Zinn, Hanry A.

ZINN, BOYER, RULEY

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 7/30/2013 at 15:49:36

Hanry A. Zinn, president of the Electric Light & Power Company of Anamosa, is numbered among the representative business men of the city, whose efforts are a potent force in the commercial development and progress here. His birth occurred in Pennsylvania in 1872, his parents being J. R. and Almanda (Boyer) Zinn, both of whom were natives of the Keystone state. On leaving that state in 1877, they removed to western Kansas, where they lived for about three years, and then became residents of Missouri, where they continued to reside until coming to Jones county, Iowa, in 1895. The father died in 1897 at the age of forty-six years and is still survived by the mother, who now resides at Oxford Mills, this county.

Hanry A. Zinn spent his youthful days under the parental roof, his time being divided between the work of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and such tasks as were assigned him by parental authority. On attaining his majority he left home and started in the business world on his own account. He sought and secured employment with the Dubuque Milling & Turbine Company, remaining with them for about seven months, after which he engaged with the firm of Barnard & Lees at Moline, Illinois. There he remained for three years, after which, in company with his father, he engaged in the milling business at Oxford Mills, Jones county, under the firm name of T. R. Zinn & Son. His previous experience had well qualified him for work of this character and his practical training and business enterprise proved forceful elements in the success of the enterprise. Soon after the. business was established, however, the father died and Mr. Zinn continued to operate the mill alone until 1900. In that year, he and his brother, F. E. Zinn, organized what was known as the Electric Light & Power Company, the plant being located at Oxford Mills and furnishing outside light and power to Oxford Junction and Wyoming. This undertaking proved a profitable venture and led Hanry A. Zinn to extend his efforts into other fields. In 1902 he organized what is known as the Oxford Junction Telephone Company, establishing a local exchange at Oxford Junction and connecting it with lines at Clarence, Wyoming and other points. He was an active factor in the work of this company until establishing his present business in Anamosa,

It was in 1905 that he was instrumental in organizing the Electric Light & Power Company of Anamosa, which is capitalized for thirty-five thousand dollars, with Hanry A. Zinn as the president; F. E. Zinn as vice president; Park Chambering as secretary; and George Schoonover as treasurer. Mr. Zinn is one of the best known representatives of electric light interests in this part of the state. he still retains his financial interests in the Zinn Electric Light & Power Company and in the telephone company, while at the present time he is bending his energies to administrative directions as the head of the Electric Light & Power Company of Anamosa. His work in this connection is of a most practical character, leading to substantial results, and he has secured for the company a large patronage that makes this business one of the profitable enter prises of the city. He is also in partnership with his brother, as the owners of a ranch of forty-three hundred acres in North Dakota, all in one body.

In the year 1901 Hanry A. Zinn was united in marriage to Miss Mamie Ruley, a daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Curren) Ruley. The father is a native of Bohemia and the mother of Jones county, Iowa. Four children have been born of this marriage—Norma, Keven, Kathaline and Margaret. The family are prominent socially in the community, having a large circle of warm friends here, while the hospitality of the best homes is freely accorded them.

In politics Mr. Zinn is independent, voting for men and measures rather than party. He is associated with the Catholic church and is interested in all those things which are factors in municipal progress or which are matters of civic virtue and civic pride. In his business career he has made steady progress owing to his wise and intelligent appreciation and use of opportunities whereby he has come into important business connections, being numbered among the representative men of Anamosa.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 286.