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| Charles K. Zorger |  |  |  |  |
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| CHARLES K. ZORGER. (Volume 1, Page 364) Among Clinton's prominent and successful citizens who have retired from active business is Charles K. Zorger, who was born in Newbury township, York county, Pennsylvania, January 1, 1831, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Keister) Zorger, also natives of the Keystone state. His paternal grandfather was Peter Zorger, who died young. The father, who followed farming and ran a still house, died when about forty years of age, when our subject was only two years and a half old. The mother long survived him, passing away in 1866, at the age of seventy-eight. Their children were: Susanna, wife of H. Brubacher; Adam Henry, deceased; Michael, a resident of White county, Indiana; Jacob K., of Clinton, Illinois; and Charles K., our subject. In early life Charles K. Zorger worked at farming until eighteen years of age, and then went to York, Pennsylvania, where he learned the plasterer's trade. Subsequently he followed that occupation in Wayne county, Ohio, for two years. On the 17th of April, 1852, he landed in Clinton, Illinois, and having become master of his trade, he began business here as a contractor. Among his first work which is still standing are the homes of Dr. Edmiston and Mrs. Bishop, and several stores on the northeast corner of the square. During the Civil war Mr. Zorger enlisted in 1862 in Company B, One Hundred and Seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He was promoted as sergeant, and was serving as first lieutenant when discharged. He is now an honored member of the Grand Army Post at Clinton, in which he has held office. For a year and a half after his return from the war, Mr. Zorger worked at his trade, and then bought the Ray farm of two hundred acres in Texas township, which he improved and operated for some time and which he still owns. In connection with his brother, Jacob K., he next bought the Alex Kelly farm of one hundred and sixty-eight acres in Creek township; the Greer farm of sixty-five acres in Texas township; the Davis farm of two hundred and forty acres in Clintonia township. For many years he successfully engaged in general farming and stock-raising, and was one of the largest horse breeders and raisers in the county, making a specialty of English draft horses. There is probably not a better judge of horses in the county, and in this line of business he met with most excellent success. In 1883 he practically retired from business and removed to Clinton, purchasing the J. North property, which he improved and later sold, it being now used as the Presbyterian parsonage. Buying the G. W. Gideon property, he replaced the old house by a fine modern residence. Mr. Zorger still retains possession of his farms, which he rents. In addition to this property he owns in partnership with George W. Woy the block on the west corner of East Main and South Monroe streets, which is used for store purposes. Mr. Zorger has been married three times, his first wife being Miss Rachel Strominger, a daughter of Jacob Strominger, of York county, Pennsylvania, and to them were born five children, but only two are now living: Lincoln, an engineer of Clinton, who married Anna Smallwood and has one child, Louis; and Ella who resides at home. Mr. Zorger next married Mrs. Martha (Cross) Wilmore. His third wife was Miss Hulda Johnson, a daughter of Eason Johnson, one of the oldest citizens of Clinton. Her father was born near Providence, Rhode Island, August 13, 1814, a son of Joseph and Lydia (Cook) Johnson, who were natives of the same state and from there removed to Ohio, where his mother died. His father, who was a large land owner in Ohio, spent his last days in Clinton, Illinois, where he died at the age of eighty-two years. Eason Johnson grew to manhood in Ohio, and on the 17th of December, 1835, married Miss Alice Calender, who was also born in Ohio, December 25, 1816. They are now the oldest married couple in Clinton, and are highly esteemed by all who know them. Their children are: Nancy, Amos, Huldah, Ira, Alice, Joseph E., Allura, Lovina, and Emma. Politically Mr. Zorger is identified with the Republican party, and fraternally he affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Encampment and Rebekahs. He is the oldest Odd Fellow in Clinton and is past grand of his lodge. A man of keen perception, of unbounded enterprise, his success in life is due entirely to his own efforts, and he deserves prominent mention among the leading and representative citizens of DeWitt county. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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