Samuel Wirtz

WIRTZ

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/10/2009 at 11:48:51

Samuel Wirtz, Switzerland, the land of the Alps, has furnished many worthy citizens to America. They are men of strong resolution, undaunted purpose and unflagging industry and are a valued acquisition of the industrial ranks of the new world. Samuel Wirtz comes from that little mountainous country and in America he has worked his way steadily upward to a position of affluence, so that he is now living a retired life, His birth occurred July 28, 1841, his parents begin Jacob and Rosalie (Zimbelmann) Wirtz, also natives of Switzerland. The father came to the new world in 1863 and made his way across the country to Boone county, Iowa, settling in Des Moines township. Here he spent his remaining days, passing away when nearly eighty years of age. His wife still survives him and is now residing on the old home place, having passed the eightieth mile stone on life’s journey. They were the parents of five sons and a daughter, who are yet living: Samuel, Edward, Gotlieb, Media, Daniel and Charles. They also lost six children.
Samuel Wirtz spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the land of the Alps and when twenty years of age crossed the broad Atlantic to the new world, believing that he might have better business opportunities and privileges in this country. Boone county was his destination and in 1862 he took up his abode here. In his native land he had learned the stone cutter’s trade and he also mastered the trade of silk weaving, following it for some time in his native country. After he arrived in America he learned the shoemaker’s trade, which he followed for three years and then turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, for with the capital that he had acquired through his own efforts he purchased 80 acres of land on Sec 2, Des Moines township> this he subsequently sold and bought his present farm in 1881. He owns 120 acres of rich and arable land on the home place and has made excellent improvements upon it, the buildings standing as monuments to his thrift and enterprise. His efforts return to him a good harvest and he makes a specialty of the raising of corn, oats and hay. He also keeps form twenty to thirty head of cattle, preferring the shorthorns. In both branches of his business he has been very successful and is now practically living retired. He expects soon to remove to Boone, where he will put aside all business cares and rest in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former labors. In addition to the home farm he also owns another tract of 160 acres in Beaver township. Which he now rents to his eldest son.
In 1871 Mr Wirtz was united in marriage to Caroline Hennan, who died in 1882. The following year he was again married, his second union being with Christina Gesein. She was also born in Switzerland. By the first marriage there was one child, while the children of the second marriage numbered four. They are Edward, Adolph, Emma, Samuel and Jacob.
Mr Wirtz is one of the honored early settlers of Boone county, and has witnessed almost its entire development, as it has emerged from primitive conditions to take its place among the leading counties of the state. He has been an active factor in tits agricultural interests and his business affairs have been so capably conducted that he has won most creditable and gratifying success. In politics he is a Republican, and has served as school director in this district and also in Beaver township. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the German Reformed church. The hope that led him to seek a home in the new world has found how potent is industry in the active affairs of life and that labor directed by sound judgment always brings its reward. He has gained prosperity and has also won the warm regard of a large circle of friends in his adopted county.

1902 Boone County History Book