Person:John Marzolf (1)

Mr. Marzolf was born February 23, 1871, at Gottesheim, Alsace Loraine. He was the oldest of eight children born to John and Maria Diemer Marzolf. At the age of eight months he left France with his parents for a new home in America. They came to Nauvoo where he remained the duration of his life. He attended the Nauvoo public schools and the Lutheran catechetical school where he was confirmed April 6, 1881. He had been baptized when an infant before coming to this country.

He was united in marriage to Susan Koehler on April 10, 1901. To this union five children were born. Two preceded their father in death, Raymond John, at the age of 6, and Fern Elizabeth, who passed away in 1930 at the age of 21. The three living are Mason Richard of Redlands, Calif.; Walter Linton of Nauvoo, and Virginia Katherine

Throughout his life he was active in the field of agriculture and horticulture. He was particularly fond of fruit growing and had grafted 21 varieties of grapes of which he was extremely proud. He was vice president of the Fruit Growers and Shippers Union of Nauvoo. He was also prominently engaged in bee-keeping. He took an interest in education and learning and was for a number of years a member of the board of education. He also played in the Nauvoo Union band and for years was a member of community orchestras. John Marzolf, Jr. was on the school board. He was a highly esteemed citizen.