By: Mark Holtsberry
Bert Admiral Zeigler Sr. Was born May 14, 1876 in Fulton, Morrow County, Ohio. The son of William born 1848 in Ohio and Mary (Perkins) Zeigler, born 1853 in England. This couple was married February 22, 1874 in Huron, Ohio. In 1880, the Zeigler couple and two children, Bert five and sister Maude M. two, were living in Providence, Lucas County, Ohio.
William was a plasterer. In September of 1885, a brother, Frank was born. By 1890, the family was still living in Lucas County. Bert’s father William passed away in 1894. It is unclear where he was buried. Mary remarried a fella named Jacob Hogeboom, whose wife, Sarah, had passed away May 12, 1892. The couple moved to Fulton County, Ohio along with son Frank.
By 1898, Bert had moved to Antwerp, Ohio. In May of 1898, as a Company of men were forming in Paulding for the Spanish American War, Bert came to Paulding and signed up. Bert was mustered in to serve with Company M. 2nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, May 10, 1898. He, like a few, were sick in quarters. He was sick, November 29-December 7, 1898. He was mustered out of service with the Company, February 10, 1899.
Bert also served with Company G. 6th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was on attached service at Homiguro, Cuba, March 24-April 4, 1899. From a special order. He was mustered out with company, May 24, 1899 at Camp McKenzie, Augusta, Georgia.
In 1899, Bert met a gal named Edith Elfrieda Pursley. They married December 24, 1899 in Paulding, Ohio. November 1, 1900, a daughter, Marion was born. Followed by a son William Maurice, January 31, 1901.
On December 2, 1904, Bert filed for his war pension. A daughter, Ester Rama, was born January 20, 1905, followed by a son Robert Pursley May 2, 1909.
By 1910, Bert and Edith and children, were living on North Main Street in Antwerp. Bert was running his grocery store. A son, James Edger, was born June 27, 1913, a son David B. was born in 1917, a daughter Florence Arlene was born in 1918.
On September 12, 1918, at Paulding draft precinct, Bert registered for the World War 1 draft. Short in height, slender build, light brown eyes, dark hair, still in the grocery business. He did not have to serve, he was 42 years old. A daughter, Dorothy Elizabeth, was born October 28, 1919.
By 1920 the family, Bert, Edith and seven children, were living on Woodcox Street in Antwerp. Bert was still running his grocery store. A son, Bert Admiral Zeigler Jr. was born, July 11, 1924. Between that timeframe of four years, I believe David B. Zeigler passed away. Never found out what happened to him.
On February 10, 1930, Bert Admiral Zeigler Sr. passed away in Antwerp. He was buried in Maumee Cemetery, Old Section, Lot 104, Grave 1. Edith and the children moved to Ft. Wayne. Living at 219 Leith Street. March 14, 1930, Edith filed for widow’s pension.
During World War Two, a daughter, Dorothy, served in the Navy. Bert’s son, Bert Jr., will also serve. By 1950, Edith and daughters, Marion and Dorothy were living in Ft. Wayne on West Jefferson Street. Edith was working as a housekeeper.
On January 5, 1956, Edith passed away in Ft. Wayne. She was buried beside Bert in Maumee Cemetery, Antwerp, Ohio. She never remarried.
…Until Next Time!
