Johann Frederick Gustavus Zehnder was born in the Swiss Canton of Aargau. At age 18, according to family lore, he immigrated to the United States.

He married a Swiss, Margaretha Hoesli, from Canton Glarus and they had six children here in America. One of which changed the family name to Sanders.

He first enlisted in the 7^th PA Volunteers Regiment and served three months. Then he enlisted into the 74^th. When discharged from the regiment, he had been promoted to the rank of Corporal and received the sum of $6.34 to return to Pittsburgh, PA