Biography of Jacob and Henrietta Zoeller

Zoeller

Jacob and Henrietta (Schnitzler) Zoeller

of Claryville, KY and Reading, OH

1868 - Dec. 26 -- Born in Pittsburgh, the son of Phillip G. and Margaret (Keinert) Zoeller.

1884 - July 30 - Future wife Henrietta Schnitzler born in Alexandria, Kentucky. She was the daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Borchers) Schnitzler.

1906 - Living in Reading, Hamilton County, Ohio, at the time of the death of his father. He returned to Pittsburgh to attend the funeral.

1910 - Living in Reading, Hamilton County, Ohio, at the death of his mother.

1910s - Married Henrietta Schnitzler (1884- ? ), who was 15 years younger than he. The wedding is thought to have taken place in the 1910s. They went on to have four children, born between the years 1917 and 1930 -- Carl J. Zoeller, Howard W. Zoeller, Margaret "Peggy" (Zoeller) O'Dwyer Sprague and Norma Ruth Zoeller.

1916-1917 - Marries Henrietta Schnitzler.

1916 - Aug. 14 - Son Carl J. Zoeller born.

1918 - Sept. 27 - Son Howard W. Zoeller is born in Kentucky.

1920 - In the U.S. census, Jacob and Henrietta are residing in Claryville, Campbell County, Kentucky, with sons Carl and Howard. That year, Jacob's occupation is given as farmer.

1928 - Jan. 25 - Daughter Norma Ruth Zoeller born.

1930 - The federal census shows Jacob and Henrietta living in Sycamore, Hamilton County, OH, on Deerfield Road. His occupation is shown as a moldmaker in a glass factory, paralleling the careers of his brothers John and Phillip and at least one nephew.

1940 - In the Hamilton County Directory, published by the Cincinnati Post, Jacob is shown to be residing on Deerfield Road in Hazelwood. Son Carl is employed in watch repair, and son Howard as a chemist.

1941 - Visited nephew Frederick Heinz Zoeller in Sewickley, near Pittsburgh, staying for a week. In photos of the visit, is seen wearing a straw hat.

1944 - Son Carl Zoeller is married to Vernice Reed and living at 1860 Reading Road in Reading, while Howard resides with their parents at 1864 Reading Road, as shown in the Hamilton County Directory.

1947 - Still living in Reading – mentioned in the Pittsburgh Press obituary of his sister Julia Zoeller, who died on Nov. 3.

Left: photos from the 1951 visit from Jacob's nephew Fred Heinz Zoeller and family from Pittsburgh. Right: Grand-nephew Fred Elmer Zoeller re-creates the scene in 2007.

1951 - Nephew Fred Heinz Zoeller and his wife Mary (Esken) Zoeller and their sons Fred E. and William visit at Jacob and Henrietta's home in Reading, Ohio. Daughter Peggy and son Howard and his wife and three children pose in photos with the Pennsylvania Zoellers. The home is located at 1864 Reading Road.

1952 - July 31 - Jacob dies at the age of 83. Following a funeral led by Rev. Herbert Humble of the local Methodist Church, is buried at Rest Haven Cemetery in Sharonville, Hamilton County.

1957 - Son Howard and his wife Ella Marie Zoeller move to New Carlisle, Clark County, Ohio. They have two children -- Daniel H. Zoeller and June Ellen Kipp. Over the years, Howard is employed as a chemist and engineer. Ella passes away on May 12, 1977.

The Zoellers' grave at Rest Haven Cemetery

1967 - Jan. 12 - After 15 years as a widow, Henrietta passes away at the age of 82 at Cincinnati's Good Samaritan Hospital. She had suffered from lung and breast cancer, with complications caused by bronchio-pneumonia. Her funeral was held at the Schmidt-Dhonau Funeral Home in Reading, followed by burial beside her husband at Rest Haven Cemetery. At the time of her death, she had five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Her obituary is published in the Cincinnati Enquirer.

1992 - Jan. 25 - Son Carl J. Zoeller (1916-1992), residing at Deer Park, Ohio, dies at the age of 75. His wife, Vernice (Reed) Zoeller, had passed away the year before, in January 1991. They are survived by son James D. Zoeller and two granddaughters. They rest for eternity at Arlington Memorial Gardens. Their obituaries both are published in the Cincinnati Enquirer. During his early working years, Carl is employed as a jewelry apprentice.

Fred Zoeller, left, meets 2nd cousin Daniel Zoeller for the first time in 2007

1993 - May 17 - After 16 years as a widower, son Howard W. Zoeller (1918-1993) dies at the age of 74 in Grandview Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. The funeral is held at McKendree United Methodist Church, led by Rev. Marjorie Thompson, followed by burial at Riverview Memory Gardens. His obituary is published in the Cincinnati Enquirer.

1995 - Jan. 23 - Daughter Norma (1928-1995), who never married, passes away at age 66, just two days before her birthday. She is buried at Rest Haven. Her obituary is published in the Cincinnati Enquirer. Her employment over the years is as a stenographer.

2002 - Sept. 28 - Daughter Peggy passes away in Dallas, Texas, at the age of 82. Her remains are returned to Reading for burial. She was the mother of Keith Sprague, Wayne O'Dwyer and Dennis O'Dwyer. Her obituary is published in the Cincinnati Enquirer.

2007 - October - Making contact for the first time in mor than half a century, second cousins Daniel Zoeller (Jacob's grandson) and Frederick Elmer Zoeller (Phillip's grandson) meet and get acquainted in Reading. Fred's daughter Liz Zoeller Miner joins him on the visit. Together, they visit Jacob's former home on Reading Road, and pay their respects at the Zoeller graves at Rest Haven Memorial Park.

Graves of the Zoeller sisters at Rest Haven Memorial Park