Miami Union

September 15, 1877

ZIEGENFELDER, JOHN P. - John P. Ziegenfelder, son of Mr. Geo. Ziegenfelder, died at his father's residence last Monday evening, after a short illness of but 36 hours. He was 33 years of age. His funeral took place Wednesday afternoon, interment Rose Hill Cemetery. The deceased was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge and First Assistant Chief of the Troy Fire Department, and those organizations attended his funeral in a body. He was a graduate of the Troy High School in the class of '64, of which he was Valedictorian. He was a strict, attentive business man and took an active part in all public enterprises, and his loss will be felt in our town.

Miami Union

ZIEGENFELDER, JOHN P. - In Memoriam - John P. Ziegenfelder, son of Geo. and Catharine Ziegenfelder, was born, July 25, 1844, in Troy, O. From his earliest youth his mind was the receptacle of all the best and most enduring kinds of knowledge. Rejecting fiction and poetry he applied himself constantly to the study of those things tending to advance the conditions of his fellows and ameliorate that of the poorer classes. He was, as a lad, always foremost in his studies, in youthful society, and in all enterprises in which his associates engaged, and when youth was closed by his brilliant graduation from our High School, he entered upon the duties of manhood with the same zeal and determined purpose to excel, which characterized his boyhood days. Noted as he was for excellence in all things mental and physical, the road to political prefertment of wealth was open and inviting, but true to his belief in the right, he, without a murmur, laid self aside, and without a moment's hesitation devoted his life to the society and comfort of his aged parents and to the brotherly protection and guidance of his young brothers and sisters, contented to shut from his sight the brilliant prospects opened to him and enjoyed by others, and satisfy himself with the consciousness of duty performed, the gratitude of his parents, the love of his brother and sisters, and the abiding respect of his friends. The "Old Pioneer" as he was affectionately called by his intimates, was known throughout the county as a straight out Democrat, a gentleman and an honest man. His world was synonymous with Truth and needed no endorsement. While an unflinching Democrat and a successful and honored worker in the party, yet such was his influence, that he needed not to use the ordinary means to procure assistance at elections; what he said 'was so'. He was a liberal giver to all worthy charities, whether religious or secular. He was one of the foremost in all that pertained to the interests of the town, or of his fellow citizens, and in all enterprises of that nature took a foremost place. He was intimately identified with the various secret orders of the town, and ever since his age would permit a foremost member of our Fire Companies. His loss will be deeply felt by his family and friends, and he will be sadly missed by the younger citizens generally. Requiescat in pace. C.