Obituaries - Surname Z
Madison County ILGenWeb Coordinator - Beverly Bauser
ZABEL, FRANCIS H. (REVEREND)/Source: Alton
Evening Telegraph, April 24, 1920
Pioneer Priest, Dean of
Alton Diocese; Talented Musician
Reverend Francis H. Zabel,
D. D., a pioneer priest and Dean in the Diocese of Alton, died
shortly after 7 o'clock this morning at his home on Danforth
street, after a long illness. His condition has been serious for
some time and his death was expected. He was 81 years old. Dean
Zabel came to Alton about six years ago to become Chaplain at
the Ursuline Novitiate on Danforth street, and has remained here
since that time. He was a talented musician and a linguist of
note. While living near the Novitiate he taught music and
languages to the Novices. He also directed the choir, which is
noted for its music. He was born February 19, 1839, at
Erbeville, near Nancy, France. He was ordained a priest in Rome,
September 20, 1861, by Cardinal Patrize, and came to this
country shortly afterwards. He held several pastorates in the
Alton Diocese, including Springfield, East St. Louis, Cairo and
Bunker Hill. He came to Alton from Bunker Hill. He was a member
of Alton Council, Knights of Columbus. In 1911 he celebrated his
golden anniversary of priesthood in the Immaculate Conception
church in Springfield. Fr. Zabel and Rev. Hoven celebrated the
golden anniversary at the same ceremony. Rev. Hoven died some
time ago. The funeral will be held Tuesday morning at St. Peter
and Paul's Cathedral, with Pontificial High Mass, the office of
the dead beginning at 9 o'cvlock, with Rt. Rev. J. J. Ryan, D.
D., Bishop of Alton as celebrant of the mass. The assisting
priest will be the REv. Msgr. T. Hickey V. G., of Springfield,
or the Rev. Msgr. E. L. Spalding of the Cathedral. The deans of
honor, Rev. Joseph Meckel of St. Mary's church, Alton, and Rev.
C. Johannes of Nokomis, Ill. The deacon of the mass, Rev. E. B.
Kehoe of St. Patrick's church, Alton, and the sub-deacon, Rev.
D. J. Ryan of Granite City. Rev. M. A. Tarrant and Rev. M.
Costello of the Cathedral will be Masters of Ceremonies, and
Rev. E. J. Eckhard of Edwardsville and Rev. H. B. Schnelton of
St. Mary's church, Alton, Cantores. Rev. Spalding will preach
the funeral sermon. Dean Zabel is survived by a brother and
distant relatives in France. Monday afternoon at three o'clock
the body will be removed to the Cathedral where it will lie in
state until the Pontifical Mass Tuesday morning. Friends can
view the remains at the church. There will be a special meeting
of the Alton Council of the Knights of Columbus tonight, to take
action in regard to the death of Father Zabel. The meeting has
been called for 7:30 in the club rooms in the Spalding building.
ZAKRZESURKI, HELEN/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 24,
1922
Child Rescues Mother From Fire, Is Fatally Burned
Herself
Helen Zakrzesurki, 9 years, 11 months of age, died in
St. Joseph's hospital Saturday afternoon from the effects of
burns she suffered as the result of the explosion of a can of
stove polish she had been using on a stove at the family home in
Wood River. The burning of the child was the result of the near
burning of the mother, Mrs. Lottie Zarzesurki. The mother was
clearing up the home and had put some trash in a stove to burn
it. The trash flared out and setting fire to the mother's
sleeve, started to burn her. The mother's cries attracted the
attention of the girl who was in the next room polishing a
stove, and using the can of polish. The girl rushed in, set the
can of polish on the stove in which the fire was burning, and
helped her mother. The can of polish became hot, blew up, and
scattered the burning ???? over the girl. Her clothing caught
fire and before anything could be done for her, she was burned
fatally. The child was hurried to St. Joseph's hospital where
she died a few hours later. The body will be buried in St. Louis
tomorrow.
ZEPP, UNKNOWN WIFE OF WILLIAM J./Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, December 15, 1909
The funeral of Mrs. William J.
Zepp was held this afternoon at 2 o'clock from the
Congregational church at Sixth and Henry street. Services were
conducted by Rev. A. G. Lane of the First Presbyterian church.
There were many friends and relatives of Mrs. Zepp at the
funeral. The ladies of the Maccabees attended to show their
respect for their deceased sister.
