IAGenWeb Project - Allamakee co.

Louis Hirth

 

No farmer in Allamakee county has achieved greater success in agricultural pursuits and stock-raising than Louis Hirth, now operating the farm in Lansing township upon which he was born. A spirit of enterprise and progress actuates him in all that he does and his well directed energies have brought him to a place among the well-to-do and substantial men of this community. He was born on the farm where he now resides January 24, 1858, and is a son of Adam and Margaret Hirth, natives of Germany. The father was born in Baden and in 1853 came to America, settling on a farm on section 18, Lansing township, in that year. One of the first settlers in that section, he found pioneer conditions everywhere surrounding him but, undiscouraged by this, turned his attention with characteristic energy to improving and developing his property. Upon the three hundred and twenty acres which he bought he built a log cabin, later replacing this by a second and more commodious log house. As the years went by he prospered in his undertakings and upon his death in 1864 was considered one of the most substantial and successful farmers of this vicinity. He was a member of the German Methodist church and a republican in his political beliefs. He and his wife became the parents of six children: Mary, who married Adam Decker, of Lansing township; Adam, who lives in Dubuque, Iowa; Barbara, who married William Wendell, of Lansing township; Annie, a resident of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, and the widow of William May, who was killed in a snow slide; Louis, of this review; and Andrew, who makes his home in Lansing.

In the district schools of Lansing township Louis Hirth acquired his early education, later attending for one term a school at Galena, Illinois. His childhood was spent upon the homestead and even before he laid aside his books he assisted with its operation, later giving his entire time to aiding his mother. When he was twenty-one years of age he and one of his brothers purchased the interests of the other heirs and for several years thereafter conducted the homestead. Eventually Mr. Hirth of this review disposed of his share of the farm to his brother and went to Hanover township, where he purchased land. After farming successfully in that section for ten years he returned to the old three hundred and twenty acres, which has been in possession of his family for sixty years. Upon this he has made substantial improvement, building a new and attractive residence, a barn and a silo and all the necessary outbuildings. Since the beginning of his active career he has engaged extensively in the breeding of high-grade Percheron horses and keeps registered stallions and mares. He also raises full-blooded Polan China hogs and Aberdeen Angus cattle, his stock-raising interests constituting an important source of his income.

On the 27th of February, 1889, Mr. Hirth was united in marriage to Miss Emma Wild, a native of Allamakee county and a daughter of George Wild, of French Creek township. Mrs. Hirth passed away December 19, 1911, leaving six children: Frank, who lives at home; Cora, who recently married Ed Lentz, with whom she makes her home in Minnesota; and Nora, Flavia, Christina and Kermit, all of whom live at home.

Mr. Hirth is a progressive republican in his political views and is interested in public affairs, keeping himself always well posted on national and local issues. He is active and able in business, progressive in citizenship and upright and honorable in all relations of life--a native son whose life record is a credit to the community in which he was born.

-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich

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