Yolo County CA Archives Biographies.....Wirth, C. Fred 1838 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 14, 2006, 1:55 pm Author: Tom Gregory (1913) C. FRED WIRTH What is within the power of earnest endeavor to accomplish is proved by the history of the Trade Palace, a leading mercantile emporium of Woodland and the development of a seemingly insignificant store started many years ago by a widow, upon whom had been thrust the stern necessity of supporting her five fatherless children. Thus was formed the nucleus of the present large business, whose proprietor, C. Fred Wirth, has supplemented native business ability by practical experience, strict attention to detail and a high sense of honor. With justice it may be stated that his own upright character and commercial standing reflect credit upon his native city and present home, Woodland, where his birth occurred in 1876 on Christmas day. The goddess of fortune did not smile upon his infancy and youth, but pluck and perseverance won success from a beginning that portended disaster and defeat. When only five years of age he lost his father and four years later he began to earn his own livelihood, since which time he has worked his own way upward to success and has won prosperity through unaided exertions. The patronymic of Wirth indicates the Teutonic extraction of the family, whose first representative in America, George L. Wirth, was born in Wurtemberg, March 28, 1838, and became a resident of California during 1860. After having been employed for some time in a dairy owned by Mike Bryte in 1869 he started the Woodland Brewery and also began to develop a ranch east of the city. Ere yet he had attained success he passed from earth December 21, 1882, leaving to his family the memory of an industrious, upright character, whose highest ambition was to provide tenderly and honorably for wife and children. He had married in Yolo county, April 13, 1873, Miss Rosine Buob, who was born at Eberbach, Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1851, being a daughter of Christian and Barbara (Brudi) Buob. When she was only two years of age the family came to the United States for the first time. After having spent three years in Illinois they returned to Germany in 1856. However, their minds reverted with such persistency to the new world that finally they determined to return to America. Accordingly in 1863 they again crossed the ocean, but this time they settled in California and took up land in Yolo county. Here the mother passed away and afterward the father removed to Washington, where he died at the age of eighty-six. Not only was Mrs. Rosine Wirth a devoted wife and wise mother, but when necessity forced her to take up the burden of the support of the little ones she displayed unusual business judgment. Selecting a small room on Main street, Woodland, she placed therein a small stock of toys and notions. Having bought with sagacity, she was able to sell at reasonable prices and this laid the foundation of her success. Little by little she added to the stock. In 1888 she met with a heavy misfortune in a fire that destroyed the entire block. As soon as the structure was rebuilt she made a new start in business and from that time enjoyed a growing trade that rendered advisable a steady enlargement of the stock carried in the establishment. Meanwhile her three daughters and two sons had become self-supporting and the need for her continuance in business no longer existed, so that her son, C. Fred, who had been with her in the store from the age of eighteen years, bought her interests and became her successor as proprietor. Aside from a course in Pierce's Business College at Woodland and the usual grammar school studies, Mr. Wirth had no preparation for life's activities other than those provided by his own determined efforts to attain culture and broad information. In his life may be seen an example of inherited commercial instincts developed and enlarged through personal application and intelligent labors. Since he became proprietor of the store in 1897 he has fostered its upbuilding by energy, persistence and sagacity. The need of a different location caused him in 1903 to lease the old White House at No. 515 Main street, a two-story structure, 24x115 feet in dimensions, and this he purchased in 1911, since which he has built a new front and made many other improvements. The Trade Palace, which is a continuation of one of the oldest stores in the city, carries a general line of stock, including dry goods, notions, trunks, ladies' clothing, and gentlemen's clothing and furnishing goods, all being strictly modern and up-to-date. It is but justice to add that in his business career Mr. Wirth has been ably assisted by his sister, Louise H. Wirth, who has aided materially in contributing to his success. The marriage of C. Fred Wirth was solemnized in San Francisco and united him with Miss Lottie D. Howard, who was born near Woodland, being a daughter of Mrs. Grace Howard and a granddaughter of Z. B. Kincheloe, an honored pioneer of Yolo county. In the Wirth family there are two children, Weldon Kincheloe and Dorothy Delight. The Republican party receives the stanch allegiance of Mr. Wirth, who gives to its candidates, his ballot and to its principles his- influence. By reason of his western nativity he has entered into active membership with Woodland Parlor, Native Sons of the Golden West. The Sons of Hermann also number him among the members of the order. His fraternal associations are further promoted by active connection with Masonry, in which he holds membership with Woodland Lodge No. 156, F. & A. M.; Woodland Chapter No. 46, E. A. M.; and Woodland Commandery No. 21, K. T. His native county, which also has been the center of his life efforts, has reason to be proud of his growing success and widening influence, while he himself without egotism may reflect with pleasure upon the advance he has made in business circles through his own determined efforts and sagacious labors. Additional Comments: Extracted from HISTORY OF YOLO COUNTY CALIFORNIA WITH Biographical Sketches OF The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been Identified With Its Growth and Development From the Early Days to the Present HISTORY BY TOM GREGORY AND OTHER WELL KNOWN WRITERS ILLUSTRATED COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA [1913] File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/yolo/bios/wirth170gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/cafiles/ File size: 6.8 Kb