My Genealogy Hound

MICHAEL ZEECK, blacksmith and edged-tool manufacturer, New Madison. One of the old residents of Harrison Township; he is the son of Adam and Mary (Shaffer) Zeeck, natives of Virginia; his grandfathers, on both the father’s and mother’s side, came from Germany, and were soldiers in the Revolution; the subject of this sketch was born in Wayne Co., Ind., Feb. 22, 1814; during his minority he learned the blacksmith’s trade of his father, who made a specialty of edge-tool manufacturing; in 1835, he came to New Madison, opened a shop, and has lived here ever since; by industry and economy, he has succeeded in accumulating considerable property. He was married Oct. 25, 18__, to Fanny, daughter of John and Jane (Ballard) Beard, who were early settlers of Butler Township; she was born Oct. 2, 1822; her death occurred in 1879, after a severe and protracted illness during which her husband devoted almost his entire time to her care and in attention to her wants; Mr. and Mrs. Zeeck were the parents of eight children, six of whom are living, viz., Mary J., Rebecca B., Sarah P., George A., Abigail L. and John A.; the names of the deceased are Catherine E. and Nancy A. Mr. Zeeck has taken quite an interest in the public affairs of his county,, and has been somewhat prominent; he has served as Commissioner two terms, and held town or township offices, either one or both, almost constantly since he first became a citizen of New Madison, in 1835; was one of the petitioners for the incorporation of the town, and afterward served in nearly every one of the different town offices.