Located just west of New Ulm in Brown County, Milford Township was populated by mostly German immigrants. It was attacked on August 18, 1862. More than 50 Milford Township residents were killed, making it one of the hardest-hit communities during the war. In 1862
Maximilian and Lucretia Zeller were living in Milford Township with their six children: John, Monika, Barbara, Caezilia, Conrad, and John Martin. During the August 18 attack, the entire Zeller family, with the exception of 14-year-old John, was killed. Following the war John moved to Columbus, Ohio, where he died in 1867.
"John Zeller, aged 19 yrs, committed suicide last Friday. He was of German parentage and had been working for George Ferguson since last August. His father having emigrated to this country ten years ago and settled in Minnesota. At the terrible massacre of settlers by the Indians of that state at New Uhlm (sic), about 5 yrs ago, young Zeller’s parents and 5 of his brothers and sisters were killed by the Indians. He alone of the family escaped." -Delaware Gazette, April 19, 1867
Theme:
Topics:
Glossary Terms: