Charles Zimmerling (1897-1987), was the son of Karl R. Zimmerling and Emma Schwartz. He worked as logger, builder of logging camps, installer of telephone polls and wires; he also worked for Fred Schwartz at Gillies Bros. and later for John Strange at Fraser’s Crow and Gordon’s Lumber Co. at River Valley. During World War I (1914-1918), he remained in Canada and cleaned out bushes along roads, built roads, worked on farms, and in lumber camps. In 1918, he married Ellen and recounts how hard she worked to keep the house beautiful; in 1945, they moved to Bristol. They eventually owned a farm. Later, this farm was auctioned off and both retired to Shawville. Ellen died in 1986.
Acquisition Source
Donated by Diane Shaw, Emergency Preparedness Canada, via Helen Golding, curator of Arnprior and District Museum, in August 1996.
Scope and Content
A personal account of Charles Zimmerling's life in the Ottawa Valley. Recollections of activities in Shawville, Haley’s Station, Rody Point, Campbell’s Bay, Logan’s Meadow, Kazzabassa Station, and River Valley. Some of the names that he mentions in this account of his life include the following: Gustave Yach, Hugo Yach, Charlie Yach, Fred Krutz, Fred Bretzlaff, Fred McCan, Fred Pasche, Frank Stubin, Arthur Wall, Dodds, and Nola Zacharias.