Friedrich Zerr

          Friedrich Zerr received his education in Grossliebental and Odessa, Odessa Russia.**  He came to America in 1914, planning to study English and then to return home.  The Bolshevik Revolution destroyed hopes of rejoining his family.  He worked on a farm near Yankton, SD until 1916 and then became an orderly at  Bismarck Hospital,  In 1917 he studied at Eureka, SD College and then enlisted in the U.S. Army.  He served at Camp Funston, KS as a language interpreter.  After his discharge he worked on farm near Artas, SD and taught a rural school there for 4 years.  He started working for William Jahraus in his general store in Artas in 1927 and 2 years later bought half interest in the store.  In 1933 Mr. Zerr traded this interest for the Napoleon Hardware and moved here.  The store was sold to Muzz Heisler in 1941.  Mr. Zerr was a stockholder in the Stock Growers Bank for a number of years before selling his interests in 1964.  He purchased the Bank of Hazelton in 1960 and was elected president.  At the time of his death he was chairman of the board.  In addition to his business interests, Mr. Zerr was a lifelong farmer.  He had also served as village trustee and was city mayor in 1949.  He was a life member of the American legion and a member of Trinity Lutheran Church.  Mr Zerr is buried in Napoleon City Cemetery.                                                                          Napoleon Cent 1884-1984 page 284

**Now Ukraine

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