ALBERT ZELT. Jacob Zelt was a native of Bremen, Germany, where the family were engaged in agricultural pursuits. But after many years of faithful toil in the land of his birth, the father at last came to the conclusion that success could be more easily won in newer fields, where there was less competition and more freedom. No sooner was this decision made than his eyes turned to that Mecca of all oppressed children of the world America and in 1838 he emigrated to this the "Land of promise." The long and perilous journey was made in a sailing vessel, and, did space permit, we might tell of weeks of danger and suspense, ere the travelers arrived in safety at their destination. Jacob Zelt was then a boy of eighteen, and soon after the arrival of the family in America he went to Virginia, where he was employed upon the public works for some time, and then came to Pittsburgh, Penn. After a year's residence there, he removed with his family to Washington county, Penn., where he passed the remainder of his life. In 1842, in Pittsburgh, Penn., he was married to Mary Bartz, and this union was blessed with the following children: William, John, Jacob, Lewis, Adam, Frank, Henry, Albert, Mary (Mrs. William Hartman) and Ella (Mrs. Douglas McMurray). Politically, Mr. Zelt was a Democrat, and an active worker in his party. He was a member of the Lutheran Church, giving it a liberal financial support. Beginning life for himself when a mere boy, with neither friends nor money and a stranger in a foreign land, Mr. Zelt was in every sense of the term a self-made man, and his success in business, achieved as it was in the face of so many obstacles, should serve as a strong incentive to all struggling young men. Mr. Zelt passed from the scene of his labors May 10, 1882, to join the wife who had preceded him to the dark valley on February 15, 1879. Albert Zelt, the subject proper of this memoir, was born December 7, 1860, in Washington, this county, where he has passed his entire life, and received his education at the schools of the borough. On June 25, 1884, he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Lewis Fleming, of Allegheny county, Penn., and the children born to them are John, born in March, 1886; Mary, born in December, 1889, and Harry, born in May, 1891. Mr. Zelt has always been an enthusiastic advocate of Democratic principles. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He and his brother are the proprietors of a mill which they purchased in 1887, and since they have assumed the management of the property it has been much improved in many ways. The present owners employ all the latest improved machinery, and have doubled the capacity of the mill, which was found to be essential in order to supply their customers, as their work is famous for its excellent quality. They are an enterprising and progressive firm, and enjoy the confidence and respect of the entire community.

Text taken from page 1035 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed January 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published January 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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