BLOG: The Zeltner Brothers History
We learned about the Paul and John Zeltner Brothers from this True Crime story on The Murder Record (Podcast) over the past two weeks... but WHO were these brothers?
We have learned so much about the Zeltner Brother Murderers… but who were they before they committed such a cold-blooded crime?
John Zeltner
When Johann (JOHN) Heinrich Zelltner | Zeltner was born on July 4, 1866, in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, his father, Christian, was 45 and his mother, Louise, was 32.
His brother Paul Gottlieb Zelltner was born on March 17, 1868, in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, when Johann (JOHN) Heinrich was 1 year old.
Both brothers (Paul and John) left Baden-Wurttemberg Germany in 1890 and arrived in the U.S. in 1891 to start new lives.
Before coming to Ohio, Johann (JOHN) Heinrich Zelltner | Zeltner married 1 - Margaretha "Margaret" "Maggie" Morehardt on April 18, 1894, when he was 27 years old.
Maggie plays a huge role in the murder case, as she was barricaded in the farm house with her children, husband and his brother when the mob showed up in 1899. She was also granted the farm land and house when John was sent to prison.
On the 23rd of January 1895, when John was 28 years old, his son Herbert August was born in Hoytville, Ohio.
On the 10th of April 1896, his daughter Louisa Katherine was born on April 10, 1896, in Hoytville, Ohio.
And, finally, on the 10th of October 1898, when John was 32 years old, his final child, a son, Otto John was born.
In September of 1899, John was sentenced to twenty years in the penitentiary for Westenhaver murder.
He is found on the 1900 census, living in Columbus, Ohio as a PRISONER.
In 1913, I tracked down a record that John was released after completing his term and getting an allowance for good behavior.
John is living in Jackson Township, Wood County, Ohio in 1920, working as a farmer. He is with his wife, Margaret and son, Otto, and his brother, Paul is also living with the family.
By 1930, John is a widower at the age of 64, living in Jackson Township, Wood County, working his own farm and living with his brother, Paul, who is 62.
In 1931, Paul passes away at the age of 62.
In 1940, John is living in Jackson Township, Wood County, Ohio, farming, and housing a housekeeper, Mary Manning, a lodger, Walter Schlatter, and a Boarder, Richard England.
By 1950, John, who’s had quite the life, is 83 years old, living alone, as a farmer in Jackson Township, Wood County, Ohio on Route 68.
In 1955, John is found dead on the 18th of August in Jackson Township, Wood County, Ohio. He is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Deshler, Henry County, Ohio with the mother of his children, Margaret Morehardt (1868-1921).
Paul Zeltner
Paul Zeltner, brother of John, was born on March 17, 1868, in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, his father, Christian, was 46 and his mother, Louise, was 33.
He arrived in the United States in 1891 from Germany, with his brother John.
In September of 1899, Paul was sentenced to LIFE in the penitentiary for Westenhaver murder.
He is found on the 1900 census, living in Columbus, Ohio as a PRISONER.
Paul was pardoned by Governor Cox in December of 1913.
In 1916, at the age of 48, Paul lived in Hoytsville, Wood County according to The Farm Journal Rural Directory of Wood County.
Paul is living with his brother, John, and John’s wife, Margaret and his nephew, Otto in Jackson Township, Wood County, Ohio in 1920, working as a farmer.
By 1930, Paul is living with John, who is a widower, living in Jackson Township, Wood County, working on John’s farm and living.
In 1931, Paul passes away at the age of 62, April 23, 1931, in Hoytville, Ohio, and was buried in Custar, Ohio.
These men are my great great uncles. However many greats I can’t recall. I believe they were possibly my grandmother’s uncles. I’ve wanted to find out more about them, as stories were passed down through the family that may or may not be true. Something about land being stolen and the brother who actually did the murdering being released first because he had a family. Don’t know what’s right or wrong.