William Zimmerman, son of Gerard Zimmerman and Elizabeth Krug, was born August 28 1834 in Prussia. He married Mary Hoffman February 1 1876. William died March 4 1890 in the Town of Edson, Chippewa County, Wisconsin after 55 years, 6 months and 3 days of life.1 The cause of death was Felo de se. William was inflicted with St. Vitus' Dance (sydenham's chorea). After several failed attempts, he took his own life by slashing his throat with a butcher knife. His tragic death was reported in the Friday, March 7, 1890 edition of the Chippewa Herald. It is said that William was laid to rest in the Edson Union Cemetery, Chippewa County, Wisconsin. However, no grave or record of his burial in said place could be found.
In 1870, William was working as a carpenter in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.2