Jacob Zollinger

Jacob Zollinger, born 3 July 1845 – 11 July 1942, lived and experienced more of the progress of Providence Cache County than did any other of the pioneers of the community, living there continuously for 80 years, lacking only four months. He left Switzerland late in November 1862 at age 17 years and died in Logan, Utah at age 97 plus eight days.

Jacob was baptized with his family 1 May 1862 in Zurich, and left with his father’s family later that day. Because the other members of his family were ill with mountain fever, Jacob drove three yokes of oxen across the plains.

Jacob married Rosetta Loosli in the Endowment House in SaltLake 9 May 1870. Rosetta was the daughter of Ulrich Loosli and Magalena Aeschimann who was also born in Switzerland 16 June 1851. Her family also came to Utah, 1860, after she was baptized 21 October 1860.

Rosetta was a hard worker, spinning and weaving, sewing clothes for her family. She kept a beautiful flower garden as well as a bountiful vegetable garden. She was a tireless worker in the church as well as maintaining an orderly home for their 12 children.

Jacob was known as a hard worker as well. His labor was not only in working with the soil as a successful farmer, but those efforts extended in helping to build meeting houses, tabernacles, temples, schoolhouses, irrigation canals and roads. He assisted in building the road beds for the Central and the Union Pacific railroads. In his retired years he continues his daily activities in genealogy and extending his line and the lines of his two wives. His daily morning routine found him trodding up the temple hill to perform ordinances. His vehement desire never ceased to continue his responsibilities to those beyond the veil.

Jacob and Rosetta’s family consisted of 13 children: Jacob, John, William, Joseph, Henry, Aaron, Oliver, Lawrence, Mary, Rose, Anna, Evelyn, and Geneva. Seven sons and one daughter besides their father fulfilled full-time missions for the church. As the old saying goes, ” he is a chip off the old block.” The life of Henry mirrors his great and illustrious parentage.