Matthias R. Zahniser and Della Smith

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Husband Matthias R. Zahniser ^{1 2}

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           Born: 12 May 1844 - Jefferson Twp, Mercer Co, PA 3
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

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         Father: David Zahniser (1812-1878) 4 5
         Mother: Rachel Tice (1822-1883/1884) 5 6

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       Marriage: 

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   Other Spouse: Lottie Hunter (      -      ) 2 3 - 1871 2 3

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Wife Della Smith ²

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           Born: 1873 2
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

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Children

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General Notes: Husband - Matthias R. Zahniser

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His early life was spent on the home farm in Mercer County, PA, receiving such education as the township schools afforded. At the age of eighteen he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Fortieth Pennsylvania Reserves, and participated in all the engagements from the battle of the Wilderness to Spottsylvania, where he suffered the loss of his right leg from a gun-shot wound. After returning from the army he engaged in the mercantile business at Big Bend, Jefferson Township, where he remained for three years. In 1871 he located in Sharpsville, was elected constable for that borough and served three years. In 1877, in connection with his brother, H. N. Zahniser, he engaged in the boot and shoe business. In 1880 his brother sold his interest to J. L. Filman, and in 1882 our subject sold his interest, also, to Mr. Filman, but remained in his employ for several years. He was later in charge of the boot and shoe department of J. P. Hughes' mercantile business. He was the Democratic candidate for member of the Legislature in 1884. He was a member of the G. A. R., Sharpsville Post No. 234, and one of the past commanders. He also belonged to the K. of L. Politically he was a Democrat, but voted for Harrison and Morton. [HMC 1888, 847]
He later resided at Coldwater, MI.
His second wife was a lady of considerable promi­nence and came from one of the leading fami­lies of the country.

1 Editor, History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania. Its Past and Present (Chicago, IL: Brown, Runk & Co., Publishers, 1888), Pg 847, 932.

2 Kate M. Zahniser & Charles Reed Zahniser, The Zahnisers - A History of the Family in America (Mercer, PA: Kate M. Zahniser, Publisher, 1906), Pg 105.

3 Editor, History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania. Its Past and Present (Chicago, IL: Brown, Runk & Co., Publishers, 1888), Pg 847.

4 Editor, History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania. Its Past and Present (Chicago, IL: Brown, Runk & Co., Publishers, 1888), Pg 932, 1018.

5 Kate M. Zahniser & Charles Reed Zahniser, The Zahnisers - A History of the Family in America (Mercer, PA: Kate M. Zahniser, Publisher, 1906), Pg 104.

6 Editor, History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania. Its Past and Present (Chicago, IL: Brown, Runk & Co., Publishers, 1888), Pg 932.