U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: ------------------------------------------------------------------- Zoeckler, George L. (1858-1940) ------------------------------------------------------------------- Men of West Virginia, Volume II Biographical Publishing Company George Richmond, Pres.: C. R. Arnold, Sec'y and Treas. Chicago, Illinois, 1903 Pages 525-527 GEORGE L. ZOECKLER. — Stall No. 21, of the Second Ward Market, at Fulton, Ohio County, West Virginia, has been longer occupied than any in the town. It may also be said that there is no busier center of activity, for the enterprising proprietor understands the advertising value of business integrity, and likewise provides meats and provisions of such excellent quality as to find ready market among the best livers of the vicinity. Much of the success of Mr. Zoeckler may be attributed to those reliable traits of character handed down from an industrious German ancestry, although he is a native of Wheeling, where he was born in 1858. His father, also named George, was born in Grunberg, Hessen- Darmstadt, Germany, and came to America with his parents in 1850 when but 18 years of age. George Zoeckler readily adapted himself to American conditions, and became widely known in Wheeling and Fulton. He was the originator of the business now conducted by his son, and during his entire active life was engaged in the meat business. At his shop near Fulton he carried on a satisfactory trade, and also became interested in politics; he was one of the bulwarks of the Republican party in his section. He possessed shrewd ability in various directions, and his life, terminated November 17, 1891, at the age of 58 years, might well have extended its usefulness for yet another score. Mrs. Zoeckler, who was formerly Catherine Grimmel, was also born in Hessen-Darmstadt, came to America in 1852, and is at present 67 years of age. Aside from her son, George L., her daughter, Minnie (Mrs. John Roth), also lives in Fulton, the latter being the wife of one of the Roth brothers, engaged in the feed business. In 1889 George L. Zoeckler succeeded to his father's business, which he at once proceeded to enlarge and conduct according to the most modern and approved methods. At present he is able to employ five assistants, and aside from a large wholesale business runs two wagons to Wheeling and vicinity twice a week, to supply his patrons in the city. The butchering is done at his own slaughter houses and he packs some meat, having two large ice-houses. The capacity of the establishment varies according to the weather and time of the year. The Zoeckler home in Fulton is a fine and hospitable place. It is presided over by Mrs. Zoeckler, formerly Emma Ebeling, who was born in December, 1857, and is a daughter of August Ebeling, one of the early residents of Ohio County. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Zoeckler, as follows: Oscar, who is 21 years of age, and assists his father in his business; John, who is 19 years old, and also works with his father; Eddie, who is 11 years of age, and George, Jr., who is nine years old, both of whom are attending school; Clyde Ebeling and Harry, who died at an early age; and Katie, who died of diphtheria when 10 years of age. Politically Mr. Zoeckler is a Republican, and cast his first presidential vote for Garfield. On several occasions his fellow townsmen have demonstrated their confidence by electing him to positions of trust, and he has been a member of the City Council of Fulton a number of times. His father was at first a Democrat, but later gave his allegiance to the Republican party. An interesting item in connection with this early pioneer is the fact that he bought the first $500 bond at Wheeling during the progress of the Civil War. The entire Zoeckler family are members of St. John's German Independent Protestant Church. ------------------------------------------------------------------- From Death Certificate, Ohio County, WV #2550 FULL-NAME: George Louis Zoeckler BIRTH-DATE: August 4th, 1858 BIRTH-PLACE: Wheeling, West Virginia DEATH-DATE: February 28, 1940 (at age 81y-6m-24d) DEATH-PLACE: 118 Bow St., Wheeling, Ohio County, WV USUAL-RESIDENCE: 118 Bow St., Wheeling, Ohio County, WV MARITAL-STATUS: Widowed OCCUPATION: Meat Business, Own Business FATHER: George Zoeckler (born in Germany) MOTHER: Catherine Cimmel (born in Germany) CAUSE-OF-DEATH: Hypostatic pneumonia, Uremia INFORMANT: Edw. J. Zoeckler (of Wheeling, West Virginia) BURIAL: Greenwood Cemetery, Wheeling, WV Shared Tombstone in Greenwood Cemetery, Wheeling, Ohio County, WV ZOECKLER Emma Ebeling George Louis Dec. 26, 1856 Aug. 4, 1858 Aug. 5, 1938 Feb. 28, 1940 ------------------------------------------------------------------- If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access other biographies for Ohio County, WV by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/wv/ohio/bios.html -------------------------------------------------------------------