John Wirth (1850-1938)

WIRTH, DICKOPH

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 9/4/2024 at 16:26:09

From Story City Herald March 10, 1938 (page 2)

JOHN WIRTH WAS BORN IN GERMANY

Friday morning at 7 o'clock, February 25, 1938, death took one of the most highly respected and beloved pioneers in this locality, in the pers on John Wirth, at the age of 88 years, and 3 months.

The funeral was held Monday morning, Feb. 8, 1938, at 10 o'clock in SS. Peter and Paul's Catholic church in Lafayette township. A solemn requiem high mass was sung with Father C. C. Drummy, pastor celebrant. Father D. A. Gorman of Nevada, deacon and Father W. L. McGovern of Nevada, sub-deacon. (Both Father Gorman and Father McGovern were former pastors of SS. Peter and Paul's church.) Father McGovern were former pastors of SS. Peter and Paul's church.) Father F. J. Frien of Webster City, also a friend of the deceased, was in charge of the music. He was assisted by the senior choir of the church of SS. Peter and Pauls.

The casket bearers were six nephews: Joe C. Wirth, Cleo Wirth, Leo Wirth, Joseph Wirth, Peter Wirth and Aloysius Wirth. Interment was in the SS. Peter and Paul's cemetery beside Mrs. Wirth, who preceded him in death. The solemn burial services were chanted at the grave by the Rev. Fathers' Drummy, Gorman, McGovern and Frien.

Life Sketch

John Wirth, the oldest son of Joseph and Odella Wirth, was born November 24, 1849, in Bundenthal, Rheine Phalz, Bavaria, Bayern, Germany. In his younger days he attended school in his home village in that country. The family decided to immigrate to the United States and left Germany, August 16, 1865, and left the seaport of Havre, France, August 19, 1865 in a sailing vessel which at that time was considered the largest sailing boat on the Atlantic ocean. It took 41 days to make the trip. They arrived at New York Sept. 29, 1865 and on Nov.1 of the same year they came to Chicago. The father, Joseph Wirth, passed away the same night they arrived in Chicago and was buried there. On November 5 the mother and sons went to Geneseo, Ill., where other relatives took care of the family. John Wirth stayed at the home of an uncle and during the winter of 1866 started to work as a farm hand.

The mother died June 27, at Geneseo and John Wirth came then to Iowa on August 17, 1869. He hired out to William Blunk where he worked until the year 1873. During that time he met Mary Dickoph who was a teacher in the Sheldahl school near Story City. They were united in marriage October 6, 1873, in the Catholic church in Boonesboro by Father Concannon. They lived one year in Boone county, a mile west of the present home.

They moved in the spring to the place in Lafayette township and where they had resided ever since. Mrs. Wirth passed away May 15, 1932.

Trips Abroad

Mr. and Mrs. Wirth made two trips abroad, having crossed the Atlantic ocean four times and the Pacific once.

When Mr. Wirth came here there were no roads and he petitioned for a road in 1876. He was road supervisor for 31 years in Story cunty and he put up the first building in section 30 in Lafayette township, a granary which still stands on his place.

Mr. and Mrs. Wirth celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in October, 1923. He was the first promoter of SS. Peter and Paul's church and was the teacher of Catechism classes for years at SS. Peter and Paul's church and donated the ground where the church property stands.

He was widely known for his piety and generosity and was the good counsel for many both old and young. As a community, we mourn his loss, but are thankful for a life so full of usefulness. May his memory be an inspiration to all. Two brothers preceded him in death, Peter, who died seven years ago and Fred, who died three years ago.

Mr. and Mrs. Wirth had no children of their own, but took two children to raise. A boy, Edward, died at the age of 3 years, and a girl Mayme, whom they raised from childhood, is at home and with a large number of nieces and nephews and many other relatives and innumerable friends are left to mourn his passing.

Relatives from a distance who attended the funeral included: Mr. and Mrs. Joe Mier of Chicago, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Albert Specht, Mrs. Lena and Joe Wirth, Henry Shale and Susan Leininger of Geneseo, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Will Monson, Clarence and Sylvester of Springfield, Minn.; Miss Bertha Baldus, Mrs. Emil Doggett and baby and Russell Baldus of Austin, Minn.; Mrs. Edward Hildman and Mr. and Mrs. Geo Hildman of Wesley; Mrs. Teresia Fourch and children of Wesley, also many others from Boone, Gilbert, Story City, Ames, Nevada, Stanhope and Jewell.