Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The
Big Bend Country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties,
State of Washington", published by Western Historical Publishing
Co., 1904.
ELIJAH ZIEGLER, who is now living
a retired life in Creston, is one of the earliest settlers in Lincoln county
and is to be numbered among the most progressive business men of this part
of Washington. He has large property interests in various sections
of the state and is now overseeing his holdings from his residence in Creston.
Elijah Ziegler was born
in Ohio, on January 31, 1846, being the son of David and Elizabeth (Smith)
Ziegler. The mother descended from Pennsylvania Dutch stock and was
a noted church worker. The father also came from Dutch ancestry and
was a native of Pennsylvania. He followed the trade of a weaver most
of his life but was given largely to preaching the gospel and in the latter
years was ordained in the ministry and gave himself entirely to that calling.
In 1853, the family crossed the plains with ox teams to California, consuming
six months on the road. Our subject received his education from the
common schools of California and at a very early age began packing to the
mines. For fifteen years he followed that occupation. Like
many others who were engaged thus, he had many thrilling experiences, especially
in combat with Indians. He engaged in farming in California and did
exceedingly well, receiving as high as fifty dollars per ton for hay and
everything else in proportion. He packed his produce to the mines,
largely, and made a goodly fortune. In 1881 Mr. Ziegler came to what
is now Lincoln county and settled on a homestead about five miles from
where Creston now stands. He bought and sold land at various times
and now has four hundred acres of the best land in Lincoln county, which
is devoted to wheat raising. Mr. Ziegler owns other property in addition
and is one of the wealthy men of the county.
In 1870, Mr. Ziegler
married Miss Carrie, daughter of Hon. Russell and Ann (McMath) Coman, natives
of New York and Pennsylvania, respectively. The father was a very
prominent man in Michigan where he represented his county in the legislature
and held other offices of public trust. Mr. Ziegler was one of the
first councilmen elected in Creston and is now holding this office the
second time. He is a man who has a wide acquaintance and a large
circle of friends and is respected and esteemed by all. Mr. and Mrs.
Zeigler are devoted and consistent members of the Presbyterian church,
and he is trustee of his church.