ALBERT J. ZINK, one of the leading business men and farmers of Hymera, was born and has spent his entire life in Sullivan, his birth occurring in Jackson township on the 27th of October, 1855, a son of Michael and Clarissa (Hubanks) Zink, natives respectively of Washington county, Indiana, and of Maysville, Kentucky. The father, who was a life-long farmer, came to Jackson township with his father when only thirteen years old, and at the time of his death in 1888 he owned a beautiful estate of two hundred and eighty acres, the accumulation of his own personal efforts and industry. The mother died in the year of 1892.
Albert J. Zink received his educational training in the district schools of Jackson township, and at the age of twenty he began his life work as a renter, renting of his father and also conducting his estate until the latter's death. His first purchase of land was a tract of forty acres in 1882, and by adding to this from time to time he became the owner of one hundred and twenty acres, but in 1908 he sold this farm to the coal company and a short time afterward bought eighty acres which he now conducts. He also owns a fine business block in the town of Hymera, and is connected with the leading general store and meat market there, in which they carry a seven thousand dollar stock. Some years ago Mr. Zink made a specialty of the raising of wheat, and is now also quite extensively engaged in small farming and hay growing, which he uses as feed for his horses. His interests are extensive and varied, and his efforts are being substantially rewarded.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Zink occurred in March of 1876, and she bore the maiden name of Mary B. Hughes and was born in Virginia, as also her parents, Henry M. and Harriett (Thayer) Hughes. They came to Sullivan county during the war and located near Shelburn, where he followed blacksmithing for many years, but later bought and operated a farm for a few years, and then selling his land here returned to Virginia. But in a few years he came again to Sullivan county, where he died at Hymera in 1898 and the mother one year later. The daughter received her education in the schools of Shelburn. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Zink, namely: Clara, the wife of J. J. Branson, of Hymera: Blanch, deceased; Maud, the wife of J. L. Pipher, also of Hymera; and Herbert, Herschel, Cora Castella and Gladys, at home. Mr. Zink is a Democrat in politics, and is a member of the Methodist church.