Imperial County, CA Biographies

Transcribed by Sally Kaleta, January, 2007.

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm




SAMUEL BLAIR ZIMMER
 
                   Samuel Blair Zimmer was born in Bloomington, Illinois, 
October 30, 1869, son of Levi and Elizabeth (Blair) Zimmer, among the early 
pioneers in Bloomington. His father was one of the substantial, esteemed and 
respected citizens of his locality. Samuel B., the subject of this review, was 
educated in the public and high schools of Omaha, Nebraska, graduating from the 
latter in 1889. He removed to California, where he studied architecture, and 
located in San Diego, where he engaged in the same pursuit. Here he remained for 
a period of six years. He then went to El Paso, Texas, where he remained until 
1901, when he removed to San Francisco, and enjoyed recognition in the 
metropolis as one of the leading and enterprising men in his chosen field. In 
the fall of 1907, owing to ill health, he came to Imperial County, where he has 
since remained. He planned and erected the El Centro high school in the Valley, 
and the El Centro jail. He has gained for himself a position of prominence in 
the architectural and building line, and his influence is always given in 
support of whatever he feels will promote the best interests of the community. 
Fraternally, Mr. Zimmer is a Mason and is a member of the Blue Lodge of El 
Centro. He was united in marriage in San Diego, California, July 8, 1896, to 
Mrs. Gertrude E. Tichenor. To this union has been born one daughter, Gertrude, 
born April 21, 1908. Mr. Zimmer comes from a family who came to this country 
previous to the Revolutionary War and many of his ancestors fought and gave 
their blood in defense of their chosen land.
 
Source: "The History of Imperial County, California," Elms and Franks Publ. Co., 
1918, p. 374.