Fred Zimmerman is successfully engaged in operating the Zimmerman homestead, which is a valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres located on sections 10 and 11, Hazel Green township. He was born in Switzerland, October 4, 1878, his parents being Jacob and Rose (Roufe) Zimmerman. The father was born in the district of Berne, Switzerland, April 21, 1849, and was a son of John and Elizabeth (Belher) Zimmerman, both of whom died in their native country. Jacob Zimmerman was educated in his native land and in 1880 settled in Phila­delphia, Pennsylvania, where he lived for a year, after which he came west, locating at Monticello, Iowa. He there worked for others for eight years and then farmed rented land for a year, after which he moved to Castle Grove, Jones county, Iowa, where he followed agricultural pursuits for four years, and at the end of that time he came to Delaware county, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land on sections 10 and 11, Hazel Green township. He cultivated that property for sixteen years and then, as he desired to give up most of the cares of business life, he purchased ten acres on section 16, Hazel Green township, where he and his wife have since lived retired. His marriage occurred in Switzerland in 1877, when Miss Rose Roufe, a daughter of Jacob Roufe, became his wife. Both of her parents died in Berne, Switzerland. To Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Zimmerman were born five children, namely: Rose, who died in Phila­delphia when an infant; Fred, the subject of this review; Emma, the wife of James Shover, a farmer of Hazel Green township; Rose, second of the name, who married Edward Mangold, likewise an agriculturist of Hazel Green township; and Clara, the wife of Ezra Aldrich, a resident of the same township.
     Fred Zimmerman attended the public schools of Monticello and the district schools near his home in the pursuit of an education and assisted his father in the farm work. He found agriculture congenial and since coming to mature years has continued in the occupation to which he was reared. He now operates the old homestead and his indefatigable labor and excellent management are bringing him good profits. He is recognized by those who know him as a farmer of ability and energy.
      Mr. Zimmerman was married on the 21st of October, 1909, to Miss Elsie Aldrich, a daughter of Henry and Emeline (Belding) Aldrich, early settlers of this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman were born two children, one of whom survives, Fred, whose birth occurred August 26, 1911.
      Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman are members of the Golden Congregational church and do all in their power to further the interests of that organization. Mr. Zimmerman is a republican in his political affiliations and manifests a laudable interest in the public welfare. He has many friends who esteem him highly because of his sterling worth as a man, and none grudges him his prosperity as it is well deserved.