is raising fine fancy bred horses and cattle, having some of the finest stock raised in the state.     In January, 1882, Mr. Zinn was married to Miss Elizabeth Dora Jones, of Columbus. and they have two sons: William P., who was born in 1883, and is now engaged in the real estate business in Columbus; and Walter D., born in 1895.     Mr. Zinn is a member of the Columbus Club and the Knights of Pythias fraternity. He has a wide acquaintance in central Ohio and his social. genial nature has gained for him an extensive circle of friends. His business ability was recognized by all with whom he had trade relations and his keen discernment and carefully managed affairs have placed him in a most comfortable financial position. Source: Centennial History of Columbus, and Franklin Co., Ohio by William Alexander Taylor - Vol. II - 1909 - Page 739

.