LINDSEY ZOLLARS.  Among the worthy citizens of Logan county who responded to their country's call for aid during the dark days of the Rebellion was the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch.  With exception of one year spent in Tazewell county and three in the service of his country, he has been a resident of this county since 1854, and is now successfully engaged in farming on section 25, East Lincoln township.
     Mr. Zollars was born in Harrison county, Ohio, on the 3d of April, 1843, and is a son of Stephen and Temperance (Spindler) Zollars, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania respectively.  Both came from a long-lived race, and were of German descent.  Our subject's paternal great-grandfather, David Zollars, was the first of the family to come to America.  He fought under General Washington in the Revolutionary war, and on account of his nationality was sent among the Hessians to treat with them.  On first coming to Illinois, Stephens Zollars, the father of our subject, spent a short time in McLean county, and in 1854 took up his residence in Logan county, where he made his home until death.  He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of partially improved land in Atlanta township, and to its further development and cultivation devoted his attention until 1868, when he removed to East Lincoln township and improved a farm there, making it his home until called to his final rest, in 1887, at the age of seventy-six years.  His wife, who was born in 1812, died in December, 1893, at the age of eighty-one.  They were well-educated people and became quite well-to-do.  In politics the father was a strong Republican, and held local offices in his township.
     Unto this worthy couple were born five children, but the only daughter died in infancy.  The sons all grew to manhood, and are as follows:  Damascus served three years in the Civil war as a member of Company F, One Hundred and Sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry.  After residing in Logan county for many years he removed to South Dakota in 1881, and there died in 1897.  John C. owns and operates a well-improved farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Oran township, this county.  Wesley was also one of the boys in blue during the Civil are, serving three years as a member of Company F, Thirty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry.  He made his home in Logan county until 1877, when he went to the Pacific coast, and is now in the National Soldier's Home at Seattle, Washington.  Lindsey completes the family.
     The subject of this sketch was a lad of eleven years when the family came to Logan county, and his education was principally acquired in its district schools.  He remained at home, aiding his father in the work of the farm, until August, 1862, when he enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel R. B. Latham, of Lincoln, and remained in the service until the close of the war.  During the battle of Marks Mills, Arkansas, he was taken prisoner and confined in Tyler prison, Texas, for a year, being released on the cessation of hostilities.
     Mr. Zollars then returned home and took charge of the farm, as his father was getting old, and he remained with his parents as long as they lived.  After the death of the father he purchased the interests of the other heirs in the home place, and now has two hundred and sixty acres of valuable farm land under a high state of cultivation.  One hundred and sixty-five acres of this is in Oran township, where he makes his home.  He has met with good success in his farming operations.
     In 1872 Mr. Zollars married Miss Lucy Dunham, who was born in Ohio in 1851, but was reared and educated in Logan county, Illinois.  By this union were born two sons, namely: Charles F., who was killed in a runaway accident while attending Lincoln University, at the age of seventeen years; and Frederick S., who was born in 1879, and is now in North Dakota.  The wife and mother died at her home in East Lincoln township in 1881, and in November, 1887, Mr. Zollars was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Ella J. Wodetzki, nee McCue, widow of John Wodetzski.  She was educated in Sangamon county, this state, and taught school in Logan county for over seven years.  Five children blessed the second marriage of our subject, but one died in infancy.  Those living are Mabel C., Donald P., George D. and Edward L.
     Religiously Mr. Zollars is an active member of the Christian church of Lincoln, and is now serving as one of its trustees.
     He is also a member of Leo W. Myers Post, No. 182, G. A. R., of that place, while his son, Fred S., is lieutenant in the Sons of Veterans Camp.  The Republican party has always found in Mr. Zollars a stanch supporter of its principles, and he has capably filled the offices of school trustee and director.  Progressive and public spirited, he takes a deep and commendable interest in public affairs, and gives his support to all measures which he believes will advance the moral, educational or material welfare of his township and county, and is justly regarded as one of the most valued citizens of the community in which he lives.
~ Page 377 - Biographical Record of Logan Co., Illinois, publ. Chicago - The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. - 1901