Background
Zeilin was born on July 16, 1806 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Jacob Zeilin, a tavern keeper.
General military officer commander
Zeilin was born on July 16, 1806 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Jacob Zeilin, a tavern keeper.
Nothing is known of Zeilin's youth previous to his admission to the United States Military Academy at West Point as a cadet on July 1, 1822. He remained here several years, but was not graduated.
On October 1, 1831, Zeilin entered the marine corps as a second lieutenant. After a preliminary training at the marine barracks in Philadelphia and Charlestown, Massachussets, he joined the sloop Erie, stationed on the coast of Brazil, 1835-1837. He was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant, from September 12, 1836. From 1838 to 1842 he was again at the marine barracks in Charlestown. From 1843 to 1845 he was with the frigate Columbia, at first on the coast of Brazil and later in the Mediterranean. During the Mexican War he was attached to the frigate Congress of the Pacific Squadron and participated in several landing expeditions in California and Mexico. For gallantry in action at the San Gabriel River in California, he was brevetted major from January 9, 1847. He was promoted captain from September 14 of that year. After the Congress returned home by way of the East Indies he remained on shore for four years. In 1853-1854 he served as fleet marine officer of the East India Squadron under Matthew C. Perry, first on board the Mississippi and later on board the Susquehanna. The marines of the squadron were organized into a battalion with Zeilin in command, and they participated in the memorable events leading to the opening of Japan. In 1859 Zeilin was in the Mediterranean with the Wabash, and was later stationed at the marine barracks at Norfolk, Philadelphia, and Washington, D. C. In the first battle of Bull Run he commanded one of the four companies of marines that cooperated with the army and was wounded in the battle. In August 1863, with a company of marines, he joined Admiral John A. B. Dahlgren, off Charleston, South Carolina, and participated in the engagements against the defenses of that city. Returning to the North on sick leave, he was stationed at the marine barracks at New York until ordered to Washington as commandant of the marine corps, with the rank of colonel from June 10, 1864. On March 2, 1867, he was given the rank of brigadier-general, the first officer to attain that grade. He served as commandant until he was retired on November 1, 1876. After a long period of ill health, he died of cirrhosis of the liver contracted in the East Indies.
Member of the Pennsylvania Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States
Zeilin married Virginia (Freeman) Zeilin at Norfolk, Virginia, on October 23, 1845, and two daughters.