In 1843, Z. T. Fisher, a one-armed man, and a native of Delaware County, Ohio, where he had read law and been admitted to practice, came to London. He was here married to Jemima Jones. daughter of Barney Jones. From 1847 to 1851, he was Prosecuting Attorney of Madison County, and represented the county in the Ohio General Assembly in 1852 and 1854 ; but soon after the latter date removed to Iowa, where he continued the practice of his profession.80

1850 Census London, Madision County Ohio Zellottt T. Fisher (32), Jemima (24) and two children, William S. (3) and Antoinette L. (1)

1860 Census Oskaloosa, Mahaska County Iowa, Z. T. (42), Joanna (Jemima) (33) and five children, William (13), Annette (12), Timothy (9), Fannie (3), and Sarah (1)

1870 Census Mahaska County, Iowa has Z.T (50) Lawyer born in Ohio, Jemima (43) and five children, Fanny M (13), Sada (11), Beven (9), George W (8) and Lewis B (4)

Obit - January 5, 1898
Hon. Z. F. Fisher, who represented this (Madison) county in the Ohio State Legislature in 1852-1854 died a few weeks ago at his home in Red Oak, Iowa, ages 79 years. The deceased was married to Jemima Jones in London, in 1844, who survives him with their 10 children. He served as Mayor of Red Oak and was also a member of the Iowa Legislature.114

DIED AT SEVENTY-NINE
Hon, Z. T. Fishes passes away after brief illness.
Hon. Zelotes T. Fisher Sr. for over 26 years a resident of Red Oak died at his home after a brief illness. Mr. Fisher was confined to his bed for two or three days and never realized the serious nature of his illness. The Saturday before his death he was out of doors nearly all day looking after some horses and in the evening when he came home told his family that he felt very much chilled. The next day he had a fainting spell while doing some chores in the barn, but he kept moving about looking after his horses as usual. The next day or two he had several more fainting spells which caused his family much alarm. At the earnest advice of his physician, Mr. Fisher consented to go to bed to secure the needed rest and quiet which his trouble demanded, although he insisted that he was not feeling especially bad. On Friday morning he grew very weak and by noon had lapsed into unconsciousness, passing away between 1 and 2 o'clock.
Mr. Fisher was born on a farm in Delaware County, Ohio Dec 13 1818, getting his education in one of the old log houses of that day. At the age of sixteen he quit the farm and learned the copper trade. In 1837 he met with an accident by which he lost his right arm, it being caused by the premature discharge of a cannon while attending muster day exercises at Worthington Ohio. After this he studied medicine for nearly two years, but feeling that he would be handicapped by his misfortune in the practice of the medical profession he began the study of law, was admitted to the bar at Mt. Vernon, Ohio in September 1842 and then located in London, Ohio. His practice brought him contact with Justice Swayne who was afterward on the U.S. Supreme Bench and ex-governor Dennison of Ohio. In 1852 just after the adoption of the new constitution, he was elected as a representative from Madison County to the Ohio Legislature serving two terms.In 1855 Mr. Fisher came to Iowa, locating in Oskaloosa, where he practiced law, devoting his spare time to the rearing of livestock, his inclination in the latter direction being so marked that in 1858 he became one of the founders of the state board of agriculture and was its first vice-president and the next year was chosen as its president. When the Iowa Central Railway was projected and while being built from Mason City to Albia, he was its secretary, being the first secretary elected by that corporation.
In 1871 Mr. Fisher moved to Red Oak entering upon the practice of law, and in 1872 was elected the mayor of Red Oak, holding the office for two years. For a number of years he was a member of the Red Oak board of Education and for a long time its president. He was also president of the Red Oak cemetery association from its organization until his death.
About Oct. 1, 1872 he went into partnership with W. F. Eastman who came from Mt. Sterling, Ill. Mr. Fisher, in May buying half interest in the publication of the Red Oak Express, which B.E.A. Symonds still owned up to that time. He continued in the newspaper business for little more than a year when he and Mr. Eastman sold out to Joel Mayne.
In 1879 Mr. Fisher was elected to represent Montgomery County in the State Legislature, during which time he served on the committees on Judiciary, on Federal relations on deaf and dumb asylum, and was chairman of the board of public charities. While in the legislature he introduced several important bills, among them being one to abolish the office of shorthand reporter for district and circuit courts, a bill to repeal the law regarding "innocent purchasers" of notes fraudulently obtained, a bill to change the law regarding attorney fee clauses in notes, and a bill to give all Iowa soldiers a state badge, etc.
Mr. Fisher was married in London, Ohio in 1844 to Miss Jemima Jones, who still survives him, 10 children being born to them. Of those still living there are Z. T. Fisher Jr., Dr. G.E. Fisher, L. B. Fisher and Mrs. George Martin of Red Oak: Mrs. W. E. Pattison of Victor, CO. and B. W. Fisher of Stanton, all of whom were present at the funeral, as were S.B. Fisher, a brother and Jane Barnes [Barron] a sister, residents of Centerville.
Mr. Fisher has been a member of the Masonic fraternity of nearly 55 years, the local lodge with which he had affiliated, passing suitable resolutions at a meeting held Saturday preparatory to attending the funeral which took place Sunday afternoon. Rev. W.W. Merritt, as chaplain of Red Oak Lodge, with the master of wardens, conducted services at the home and at the grave. A quartet of voices composed of O.P. Worsley, O.F. Remmers, E.C. Mirgee and A. Lundeen, furnishing special music. The pallbearers were M. Chandler, Z.M.P. Shank, W.A. Harding, Chas. Bolt, Jacob Stover, W. T. Figg, J.D. Bryan ; and Gideon Blackstone.
Although Mr. Fisher had obtained the age when men are usually no longer active in public affairs, the passing of so conspicuous a figure from the community cannot but create a vacancy which will be noticed and felt. He was a man of studious habits and consequently well informed on any subject. This with his companionable nature made it a pleasure to meet him.
This feeling of kindly sympathy for the bereaved family and relatives is general and sincere. (source: Obituary for Zelotes Timothy Fisher in the Red Oak Red Red Oak Express, Red Oak, Iowa, Friday, 17 December 1897