William B. Zinn

William B. Zinn (December 6, 1795 – February 20, 1875) was a nineteenth-century farmer, mill-owner, militia leader and politician, who ultimately freed his slaves and became one of the founders of the State of West Virginia.

Early life

Born on December 6, 1795, in what was then called Gladeville, in Preston County, Virginia (but which became Kingwood, West Virginia, during his lifetime), William Zinn was born to Jacob Zinn (1773–1857) whose father had emigrated from Germany, and his second wife, Sarah "Sallie" (Byrne) Bland, the widow of Thomas Bland. He had three older half-brothers, and two younger brothers: Charles B. Zinn (1797–1863) and Peyton Zinn (1807–1860) and sisters Clara and Permelia Zinn Brown (1804–1886). He married at least twice. From his first wife ___Franklin, he inherited slaves and about $8000 in gold and other property when her parents died.^[1] His second wife was Juliet Caroline Franklin Zinn.

Career

Zinn farmed and operated a mill in Preston County, which the

After the war he served in the West Virginia House of Delegates for a term beginning in 1866 and then was elected to the state Senate and served until 1869.^[9] In 1870, Zinn and his wife Julie lived in Rowlesburg, a lumber and mill town that was the second largest in the county, along with two young men who worked on his farm.

Death

Zinn died in Preston County on February 20, 1875, and is buried in the family cemetery in Arthurdale, West Virginia.

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