White County INGenWeb

COUNTIES OF WHITE AND PULASKI, INDIANA, HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL, Published by F.A. Battey & Co, Chicago, 1883, pg 249

H. WIRT, dentist, is a native of Allentown, Lehigh Co., Penn., and was born March 17, 1828. At the age of six years, he was left to battle with the realities of life by the death of his father, and,-although among relatives, his experience for the first eight years was anything but pleasant. When fourteen years old, he was bound out to learn tailoring, but being brutally treated by his preceptor, three times ran away, the first two times being overtaken and brought back. When seventeen years old, he ran away the third time, and in spite of his guardian's persuasions to return, asserted his determination of being a man and doing for himself among strangers. Never liking the tailor's trade, he discontinued ,it in 1848, and began t4e study of dentistry at Mauch Chunk, afterward at Allentown. After four year's instruction, he began work on his own responsibility in his native town, but subsequently worked at his profession in different places in Pennsylvania, during which time he obtained a thorough knowledge of practical dentistry. In 1858, he first came to Monticello, and opening an office was not long in establishing a good practice. On his arrival, his total possessions, besides the clothes on his back and the instruments of his profession, consisted of just 5 cents in money. He has been enabled to secure a good home by diligence and economy, and is one of the progressive and substantial men of Monticello. To the marriage of Dr. Wirt and Miss Grace Tilton, which occurred in the fall of 1859, have been born four children-William, Zebulon, Rebecca and Mary Grace. Dr. Wirt cast his first vote with the Whig party, but in 1856 voted for Col. John C. Fremont, and has since been a Republican. He is a member of the F. & A. M., and the Sovereigns of the Red Star.

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