Personnel Of The Texas State Government 1887
George Bernhard Zimpelman

In Rhine Bavaria, on the twenty-fourth of July, 1832, the respected citizen of Austin, of whom this is a brief sketch, George B. Zimpelman, was born. He received his education at the Agricultural and Latin School of Landau, in Europe. He came to America in 1844, landing at New Orleans, thence to Galveston, where he stayed a little more than two years, making short sojourns in New Orleans in the meantime. In 1849, he moved to Travis county, where he has remained ever since, being a citizen of Austin the most of the time.

In the beginning of the war between the States, he entered the army as a private soldier, and returned at the close of the great rebellion as such, in the meantime doing service with the rank of captain. He entered public life in the capacity of sheriff of Travis county, in 1866, and was successively re-elected for three subsequent terms, ending with the year 1876. He was a victim to the Governor Davis administration, and was deposed from office.

Under Governor Coke, he was appointed one of the trustees of the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb; by Governor Hubbard, he was appointed quartermaster of the State militia, and by Governor Ross, aid-de-camp. Governor Hubbard gave him the appointment of a mission to Washington to collect the funds for the protection of the frontier. This latter appointment, however, he declined to accept.

He entered America a poor boy, receiving only four to five dollars per month for labor. Before the war, he engaged in farming and stock-raising; after the war was over, he resumed farming and stock-raising, and engaged in brick-making; and in 1871 he went into the banking business, but withdrew at the end of five years. He is now, and has been for several years, engaged in surveying in Mexico. He has a strong force there, filling a contract with the government of that country.

In 1856, George B. Zimpelman and Miss Sarah C. Matthews, of Travis county, Texas, were united in marriage. Mrs. Zimpelman died on the thirteenth of November, 1885. Four living children constitute the household.

Mr. Zimpelman has been a worthy and trusted citizen, has a kind and generous nature, and has accumulated a competency for declining years. He is a noble specimen of Teutonic birth, and has fairly won the good name he bears. He weighs one hundred and ninety pounds, and is five feet eight inches in stature.

Daniell, L. E. Personnel Of The Texas State Government 1887. Published by Press of the City Printing Company, Austin, Texas 1887. Page 298-299.