“The History of Jefferson County, Wisconsin”, published: Chicago:  
Western Historical Company.   1879.


M. A. HIRSH, dry-goods merchant; was born in Fellheim, Bavaria, Aug. 
8, 1838, and came to Wisconsin in March, 1866, locating in Watertown.  
Mr. Hirsh landed in New York without one cent and immediately went 
to work at any honest employment he could find to do, such as carrying 
newspapers, driving express wagon, porter in stores, etc.  In 1854, he 
went to Chicago and became a clerk in the wholesale dry-goods house of 
Rosenfield & Rosenberg, after which, he moved to Wilmington, Ill., and 
in connection with Mr. Levi Abt, under the firm name of Hirsh & Abt, 
opened a dry-goods store, which continued about three years, or until 
burnt out by fire, the insurance just paying the indebtedness.  Having lost 
every cent by this disaster, he came to Watertown, Wis., when his old 
employers, Messrs. Rosenfield & Rosenberg, loaned him money to again 
start in the dry-goods business; this business he has carried on to the 
present writing with the most gratifying success.  He married, June 17, 
1868, Fannie Goldman, niece of Levi Rosenfield, of Chicago; he has 
three children living – Emma, Henry and Max.


Submitted by:  Linda Pingel  (LPingel@worldnet.att.net)