Born in Damerau, West Prussia, Ziehm studied jurisprudence and judicial Intern in Strasbourg and Marienweder from 1905 to 1914.

After graduating from high school in 1887, Ziehm began studying law and political science at the Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen.

After giving up his judicial office, he joined the Danzig DNVP in 1920 and participated in the Volkstag, and until 1925, he was the Deputy Senate President (Head of Government).

He was instrumental in the preparation of the Constitution guaranteed by the League of Nations for the Free City of Danzig.

When the Senate President Heinrich Sahm could no longer form a new coalition, Ziehm took over his position in 1931.

The Ziehm Senate, a coalition cabinet split between the German Center Party and the DNVP, was tolerated in the Volkstag by the NSDAP.