Biography of Frank T. Zimmerman, pages 890/891/892. Memorial Record of Northeastern Indiana. The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1896. Frank T. Zimmerman. A man’s reputation is the property of the world. The laws of nature have forbidden isolation. Every human being submits to the controlling influence of others, or as a master spirit wields a power either for good or evil on the masses of mankind. There can be no impropriety in justly scanning the acts of any man as they affect his public and business relations. If he is honest and eminent in his chosen field of labor investigation will brighten his fame and point the path that others may follow with like success. From the ranks of quiet, persevering yet prominent citizens---prominent on account of what he has done in commercial circles-there is no one more deserving of mention in a volume of this character than Frank T. Zimmerman, who occupies the responsible position of general manager with the Zimmerman Manufacturing Company, of Auburn, Indiana. No section of the country has produced men of more progressive spirit that the central Mississippi States. They have the undaunted enterprise of the West, the stability of the East. In this section is the birthplace of our subject. In fact, he is a native son of DeKalb county, his birth having occurred in Concord township, July 21, 1852, his parents being E. and Mary (Bittinger) Zimmerman. Their family numbered seven children , five whom are now living, namely: Frank T.; George B.; Celestia A., now the wife of C.C. Schlatter; Mary A., now the wife of Dr. A. M. Markle; and John, who is secretary of the Zimmerman Manufacturing Company. Two children of the family are now deceased. The father is numbered among Auburn’s honored pioneer settlers and a man prominent if business affairs. Now event of special personal importance occurred during the boyhood and youth of our subject. During his first fifteen years he was largely engaged in acquiring an education in the district schools. He then entered upon his business career as an employe in his father’s stave factory in Leo, Allen county, and was soon placed in charge of this factory, which he successfully managed until the fall of 1872. In the same year he joined this uncle, S. J. Zimmerman, in the establishment and operation of a sawmill one mile from St. Joe, on the line of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. When a year had passed Frank T. Zimmerman sold out to his uncle and removed to Auburn, where he obtained the position of engineer with the Auburn Hub & Spoke Company. Here his excellent business ability was soon recognized and a month later, when he purchased stock in the company, he was made general manager. From this time forward Mr. Zimmerman has been prominently identified with the manufacturing interests of the city and has taken an active and influential part in promoting, through this channel, the general welfare of Auburn Hub & Spoke Company, he embarked in business on his own account; and later on, in December, 1886, organized and established the Zimmerman Manufacturing Company. His capable management, his well directed efforts and his thorough understanding of the business have not only enabled him to build up an extensive trade, but have also won for the company a most high reputation. The plant is located in Auburn and is one of the best equipped in the State. From the beginning its trade has steadily increased, the superiority of the products well meriting the liberal patronage received. The manufactured products of the establishment are diversified in character, including carriages, buggies, road-wagons, windmills, wagon hubs, etc. In addition the plant comprises a planting mill that turns out moldings of every description from the ornamental, artistic in design and finish, to the commonest article that enters into use on the builder’s art. The company furnish employment to seventy-five hands, and the outside trade is secured through the agency of five traveling salesmen, who have brought to them a handsome business from Iowa, Missouri, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois and Indiana. The paid-up stock of the company is $50,000 and its officers are as follows: E. Zimmerman, president; John Zimmerman, secretary; Albert Robbins, treasurer; and Frank T. Zimmerman, general manager. The success of this enterprise is largely due to the last named, a man of excellent business and executive ability, careful in the management of all affairs, considering no detail to unimportant for his attention. His correct business habits, his progressive methods and his sound judgement have brought to him a well deserved prosperity and gained him the unqualified respect of all with whom he has been thrown in contact. On the 28th of June, 1877, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Zimmerman and Miss Della Gregg, daughter of William Gregg. In his social relations Mr. Zimmerman is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is also a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity. The greater part of his time and attention have, however, been given to his business interests; nor have his energies been directed alone to the enterprise which bears his name. He has aided in bringing to a prosperous condition the Auburn Manufacturing Company, of which he is a director; the Auburn Foundry & Machine Works, of which he is vice-president; the Farmers’ Bank, of which he is also a director,--and in all of the various enterprises with which he is connected he enjoys the full confidence and esteem of his associates. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com