BIOGRAPHY: Jacob Rupp WIRT, Mifflin County, PA

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The Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley, Comprising 
the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata, and Perry, Pennsylvania.
Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, Volume I, pages 622-623.

  JACOB RUPP WIRT, P. O. McVeytown, Mifflin county, Pa., was born near Mexico, 
Walker township, Juniata county, Pa., August 1, 1839.  His great-grandfather 
came to America about 1770, from one of the cantons of Switzerland, settled in 
the vicinity of Boston, Mass., and ultimately came to what is now Northumberland 
county, Pa., where his son Nicholas was born and reared to early manhood.  At 
the age of seventeen Nicholas entered the Continental army as a drummer boy, and 
served twenty-two months.  Nicholas married Margaret Sidel, and they reared a 
large family of children, among whom was Daniel, father of Jacob R. Wirt.  
Daniel Wirt was born in Adams county, Pa., June 10, 1804.  He was seven years 
old when his parents removed to Perry county, and resided between Millerstown 
and Carlisle until 1824.  He then lived two years in Wild Cat valley, in the 
same county, after which he spent three years at Millerstown, learning stone 
masonry.  During the summers of 1828 and 1829, he was employed on the 
Pennsylvania canal, along the Juniata river.  Altogether he worked forty years 
at his trade.  He was married in the village of Mexico, Pa., in the latter part 
of 1830, to Maria, daughter of David and Margaret Miller, born in Lancaster 
county, April 8, 1808.  Their children are:  David;  Susan;  Jacob R.;  and 
Daniel.  Mr. Wirt was an earnest and consistent member of the Lutheran church, 
and was a judicious and just man.  He removed April 1, 1833, to the homestead in 
Walker township, where he spent the remainder of his life, and died there in 
December, 1888.
  Jacob Rupp Wirt was reared on the homestead, and was educated in the local 
schools.  At the early age of fourteen, he began to work out among the 
neighbors, and was employed in this way for three years.  In 1857-58 he was 
employed with his brother David at masonry, but not having the physical strength 
requisite for such heavy work, he abandoned the trade and became a teacher, and 
from 1858 to 1872 was successfully engaged in this profession.  In 1872 he 
became cashier in the bank of Moore, McWilliams & Co., in McVeytown, and filled 
the position until 1879, when he was elected justice of the peace; in this 
office he has served continuously since.  In 1869 he had been elected to the 
office and served one term of five years.  He has also been the local agent for 
some of the best fire and life insurance companies in the business.  In 1868 Mr. 
Wirt developed the first sand at McVeytown, and shipped the first carload 
consigned from the mine now operated by C. P. Dull.  He is a supporter of the 
Democratic party;  also a member of McVeytown Lodge No. 376, F. and A. M.
  Mr. Wirt was married September 3, 1867, to Sarah E. Reifsnyder, born November 
3, 1844, a daughter of Jonathan and Marie Ann (Seibert) Reifsnyder, of 
Womelsdorf, Berks county, Pa.  Their children are:  Lucius A.;  Mary B.;  
William M.;  Irene E.;  John O.;  and George H.  Mr. and Mrs. Wirt are members 
of the Presbyterian church at McVeytown.  
  Jacob R. Wirt and his brother, Daniel S. Wirt, enlisted June 30, 1863, in 
Company K, Thirty-fourth regiment of the Emergency Troops;  Jacob R. Wirt was 
made quartermaster's sergeant of the regiment, and both were honorably 
discharged, August 24, 1863.