Charles X. Zimmerman

Charles X. Zimmerman (January 18, 1865 – November 14, 1926) was an American Brigadier General during World War I,[1] businessman and politician.[2] He was also the vice president of the first American Football League, as well as the owner of the league's Cleveland Panthers.[3]

Charles X. Zimmerman
From 1926's The Thirty-Seventh Division in the World War, 1917-1918
Born(1865-01-18)January 18, 1865
Cleveland, Ohio
DiedNovember 14, 1926(1926-11-14) (aged 61)
New York, New York
Buried
Knollwood Cemetery,
Mayfield Heights, Ohio
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Ohio National Guard
Years of service1884–1918
Rank Brigadier General
Commands held73rd Infantry Brigade
Battles/warsSpanish–American War
World War I
Other workMayor of Euclid, Ohio (1921)
Vice President of the American Football League (1926)
Owner of the Cleveland Panthers (1926)

Biography

Military career

On May 8, 1884, Zimmerman enlisted in the Fifth Ohio Infantry. He commanded Company F, Fifth Ohio Infantry during the Spanish–American War. He served in the Ohio National Guard and was promoted to brigadier general (NA) on August 5, 1917. Zimmerman was commanding general of the 73rd Infantry Brigade, part of the 37th Infantry Division; he was discharged on February 5, 1919. He served at Camp Sheridan, Alabama, Camp Lee, and Camp Beauregarde, Louisiana. During the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, he served in the defensive sector along with the AEF.[4]

Cleveland Panthers

In 1946, Zimmerman's "Panthers" moniker was ranked second in a contest sponsored by the Cleveland Plain Dealer for fans to name Cleveland's new All-America Football Conference franchise. Coach Paul Brown did not want the new team named after him, so he looked into naming the club the Panthers.[5] However the team's secretary, George T. Jones, reportedly demanded too much money and the team was instead named the Cleveland Browns.[6]

Personal life

Zimmerman married twice in his life, first to Anna Hill- who died in December 1897- and then to Ethel Vogt on June 5, 1900.[7] He died unexpectedly in New York City on November 14, 1926. He was buried at Knollwood Cemetery in Mayfield Heights, Ohio.[8]

References
  1. Davis Jr, Henry Blaine (1998). Generals in Khaki. Raleigh, North Carolina: Pentland Press. p. 396. ISBN 1-57197-088-6. OCLC 624759536.
  2. "Charles X. Zimmerman". Encyclopedia of Cleveland History. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
  3. "A.F.L. Fields Nine Teams", The New York Times, July 17, 1926
  4. Davis Jr, Henry Blaine (1998). Generals in Khaki. Raleigh, North Carolina: Pentland Press. p. 396. ISBN 1-57197-088-6. OCLC 624759536..
  5. "Were the Cleveland Browns named after boxer Joe Louis?". Los Angeles Times. December 7, 2011.
  6. "Cleveland Panthers". Encyclopedia of Cleveland. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
  7. Davis Jr, 1998, p.396.
  8. "Zimmerman, Charles X." The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History. July 10, 1997. Retrieved March 19, 2017.
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