Wednesday, November 30, 2016

John Adam Zaun, German Immigrant

John Adam Zaun was born on September 12, 1840, in Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. He is my 2X great grandfather in my direct paternal line.

Image result for mainz germany map
At age 27, "Adam" left Germany, likely to avoid being drafted in the Prussian Army. He immigrated to America in 1867. Peter and Barbara Wellner and their daughter Elizabeth arrived at or about the same time, maybe even on the same ship. 

"Adam Soun" married Elizabeth Wellner on October 25, 1868, in Dumbarton, Virginia. They became naturalized citizens in 1873 (per 1930 Census). Adam and Elizabeth had four children: Louise Sophie in 1876, John Adam in 1879, Henry Phillip in 1884, and Charlie Wellner in 1886.

There are some inconsistencies. On their marriage certificate, Adam's parents are named as George and Elizabeth Soun in the "same household." There is no mention of his parents on any other document, no other indication that they immigrated to America. On the marriage record, Adam's birth year is given as 1844, which is inconsistent with other records. On Elizabeth's death certificate, her son John Adam, gave her middle initial as "B." He did not know who her parents were.

According to the Richmond City Directory, Adam and Elizabeth lived at 1116 W. Main Street in 1874. Adam's occupation was "paver." Later, his occupation, according to sources, was "farming" on a "Truck Farm." By 1900 they were living on Staples Mills Road. Their son Henry lived with them; their daughter Louise Duckhardt lived next door. According to the 1920 census, Adam, Elizabeth, and Henry lived and worked on a "home farm" on Hungary Road, which today runs parallel to E. Parham between interstate highways 95 and 64.

John Adam Zaun died of heart problems at age 82 on December 26, 1922, at his home in Dumbarton, Virginia. He was buried in Bethlehem Baptist Church Cemetery on Penick Road. 


J Adam Zaunn

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1 comment:

  1. Have you been able to find further information on this family?

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