Bio of WIRTH, Philip W. (b.1863), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical

Vol III, pg 647-648
PHILIP W. WIRTH
Constantly reaching out along broadening business lines that his services and
activities should be more effective in the advancement of progress and the
attainment of success, Philip W. Wirth has at length come to rank with the
representative business men of Minneapolis, as president of the Cosby-Wirth
Company, sales book manufacturers. He was born in Paterson, New Jersey, February
2, 1863, and is a son of Adolphus J. and Frances (Brandle) Wirth, the former a
native of Prussia, while the latter was born in Alsace-Lorraine, France. Coming
to the United States Adolphus J. Wirth landed at New York city and subsequently
took up his abode in Paterson, New Jersey, where he engaged in the manufacture
of soap until conditions brought about by the Civil war put him out of business.
The year 1870 witnessed his arrival in Minnesota, at which time he took up his
abode in Winona, where he was a pioneer settler and engaged in trading with the
Indians. Later he lived practically retired. Both he and his wife have passed
away.
Philip W. Wirth was a lad of but seven years when the family home was
established in Winona and there he attended the public schools. He afterward
worked as an employe in the post office at that place for a time and
subsequently he entered the confectionery business, to which he devoted his
attention until 1881, when he came to Minneapolis, seeking the broader field of
labor offered in the larger city. Here he opened a confectionery store on Fourth
street, near the old depot, and continued in the business until the new Union
station was built. He then removed to Washington avenue, between Third and
Fourth streets, and extended the scope of his activities by adding a grocery
department to his confectionery business, remaining in those lines of trade
until he engaged in his present business in 1898. For this purpose he formed a
partnership with Charles E. Cosby, under the style of the Cosby-Wirth Company
and in 1914 the business was incorporated. This is one of fifteen companies in
the United States engaged in the same line-namely, the manufacture of street
railway transfers, bills of lading, order blanks and sales blanks. The concern
occupies the top floor of the building at Nos. 422 to 428 Washington avenue
North, where it has thirteen thou­sand square feet of floor space. It is the
only firm of the kind between Chicago and the west coast and the business covers
a wide area, as the company does work for many cities and makes large shipments
of its output. Mr. Wirth came to Minneapolis at an early period and has grown up
with the business development of the city, con­tributing his share to the work
of general progress and profiting by reason of the advantage he has taken of the
opportunities before him.
On the 29th of January, 1892, Mr. Wirth was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E.
Jarrett, belonging to one of the pioneer families of Minneapolis. Mr. and Mrs.
Wirth reside at No. 2820 Irving avenue South, where the hospitality of their
home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends. Mr. Wirth is a member of the
Minneapolis Athletic Club, also of the Manufacturers Club, the Elks Club and the
Civic and Commerce Asso­ciation. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern
Woodmen and the Royal Arcanum. His interests are thoroughly those of the
enterprising business man and progressive citizen, one who is constantly alert
to the opportunities before him and who does not fear to venture where favoring
opportunity leads the way. He is fortunate in pos­sessing character and ability
that inspire confidence in others and the simple weight of his character and
ability have carried him into important commercial relations.