ZERWAS, HENRIETTA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 9,
1904
Mrs. Fritz Zerwas died Tuesday evening at her home in
Riverview addition, after a long illness with a complication of
diseases. She was 42 years of age and leaves a husband and eight
children. She was a daughter of Mrs. M. Wannamacher of the
Grafton road, and her mother and brothers survive. She was
widely known and well liked and respected for her kindly,
charitable disposition. The funeral will be Thursday morning
from the Cathedral.
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
March 10, 1904
The funeral of Mrs. Henrietta Zerwas, wife of
Fritz Zerwas, was held this morning from the Cathedral.
Interment was made at Greenwood cemetery.
ZERWAS, NICHOLAS/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August 1,
1900
Engaged in the Baking Business
Nicholas Zerwas died
at the home of his son, Nicholas Zerwas Jr., at North Alton
yesterday afternoon at 5 o'clock. He had been in feeble health
for a number of years and has been blind the last five years of
his life. Mr. Zerwas was born in Germany 88 years ago, and came
to this country in the early part of his life, settling in
Alton, where he followed the baking trade for some time. Later
he moved to Arkansas, but for the past six years has made his
home in North Alton. He leaves six children: Miss Kate Zerwas of
Monroe County; Peter Zerwas of Nokomis; Mrs. Teresa Rosing and
Mrs. C. Engel of Shoal Creek, Arkansas; and Fred and Nicholas
Zerwas of North Alton. The funeral will take place Thursday
morning from St. Mary's church.
ZERWAS, VERNA (nee MEYER)/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
May 24, 1920
Wife of Fred Zerwas Jr.
Mrs. Verna Meyer
Zerwas, wife of Fred Zerwas Jr., died of uraemic poisoning at
the home of her mother, Mrs. Ann Meyer, on West Elm street, this
morning at 7:30 o'clock. Mrs. Zerwas, who was 29 years of age
April 21, had been in poor health for the past three weeks, and
was moved from her home on the Grafton road to that of her
mother's in the hope that the change would be beneficial and
where she could be given closer care by members of her family.
She leaves besides her husband, one little son, Paul, aged 20
months; her mother; one sister, Mildred; and three brothers;
Chris, Harry L. and Dr. O. A. Meyer; besides many other
relatives. Mrs. Zerwas was the youngest daughter of the late
Peter Meyer, who died about four years ago, and his wife, Mrs.
Anna Meyer. She was born and reared in the country north of
Alton, coming to Alton with her parents when they moved on Elm
street. She had a winning way and was much loved by all who knew
her well. She was married July 10, 1917 to Mr. Fred Zerwas Jr.,
and lived a happy life in their new home on the Grafton road.
Because of her amicable disposition and many admirable
qualities, Mrs. Zerwas was a great favorite in the North Side,
and the news of her death was the cause of great sadness in a
wide circle of friends. It was not generally known that her
condition was so bad, and until the last there was hopes of a
change for the better setting in. The body of Mrs. Zerwas will
remain at the home of the mother, where friends may see it. The
funeral services will be held from the SS Peter and Paul's
Cathedral Wednesday morning at 9 o'clock.
ZIATARI, GEORGE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, October 22,
1907
Employee at Standard Oil Refinery
George Ziatari, a
young Hungarian who had been employed at the Standard Oil
refinery site, died Sunday night at St. Joseph's hospital and
was buried Monday afternoon in Greenwood cemetery after services
were conducted in St. Patrick's church by Rev. Francis Kehoe and
two priests from St. Mary's church. The dead youth was 21 years
old, and died from brain paralysis. Relatives and countrymen
attended the funeral, and the interpreter had C. O. Howard, the
photographer, go to the church and take some pictures of the
dead man, the coffin, the priests and pallbearers. The latter
were Hungarians and their photographs will be recognized by
people in the old country. The dead man's face was pictured
perfectly by Mr. Howard, and the photographs will be sent "back
home," the interpreter said, one of them going to the mother of
deceased, the others to relatives. He said also that the youth
belonged to a society which paid death benefits for families of
deceased members, and the photographs of the casket, etc., were
necessary to establish the death claim.
ZIEGENFUSS, EARL/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 8,
1921
The funeral services of Earl Ziegenfuss will be held
Saturday afternoon at two o'clock from the family home at 1216
Victory street. Interment in the City Cemetery.
ZIEGENFUSS, VICTORIA/Source: Alton Telegraph, December 23,
1880
Mrs. Victoria Ziegenfuss, a German lady 62 years old,
was found dead in her bed about daylight, Wednesday, by her
husband, William Ziegenfuss, at their residence in the hollow,
three or four blocks due north of the City Cemetery. Deputy
Sheriff Rudershausen, learning of the sad affair, telegraphed
Coroner Youree, who arrived on the Kansas City train at 10
o’clock, and immediately proceeded to impanel a jury. The
inquest was held at the late residence of the deceased. William
Ziegenfuss, husband of the deceased, a peddler by occupation,
was the only witness examined as to the circumstances of the
death. He stated that his wife had been in good health,
excepting a slight indisposition about two weeks ago, from which
she had, apparently, entirely recovered. She retired to rest at
9 o’clock last night, was awake and seeming well at 3:30 o’clock
this morning. About daylight, the witness, after attending to
some work around the house, attempted to arouse his wife and
found that she was dead, though yet warm, having died without a
struggle or movement, so far as could be ascertained. The
witness further testified that the relations of himself and
deceased had always been pleasant, and this was corroborated by
neighbors and friends who were present. The verdict of the jury
was that death was caused by paralysis of the heart. Deceased
leaves, besides her husband, two children, a son and daughter,
some stepchildren, and a sister, Mrs. Brennan, to mourn her
death.
ZIEGENFUSS, WILLIAM/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
September 24, 1904
William Ziegenfuss, who was stricken
with paralysis at St. Joseph's hospital Friday morning, died at
7:30 o'clock Friday night after a short illness. He was stricken
with paralysis and did not rally. Mr. Ziegenfuss was 84 years of
age and had lived in Alton many years. He is survived by two
children, William Ziegenfuss and Mrs. John Aldinger, and an
adopted son, John Bauer. For some time Mr. Ziegenfuss had been
an inmate of the hospital, although not very ill. He was a
native of Germany. The body was taken to the home of his
daughter, Mrs. John Aldinger, 637 east Fourth street. The
funeral will be held Sunday afternoon at 4 o'clock from St.
Mary's church, and burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery.
ZIEGLER, FLORENCE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December
10, 1912
Miss Florence Ziegler, aged 21, died Monday night at
10:15 o'clock at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John H.
Ziegler, 1220 east Third street. The young woman had been ill
for a long time, and some time ago she made a trip to Colorado
in the hope that her health would be benefited. The change did
her no permanent good, and she returned to Alton. She was
formerly employed as a stenographer in the office of S. F.
Connor. The funeral will be held Thursday morning and services
will be in St. Patrick's church.
ZIMMER, BERNARD/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 4, 1918
Fearing that the news of the death of her husband might be fatal
to Mrs. Bernard Zimmer, critically ill at her home on Highland
avenue, the death of Bernard Zimmer, a bricklayer, was not
announced to the wife this morning, although she learned later
that he had succumbed. Zimmer's body was removed to the William
H. Bauer undertaking rooms. Plans for the funeral have not been
completed. Zimmer was 35 years old. He had been ill for several
months with a complication of diseases. Mrs. Zimmer is seriously
ill and it is feared she cannot recover. It was thought that her
end would be hastened if she learned of her husband's death, but
efforts to keep the news from her failed. Mr. Zimmer died in a
room adjoining that in which his wife lies ill. Owing to the
condition of Mrs. Zimmer, the funeral will be from the Bauer
undertaking rooms at 8:30 a.m. Thursday to St. Patrick's Church.
ZIMMER, UNKNOWN WIFE OF MARTIN/Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, August 6, 1912
Mrs. Martin Zimmer died very
suddenly this morning from heart failure while hunting for a
house. She was across the street from St. Joseph's hospital,
resting, when she suddenly collapsed. She had evidently
experienced a new attack of heart trouble, and had sat down
until she could recover her breath. She was noticed by a son of
Magnus Steiner, who called his father and carried Mrs. Zimmer to
the hospital. A doctor was summoned, but Mrs. Zimmer was dead
before anything could be done for her. Mrs. Zimmer was
accompanied, at the time of her death, by her sister, Mrs.
Myrtle Crossno. Mrs. Zimmer had gone to get a key to the house
she was to inspect, and returning complained of feeling sick.
She had suffered from heart trouble for eight months. Mrs.
Zimmer was 34 years of age, and leaves her husband and one son,
also her mother and three brothers, Edward, Walter and Elmer
Crossno. The family came to Alton ten months ago. The husband is
track foreman for the A. G. & StL. The body will be sent to Mt.
Vernon, leaving Alton early Thursday morning.
