Matthias R. Zahniser    

MATTHIAS R. ZAHNISER is a son of David and Bachel (Tice) Zahniser. The grandfather, Matthias Zahniser, was one of Mercer County’s early settlers. Our subject was born May 12, 1844, in Jefferson Township. His early life was spent on the home farm, receiving such education as the township schools afforded. At the age of eighteen he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Fortieth Pennsylvania Reserves, and participated in all the engagements from the battle of the Wilderness to Spottsylvania, where he suffered the loss of his right leg from a gun-shot wound. After returning from the army he engaged in the mercantile business at Big Bend, Jefferson Township, where he remained for three years. In 1871 he located in Sharpsville, was elected constable for that borough and served three years. In 1877, in connection with his brother, H. N. Zahniser, he engaged in the boot and shoe business. In 1880 his brother sold his interest to J. L. Filman, and in 1882 our subject sold his interest, also, to Mr. Filman, and until May of the present year, was in his employ. Our subject is now in charge of the boot and shoe department of J.P. Hughes’ mercantile business. Mr. Zahniser was married in 1871 to Miss Lottie, daughter of James Hunter, of Pymatuning Township, and by this union they have two children: Charley W. and Nellie D. Our subject was the Democratic candidate for member of the Legislature in 1884. He is a member of the G. A. R., Sharpsville Post No. 234, and one of the past commanders. He also belongs to the K. of L. Politically he is a Democrat, but voted for Harrison and Morton.

History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present : including its aboriginal history, its early settlement and development, a description of its historic and interesting localities, sketches of its boroughs, townships and villages, neighborhood and family histories, portraits and biographies of pioneers and representative citizens, statistics, etc. : also, a condensed history of Pennsylvania. Chicago, Ill.: Brown, Runk & Co., 1888, page 847.  Read this book on line - Free Trial  Search Hundreds of 1880s-1890s Pennsylvania County History Books for biographies and historical information on your ancestors.  View the book page images on line and print them out for your genealogy file!  Free Access to the old history books - plus birth & death records, census images and ALL other records at ancestry.com

.