WI BIO - Kenosha Co - WIRTZ, John B.

History of Kenosha and Kenosha County, Wisconsin. Lyman, F. Clarke 
Publishing, 1916, vol II, pp 499-500

John B. WIRTZ, a well known citizen of Somers and a lifelong resident of the 
county, was born 10 April 1870 in Somers Township, near [the city of] 
Kenosha, Kenosha County, Wisconsin, his parents being John and Mary 
(EBERHARDT) WIRTZ, who were born in the Rhine country of Germany, where they 
were reared and educated. The father [John WIRTZ] was forty-two years of age 
when he crossed the Atlantic [p 500] to the United States and made his way to 
Kenosha County, settling just outside the city limits of Kenosha. There he 
purchased land and engaged in farming for a time, but afterward took up his 
abode in the city [of Kenosha] and worked at the blacksmith's trade, 
continuing his residence there until his life's labors were ended in death. 
His widow [Mrs. Mary (EBERHARDT) WIRTZ] survives and yet makes her home in 
Kenosha.

John B. WIRTZ spent his youthful days in the city of Kenosha, and after the 
common schools had prepared him for life's practical and responsible duties, 
he secured employment in the Bain Wagon Works, where he remained for twelve 
years. He then went to Racine [Racine County, which formerly included what 
became Kenosha County on 26 January 1850], where he was engaged in the 
grocery business for a year. He afterward returned to the trade of wagon 
making, and for eight years occupied the responsible position of foreman in a 
Kenosha factory. On the expiration of that period he removed to Somers, 
where he opened an inn, and has now been identified with the hotel interests 
of the town [of Somers] for twelve years, during which period he has built up 
a trade of large and gratifying proportions, being now accorded a liberal 
patronage.

On 09 October 1905 Mr. [John B.] WIRTZ was united in marriage to Miss 
Margaret De FRANG, a daughter of John and Margaret (WEILER) De FRANG, who 
were early settlers of Kenosha. Her father was baggageman at the 
Northwestern [Chicago & Northwestern Railway] depot [in Kenosha] for several 
years, and the family is well known.

Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. WIRTZ [to John B. and Margaret 
(De FRANG) WIRTZ]: Marie, Isabel, Adeline, and Elizabeth. The family are 
communicants of the Catholic church, and fraternally Mr. WIRTZ belongs to the 
Catholic Knights and the Fraternal Order of Eagles of Kenosha. In politics 
he maintains an independent course, nor has he ever sought or desired the 
honors and emoluments of political office. His attention has been fully 
occupied with his business interests, and his work has been the basis of his 
growing success, which has now furnished him with a comfortable competence 
that supplies him with all the necessities and some of the luxuries of life.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly