One of the leading German families of Albany is that of Wirth. They have resided in that city less than half a century, but have, in that time, become a recognized and prominent family of wealth and quality. The founder of the family in the United States is Jacob, son of Jacob and Mary (Heinz) Wirth, of Miesbart, Rhinefaltz, Germany. Jacob, the father, was born in that village and province in 1788, died in 1848. His wife died in 1846. They were members of the German Lutheran church, and well connected with old German families in both lines. They had a daughter Catherine, who married, in the home town, Peter Kneller, who survives her, living in Germany. Peter and Catherine had seven sons, all of whom became soldiers in the regular German army, and two daughters.
(II) Jacob (2), son of Jacob and Mary (Heinz) Wirth, was born July 21, 1842, in the German home, and when four years of age lost his mother; two years later his father died. He was taken into a family of the better class who knew the lad's worthy parents, and reared him as their own. He remained with his foster parents until he was fourteen, when he was apprenticed to a tailor and taught that trade. At the age of sixteen he started out in life for himself. He escaped military service through good fortune in the drawing of names, and began working at his trade. He did not settle long in one town, but roamed according to his inclination until reaching Switzerland, where he remained two years. In that country he became acquainted with a young lady whom he desired to make his wife, and determined to come to the United States, establish a business and send for her. In February, 1866, he sailed from the port of Bremen, Germany, on the steamship "Bremen," for the United States, landed in New York City early in March, and on the 27th of that month was in Albany, New York. He at once established a small merchant tailoring business and in July of the same year had been so thrifty and industrious that the necessary one hundred and twenty dollars was dispatched to Switzerland to bring over his intended wife. They were married in August, 1866, in Albany. He prospered in business, gained a good reputation, and from time to time increased the number of his workmen. He purchased of the Moore estate the lot and building at the corner of Second avenue and South Pearl street, which he occupied as a business home for fifteen years, employing a large force of men. As prosperity came he gradually withdrew from the more arduous cares of business and gave more time and thought to the enjoyments of life, which from childhood had been denied him. His success has been well earned and richly deserved. He is a prominent member of the Masonic order; for twenty years has been treasurer of Guttenberg Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons; belongs to the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, Commandery of Knights Templar, and in the Scottish Rite has attained the 32d degree. He has three sons in the order also. He and his family are members of the Fourth Reformed Dutch church, and he affiliates with the Republican party, as do all his sons. His wife, Mary Kuhn, whom he married in Albany, August, 1866, was born in the Canton of Argo, Switzerland, April 18, 1844, daughter of Jonathan Kuhn, of Swiss birth, who died in middle life. His wife, Rosina Hisi Kuhn, survived him, came to the United States, and passed her latter years with her daughter, Mrs. Jacob Wirth, in Albany, where she died at the age of eighty-five years. They had nine children, four of whom came to the United States:
- Jacob Kuhn, now of Albany;
- John Kuhn, of Columbus, Ohio;
- Mrs. Anna Niederer, of Germantown, Pennsylvania, and
- Mary, Mrs. Jacob Wirth.
The children of Jacob and Mary (Kuhn) Wirth, all born and educated in Albany, are:
- Mary, died at the age of two years.
- Jacob (3), born February 2, 1869; married Kate Deiseroth, and has sons Arthur and Russell. He is associated with his father in the merchant tailoring establishment.
- Mary, married George Rymiller, of Albany; children: Ralph, Harold, Elizabeth and Anna.
- Rose, married Herbert Schoonmaker, of Albany, and has a daughter, Marie Schoonmaker.
- Theresa, married William Wagner, of Albany. Their son, Henry, died in infancy.
- Frederick, married Carrie Detrick, and has a daughter Frieda. He is foreman of an automobile manufacturing company of Springfield, Massachusetts.
- Anna, married Fred Stang, a farmer of Bethlehem Center, New York.
- John, a civil engineer, graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy; unmarried.
- Elizabeth, unmarried.
- Martha.
- Catherine.