ZIMMERMAN, FRANK/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 22,
1904
Ship Carpenter
Frank Zimmerman, one of the best known
river men in Alton, died Thursday night at St. Joseph's hospital
after a long illness, in his 38th year. Mr. Zimmerman was a ship
carpenter by trade, and for many years was employed on the
Government fleet. Several years ago he began to suffer from
severe headaches, and subsequently his trouble was diagnosed as
a tumorous growth in his head. At times he was almost insane
from suffering, and was at last removed to St. Joseph's
hospital. A few days ago his eyesight failed from the growth
inside his head. He leaves a wife and five children and four
brothers, George, Joseph, John and William Zimmerman. He was a
steady industrious man and was well liked by all who knew him.
He was well known as a local politician. The funeral will be
held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the family home on
Market street, near Tenth street.
ZIMMERMAN, HILKA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 12,
1901
Mrs. Hilka Zimmerman, widow of John Zimmerman, died
Thursday afternoon at the family home near Moro after a long
illness. She was the mother of a well known family and had lived
near Moro many years. She had two children at home, Miss Hilka
and William Zimmerman, and some children of mature years who
have moved from Moro.
ZIMMERMAN, JOSEPHINE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
December 2, 1910
Mrs. Josephine Zimmerman died Thursday
evening at the home of her son, John C. Ulrich, two miles east
of Upper Alton. She had been ill for many years with an
affliction of the liver, which caused her death. Mrs. Zimmerman
was 77 years of age, having been born in Baden, Germany in 1833.
She had resided in the Upper Alton district for over forty
years, up to the time of her death, and was known as an active
woman. She leaves two sons, John Ulrich, with whom she resided,
and Otto Ulrich of St. Louis. She was a member of the
Presbyterian church and her funeral will be held from the church
of this denomination Monday morning at 10 o'clock. The remains
will be buried in the Godfrey cemetery. Mrs. Zimmerman leaves
three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
ZIMMERMAN, UNKNOWN/Source: Alton Telegraph, October 14, 1864
Murdered Near Edwardsville
We learn from the Edwardsville
Advertiser that a most foul murder was committed near the bridge
over the Cahokia, on the road to Alton, on Sunday last. The
murdered man was shot through the head with shot, his face and
eyes being terribly mangled. He was dead when found on Monday
morning. His name was Zimmerman, and bore an excellent
character, and was a German by birth. It is supposed he was
murdered by a man by the name of John Geddel, a Swiss by birth
and a resident of Edwardsville. Geddel was arrested in
Illinoistown [East St. Louis] a short time after the murdered
man was discovered. They formerly cultivated a farm together in
co-partnership.
ZIMMERMANN, AUGUST/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, October
15, 1919
Struck by Auto
The coroner's jury at the inquest
into the death of August Zimmermann yesterday, returned a
verdict of accidental death. The jury decided that death was due
to an "unavoidable accident." Zimmerman was struck by an
automobile driven by William Sunier on East Broadway between
Henry and Langdon streets Monday, and was taken to St. Joseph's
Hospital, where he died early yesterday. Evidence of Arthur
Johnson, who drove a car behind Sunier from the Elks to the
scene of the accident, was that his speedometer registered 12
miles an hour at the time of the accident. Robert Collins, who
was in the wagon from which the old man stepped before being
struck by Sunier's car, testified he did not see the accident.
ZIMMERMAN, PAULINE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, October
30, 1922
Mrs. Pauline Zimmerman, widow of John Zimmerman,
died this morning from old age at the Nazareth Home. She was 87
years of age and had lived in Alton forty-two years. Her death
followed a long period of disability, due to her advanced age.
She leaves a large number of descendants. Among them are three
sons, William, George and Joseph, and one daughter, Mrs. Annie
Bradley of Centerville, Ohio; also thirty-six grandchildren and
26 great-grandchildren. Her husband died before she came to
Alton. The funeral will be held Tuesday afternoon at 2:30
o'clock from the Nazareth Home and burial will be in City
Cemetery.
ZINI, LOUIS/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, October 10, 1921
A typical case of the old fashioned malignant flu was the cause
of the death of Louis Zini, aged 38, a lead works employee who
succumbed unexpectedly Sunday morning as he was being prepared
to be moved to the hospital for treatment. Zini was taken sick
five days before his death. On Saturday pneumonia developed and
Sunday morning a consultation of doctors was held and it was
decided to move him to the hospital. The ambulance was sent
after him and he was being dressed for removal when his heart
gave out and he died. The ambulance driver was told to go on
without him. The death of Zini is another of the tragedies of
the flu. He leaves a wife and five young children, the youngest
of which was born eight days before the father died. Zini is
said by those who knew him to have been a good father and
husband and his death leaves the wife and five children in a bad
way.
ZOELZER, FRED/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, October 24,
1907
Fred Zoelzer of Moro died last night at 11:30 o'clock at
the family home from old age. He was 84 years and 2 months and
16 days. The funeral will be held Saturday morning at 11 o'clock
from the German church on the Springfield road near Moro, Rev.
Laatch officiating. Mr. Zoelzer came to America from Germany in
1856. He was twice married, leaving two sons and two daughters
by his first marriage, F. C. Zoelzer and Henry Zoelzer, Mrs.
Anna Backs and Mrs. Louis Schaake. He leaves two sons and one
daughter by his second marriage, George, Charles and Mary, all
living at Moro.
ZOLK, SEBASTIAN/Source: Highland Newspaper, Unknown date in
1904 - Submitted by Karlheinz Zolk
Pioneer Farmer
Sebastian Zolk, an aged, well known and esteemed settler and
resident of this vicinity, died suddenly of heart failure last
Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock. He was in good spirits and
about his usual work when the final summons came without
warning. Mr. Zolk was born April 25, 1831, in Langenbruecken,
Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany, and had thus attained the age of
72 yrs., 11 months, and 20 days. He came to this country in
1852, landing in New York, whence he went to Chicago. At the
latter place he was employed in building a bridge across the
Illinois River for the Illinois Central RR. and shortly
thereafter left for Highland, where he engaged in farming near
St. Morgan. Here he was married to Miss Emansia Gundli, which
union was blessed with two children, of whom one died in
infancy. His first wife preceded in death in 1860, and in Dec.
1861 Mr. Zolk married a second time, his choice for this
marriage being Miss Rosa Rall, who survives him. Eleven children
were the fruitage of this union, seven of them living today,
three having died in infancy, and one, Miss Louisa Zolk,
departed this life some years ago at the age of twenty-eight.
Mr. Zolk, the subject of this sketch, also lived for a short
time in Clinton County, near Breese. For 25 years he occupied a
farm south of here, between this city and St. Morgan, until in
1893 he bought the old Bosshardt place just south of Highland,
where he was engaged as a wine grower up to his end. Besides his
sorrowing wife he leaves eight children and ten grandchildren,
and numerous more distant relatives, as well as a large circle
of friends and acquaintances. The children are: Mrs. Kate Klute
of St. Louis from the first marriage, and from the second the
following: Mrs. Mary Bonacker and Frank Zolk of Highland;
Wendlyn Zolk of St. Louis, and John Zolk, Miss Lena Zolk, Mrs.
Emma (John) Zimmerman and Eddie Zolk, all of Highland. The
funeral, in charge of Chas. Schiettinger, took place last Sat.
forenoon, services being held in St. Paul's church at 10 o'clock
after which the remains were laid to rest in the Catholic
cemetery. The pallbearers were: Messrs. Adam Keilbach, Thomas
Litz, John Zimmermann Sr., J. H. Leef, Louis Lehmann and Joseph
Widmer.
ZOOK, JOHN (alias ALBERT MURPHEY)/Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, May 13, 1907
Brakeman Falls Under His Train at
Lockhaven
John Zook, alias Albert Murphey, a brakeman on the
C. P. & St. L railroad, fell under his train the other side of
Lockhaven Saturday night, and both of his legs were severed from
his body between the knees and hips. Zook is in a critical
condition at the St. Joseph's hospital where he was taken, and
cannot possibly recover. Zook had a terrible experience
according to his own story. He was in the act of jumping from a
box car to a flat car loaded with lumber when he missed his
footing, and landed on the end of a board which sprung him into
the air and allowed him to fall down between the cars onto the
track. Zook stated that he knew he was under the train and tried
to get his head under the wheels so that he would meet death and
not be a terrible cripple. He will probably realize his wish in
this respect anyway, as he cannot recover. Zook's cries were
heard by the other trainmen and he was picked up and sent back
to Alton on the evening passenger train. He gave his name as
Albert Murphy at the time, but at the hospital told the
physicians that his name was John Zook, and asked that they
notify his mother and sister in Indianapolis, Ind. When the
injured man was picked up his two limbs were completely severed
from his body, several cars having passed over them. Zook died
at 12 o'clock today after suffering intensely for many hours. It
was his wish he die, one of the horrors of his railroad life
having been that he would some day lose his limbs in a wreck.