DANIEL ZEHNER                          

The St. Paul Journal, Thursday, Aug. 24, 1916, Pg. 1

Died:  Aug. 21, 1916

DEATHS.

  Daniel Zehner, one of our oldest, and most respected citizens, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. M. L. Carr, in Kansas City, Monday night, at the advanced age of 80 years, six months, and eleven days.

  Mr. Zehner was born of German parentage in Tamaqua, Schuykill county, Penn., February 10, 1836.  When he was about seven years old he moved with his parents to Richland county, Ohio, where he grew up to manhood.  In 1855, he moved to Van Wert county, Ohio, where he was united in marriage to Mary Rowland, February 14, 1860.  During the war he served in Captain Davis’ company in the 169th regiment of Ohio infantry, being stationed much of the time as a prison guard at Point Lookout on the Chesepeake bay.  He moved his family to Kansas and located in Osage Mission in 1870 and made his home here until his death.

  Mr. Zehner was a stone mason and bricklayer by trade and had a hand in building nearly all of the business buildings in St. Paul.  His first work here was in the winter of 1870-1871, on the stone building now owned by his daughter Mrs. C. C. Neighbors, and occupied by the post office.  He and Joseph Doyle, now of Walnut, had charge of and did much of the stone work on St. Francis church.  For several years he did contract work, and during that time had a hand in the construction of some of the stone and brick buildings at Walnut, Independence and Erie.  He had a contract for a large part of the stone work on the Santa Fe railroad when that line was built, and also had contracts on the Choctaw railroad.  He conducted a brick yard here in 1872.

  Mr. Zehner took an active part in the local affairs and served a number of terms on the city council.  He was elected mayor of Osage Mission in 1894, and again in 1895, being the last mayor of the city while it retained that name.  He was again elected in 1896, being the first mayor of the newly named town of St. Paul.

  He was a life long democrat and while he had no desire for office he took an active part in many of the party conventions. 

  While quite young he joined the Lutheran church and remained a faithful member until he came to Osage Mission.  There being no Lutheran church here he joined the M. E. church here, he joined the M. E. church in 1873, and remained a faithful member until his death, having served as a trustee of the local church for many years.

  He joined the Osage Mission lodge, I. O. O. F., in 1870, and successively filled every office in the local lodge, retaining his membership during the remainder of his life.

  Ten children blessed the Zehner home, four of whom died in infancy.  The living are W. E. Zehner of Dallas, Texas; Mrs. C. C. Neighbors of St. Paul; Mrs. A. R. Herod, of Thayer; Mrs. M. F. Carr and Mrs. A. C. Hoffman, of Kansas City; Mrs. George Ensch, of St. Paul.  There are thirteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren living.  Mrs. Zehner died April 29, 1906.  Since her death Mr. Zehner has been making his home with his daughter, Mrs. Ensch.  He enjoyed splendid health until a few months ago, and when his health began to decline rapidly.  However he was able to be about the house much of the time, and two weeks ago was feeling well enough to make a trip to Kansas City to visit his daughters.  Even last Sunday he was able to be about the house.  Monday he suffered a relapse and died at 11:45 p. m., a quiet peaceful death, just as tho he were going to sleep.  The remains were brought to his home here in St. Paul Tuesday.  The funeral services will be held at 2 p. m. today and will be conducted by Rev. Samuel Finch a very close friend of the deceased.

  Daniel Zehner was a mighty good all-around man.  He was an active worker all his life and leaves behind many monuments, the result of his labors.

  The bereaved relatives have the deepest sympathy of everyone.