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
Return to 1913 biographies index