Fourth Generation

32. Alwin Wilhelm "Alvin" WIRTH was born on 24 April 1890 in Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.^19,45,46,65 He was baptized on 9 June 1890 in Ridgeville Township, Monroe County, WI.⁷¹ at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church. He appeared in the census in 1900 in Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.¹⁹ Alvin appeared in the census in 1910 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.³⁴ He was living with his parents. He graduated in 1911 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁷² from Tomah High School. He appeared in the census in 1920 in Melstone, Musselshell County, MT.⁷³ His household was on "Fourth Street, West of Mission Street" and his occupation was listed as "Blacksmith Helper, Railroad." Alvin appeared in the census in 1930 in Minneapolis, Hennepin County, MN.⁷⁴ He was a "Roomer" in the Inez Field household at 738 Chicago Avenue, and his occupation appears to be listed as (writing not clear) "Dating Nail Driver, Rd. Tie Mill." He was listed as "Married," but his wife was not living with him. He lived in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, CA in April 1985.⁴⁵

On 28 August 1985, he wrote a typed letter to Florence (Brehmer) Doughterty, replying to her letter about some family history. "Your letter received today, but why didn't you fill me in on your connection? However, I am happy to oblige but it is a little complicated. In preparation, it is necessary to go through a lot of paper with German hand script in front, with attached translations or explanations. My nephew Jim Wirth worked on a family tree of the Wirth-Kleimann family and he just dumped the raw material on me. Anyway, my daughter was here today and is interested in taking a look after I am through with Florence.

Right now, I am reading a Release certificate, signed by the Royal Prussian Administration, Dept. of the Interior, for Wilhelm Friedrich Wirth, relative to his immigration to North America, as well as his wife, Dorothea Louise Pergande, as well as his sons 1. Johann Fredrich August, 12 yrs old, 2. Wilhelm Friedrich August, 9 1/2 years old, dated the 3rd of March, 1857.

My father, Leopold Friedrich, was born 1858 (I think) at Brooklyn Center, Wis. He married Margaretha Kleinmann at Wauwatosa, Wis. My oldest brother Max was born in Wis.

I have no date or info. as to Grandpa Wirth's death. In due time, Grandpa Fuchs married the widow Dorothea Louise. In due time, Frank Fuchs was born to them and became my father's step-brother. That is connection. No I don't know how the Brehmers sneaked in there.

Now about the Brehmers, a bunch of them were our friends, but at the line above I still cannot see that we were the cause of any of it. But ... Frank Fuchs married Mary Keller and there was quite a few of them.

Another puzzle bothers me. There was a whole tribe of Pergandes all over the Ridge between Wilton, Ridgeville and the Valley who were considered as Shirt Tail relatives to us. But I never learned until I read the paper I am quoting from, that Grandma Dorothea Louise was also a Pergande.

Well, it is time to tell you that the two Step-Brothers took up farming together on the Reel farm; it had two sets of buildings about half a mile apart. I was born in the Brick house. The Reels Valley School was on the Northwest Corner of the Farm where the road turned.

Guess I was about six when Pa bought the Boyd (farm) about 1/2 mile north. I believe that the Young Mike Linehan still lives there. We built a new house and barn, etc., on the new location. We moved in and Grandpa and Grandma Fuchs moved into the brick house.

I have used a lot of words to come this far. The immigrants could have swam the Atlantic in almost the same time.

I write to a lot of elected publich officials, keep it to one page and use multiple copies. After Gary Hart won the primary in New Hampshire last year, I wrote a letter addressed to 'To Whom It May Concern.' My daughter took it to work and brought back 25 copies. My last statement in the letter was to the effect that I would be walking for Gary Hart in The California Primary campaign. I mailed 22 copies to U.S. senators and congressmen. From 1952 to 1978 I had been politically active as a volunteer in the state and district council of clubs.

In late April up to May 9th, I experienced the most happy, interested and proud and exciting events of my whole life. The first date was my 95th birthday. My daughter as usual took me to a good restaurant. This time it was Michaels Crystal Room. I found the two of us in a heavily cushioned place for four or more. I of course knew we should have company, but who? Well, first my oldest son from Seattle Leo came bursting in on me, then Bill from Modesto, Cal. Then a mug was set in the middle of the table from which was suspended a 2 1/2 foot diameter helium filled plastic heart with Happy Birthday in letters 9 inches high. A small white heart in the top left-hand corner said 'Our Dad.' Another at the bottom with the words 'From His Kids.' It held four baloons just under the Heart with Carol, Mary, Leo and Bill. Our daughter had visited us for thirteen days but had to leave 2 days before. The Heart, now 4 moths old, is still hanging in our living room, somewhat wrinkled.

All of the political talk above was to explain the basis for the proud event of April 9th. The picture of us with the items on my lap are for evidence. I was invited to the annual dinner of the Los Angeles County Democratic Central Committee. There are 28 Assembly districts in this county. The small item on my lap is the Citation as the Democrat of the Year received by me and 27 others. The other is a frame under glass, received by me only. A Resolution of Congratulatons, etc., etc., signed by the Speaker of the California State Assembly and by the Assemblyman of our district. I am doubly pleased and proud because at least a third of the credit is for services outside of politics. There is a saying which goes, 'Ask and you shall receive.' I ... never expected all of this stuff.

I still remain very curious as to why you were interested in a Wirth, Fuchs, Brehmer connection.

Sincerely, Alvin

p.s. Will save your envelope for next time."

.

He died on 24 February 1989 at the age of 98.⁴⁵

Alwin Wilhelm "Alvin" WIRTH and Evelyn G. UNKNOWN (WIRTH) were married about 1911.^45,74 Evelyn G. UNKNOWN (WIRTH) was born about 1896 in Wisconsin.⁷³ She appeared in the census in 1920 in Melstone, Musselshell County, MT.^73,74

(Her three oldest children were listed as "step-sons" and "step-daughter" in the 1930 Census, so she may have died before then. Her husband was living by himself, although he was listed as "Married." She could not be located anywhere in the U.S. in the 1930 Census.)

Alwin Wilhelm "Alvin" WIRTH and Evelyn G. UNKNOWN (WIRTH) had the following children: