Family and farming Frederick Hinde Zimmerman

peter jacob hinde zimmerman in 1920, fred zimmerman s son.

after failure of grocery store in arkansas in 1886, zimmerman returned family farm , became gentleman farmer. after zimmerman returned, father gave small acreage of hinde farm zimmerman s half brother john h. zimmerman, raised pigs , farmed acreage until sold property zimmerman several years later. zimmerman given title hinde family farm father on july 13, 1902 after married agnes oldendorf (1872–1922). agnes daughter of peter , mary s. oldendorf ran music business , retail liquor dealers in mount carmel. brother of zimmerman s wife, charles oldendorf, served mayor of mount carmel, illinois during late 1890s, encouraged zimmerman join fraternal organization knights of pythias. in 1906, zimmerman became chancellor commander of knights of pythias lodge in wabash county, illinois , captain in uniform rank of order.

after receiving title hinde family farm in 1902, zimmerman built house young family near grand rapids dam. once construction of new home completed zimmerman used 2 horse teams , numerous men lift father s old home near river , move higher ground closer new home. couple had 2 children, rebecca zimmerman in 1901 , peter jacob hinde zimmerman in 1903. zimmerman , wife raised children in methodist faith , attended school in mount carmel. son s years zimmerman trained him operate farm land , livestock. son won many awards in livestock shows. following zimmerman s death in 1924, ownership of grand rapids hotel divided equally between children. owned hotel until burned down in 1929 hotel manager glenn goodart under suspicious circumstances.

in 1901, zimmerman elected secretary of illinois farmers institute, position held 3 years. father held leadership positions illinois farmers institute , gave speeches on farming practices, origin of soils, road system, , climatic influence on plants. meetings during tenure secretary averaged 350 participating members , yearlong membership in 1901 cost $71.99. district director stated during tenure of zimmerman , other officers made institute, ...look attractive after fixed flags , bunting. @ time institute members , zimmerman followers of grangers movement, put emphasis on families band promote economic , political well-being of community , agriculture.

zimmerman known raising of finest trotting horses in southern illinois, , many of horses noted dressage ability. zimmerman operated successful livestock operation focused on raising specialty hogs , cattle. noted nationally breeder , owner of holstein-fresian cows holstein-friesian association of america. 3 of holstein cows (netherland gem segis, kosa beat segis, , vickery de kol korndyke) listed among best known of breed in herd , pedigree listings. short time zimmerman , father raised registered shropshire sheep meat, @ family farm near grand rapids dam. of shropshire sheep listed on american shropshire registry, national register highest quality sheep of breed. zimmerman s son lived on family farm entire life , in later years elected various public offices in wabash county illinois. father, continued tradition of raising specialty hogs , cattle. both men continually expanded family land holdings , diversified farming operations.