David Ziegler

David Ziegler (July 13, 1748 – September 24, 1811) was a German immigrant to the United States who served in the U.S. military and became the first mayor of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Early life and career Johann David Ziegler was born in Heidelberg, Germany. Little is known of his early life. He became a soldier, and was said to have been a subordinate officer under Frederick the Great. The Zieglers did not have any children.

In 1790 Ziegler was a part of Harmar's campaign against the Native American confederacy in Ohio, which ended in defeat and retreat to Fort Washington. Ziegler was a witness at Harmar's court of inquiry: he supported his commander and blamed the debacle on undisciplined militia, inadequate supplies, and poor logistics.

Commissioned a major in the First American Regiment on October 22, 1790, the next year Ziegler served as second-in-command under Major Jean François Hamtramck, and defending the baggage train for General Arthur St. Clair in another expedition into the Northwest Territory. St. Clair met with even more disastrous results than Harmar at St. Clair's Defeat. Ziegler performed well, covering the retreat of the fleeing Americans. Ziegler was placed in command of the western forces when St. Clair was recalled for a court of inquiry. Once again Ziegler was called to testify, and again he supported his commander. Disturbed by disputes and jealousy in the officer corps, he resigned from the army on March 5, 1792.

Cincinnati Ziegler settled near Cincinnati, trying his hand at farming before opening a general store in the town. In December 1799, after hearing the news of the death of President Washington, Ziegler was a pallbearer in a mock funeral held for Washington, one of many such ceremonies performed around the country.

After the rapidly growing settlement of Cincinnati was incorporated as a village in 1802, Ziegler was elected as mayor, then known as "President of the Council". He was unanimously reelected for a second term in 1803, but declined to run again in 1804. He was thereafter elected as commander of the local militia and held other public offices, including serving in 1807 as the adjutant general of the Ohio Militia.

He was a wealthy man when he died in 1811. He was buried in Cincinnati. As the city grew, in 1844 his remains were transferred to another cemetery in the city. Several years later his remains were moved once again to lie with his wife in Woodland Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio. Cincinnati's Ziegler Park, at Sycamore Street between 13th and 14th Streets, was named for him by Over-the-Rhine Germans.

Historian James H. O'Donnell wrote:

Ziegler was one of those absolutely dependable soldiers and public servants to whom the new country owed a great debt. Throughout his career, he had fulfilled responsibility in the most exemplary manner. Whether escorting ammunition to General Washington, carrying a flag of truce to enemy lines, guarding Native American diplomats, or standing fast in the face of enemy fire amid hysterical militia in retreat, Ziegler was ever the calm, loyal professional.

Dates of rank 3rd Lieutenant and adjutant, Thompson's Pennsylvania Rifle Battalion - 25 June 1775 2nd Lieutenant, 1st Continental Infantry - 1 January 1776 1st Lieutenant, 1st Pennsylvania Regiment - 16 January 1777 Captain, 1st Pennsylvania Regiment - 8 December 1778 Retired - 1 January 1783 Captain, United States Infantry Regiment - 12 August 1784 Major, 1st Infantry Regiment - 22 October 1790 Resigned - 5 March 1792