|
VICTOR J. ZAHM was born in Tolford, Huron county, Ohio, March 7, 1837. His
parents, J. M. Zahm and Henrietta E. Lang, came to America in 1832 and
1833 respectively, and were married in Tiffin in May, 1836. In
1838 they left Tolford, going to Buffalo, New York, where they remained
until the year 1846, when they returned to Tiffin.
Victor attended the public schools part of the
time, alternately assisting his father, who engaged in mercantile
pursuits. At the age of 15 years he entered the Advertiser
office in Tiffin, as an apprentice to the printing business, which
business he followed with success until the fall of 1875.
In October, 1861, he was appointed first lieutenant in
the 3d Ohio cavalry, and assigned to duty as adjutant of the 6th
battalion of said regiment, and camping and drilling with the regiment,
followed it through its various duties until September, 1862, when,
owning to reorganization of the cavalry service, the position held by
him being abolished, he was honorably discharged the service and
returned home.
Upon his return, he resumed his former vocation, and in
1868, became the publisher of the Unsery Flagge, a German paper,
published in Tiffin by his father, which, however, meeting with poor
encouragement, he suspended at the expiration of the year, and then
devoted his whole time and attention to job printing, working up a
considerable business.
In 1870, being offered an opportunity to purchase an
interest in the Ohio Eagle, published in Lancaster, Ohio, he sold
his job printing establishment, purchased an interest in that paper and
assumed control, but his health failing soon thereafter, he was
compelled to dispose of his interest, and return to Tiffin. In
1872 he again ventured in the printing business, this time in Toledo,
where he remained several years, and again failing in health, he was
obliged to relinquish his pursuits at printing.
In February, 1875, he was married in Tiffin to Janet
C. Lamberson, daughter of
William Lamberson, and Mary A., his wife.
In January, 1876, he was employed as clerk in the
auditor's office and soon after appointed deputy. In the summer of
1876 he received the nomination by the Democracy of the county as their
candidate for auditor and was duly elected. In the fall of 1878 he
was re-elected for the term of three years, the legislature having, in
the meantime, fixed the term of the office at three years, instead of
two, as formerly.
The office of auditor of Seneca county has ever been
characterized by marked ability of the officers, but it is doubtful
whether any of his predecessors have shed more credit upon it than the
present incumbent.
For personal descriptions of Judge Bunn and
G. B. Keppel,
Esq., prosecuting attorney, the reader is referred to the
chapters on "Bench and Bar," numbers 22 and 23. *
Source: History of Seneca County : from the
close of the Revolutionary War to July, 1880 : embracing many personal
sketches of pioneers, anecdotes, and faithful descriptions of events
pertaining to the organization of the county and its progress
Springfield, Ohio: Transcript Print. Co., 1880 - Page
|
