Biography: Theobald Kirsch, Marion County, Oregon.

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Transcribed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Kathleen Lenerz <lenerzk@worldnet.att.net>  5 May 2002
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Transcriber's notes:
Theobald Kirsch lived in Mt. Angel, Marion County, Oregon.
Theobald's wife's name was Theresia von Hatten, not Tracy.
Frona's name was Verona or Veronica.
Martin Preuneg should be Martin Breunig.

From: Portrait and Biographical Record of the Willamette Valley Oregon. Chicago: 
Chapman Publishing Company, 1903.

THEOBALD KIRSCH
     Like all other land in this vicinity the farm belonging to Theobald Kirsch was 
once a wilderness of unfurrowed fields and unfelled forests, where it now blossoms 
with harvests and gratifies the eye with the attractive, modern buildings that have 
been erected upon it.  These changes are due to the indefatigable energy and 
management of its thrifty owner, who, animated by proper pride as well as self-
interest, has become noted throughout the neighborhood as one of the best farmers 
of which it boasts.  The greatest credit is due Mr. Kirsch for the praiseworthy
efforts that have brought him success, for he started in life with nothing to help 
him even  to the first round of the ladder but his own manliness and determination 
to make something out of his life.  That he has succeeded is established beyond a 
doubt, the broad acres of his farm testifying to the affluence that has come to him 
in the evening of life.

     Theobald Kirsch was born August 10, 1841, in Lorraine, in what was then French
territory, but in 1871 passed to Germany, and came to the United States with his 
parents in 1855, settling in New York, where his father worked at general labor for 
a few years.  At the end of this time enough money had been accumulated to warrant 
moving into the farming region of Sandusky County, Ohio, where they bought land upon
which they lived until 1870.  While in this location Theobald arrived at his twenty-
first year, and following his inclinations he enlisted in Company H, Seventy-second 
Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.  He was mustered into service at Columbus in 
October, 1862, and went at once with the regiment to Memphis, where they did guard 
duty for some time.  Later he was in the memorable siege of Vicksburg.  In the battle
of Guntown he was taken prisoner, being sent to Andersonville, where he was confined
until the close of the war.  This was a period of ten months, after which he was sent
to Jacksonville, Fla., and from there to Annapolis, Md., thence to Camp Chase near 
Columbus, Ohio, where he was mustered out of service, having served two years and 
nine months.  Returning to his home near Fremont, Ohio, he remained there for a short
time, preceding his parents to Wisconsin by four years, their removal there being 
made in 1870.  The old people later passed away in that state, the father at the age 
of eighty years, March 1, 1886, the mother dying May 4, 1882, at seventy-two years of
age.  They were the parents of five children, four of whom are now living, Theobald 
being the only one in Oregon.

     In 1888 Mr. Kirsch came to this county and bought one hundred and ninety-five 
acres of land, which now forms a part of his home.  To that purchase he has added 
until he now owns four hundred and thirty acres, two hundred and seventy-five acres 
of which are under cultivation.  He has fifty-seven acres devoted to hops, from which
was produced last year forty thousand pounds. He now rents this part of his farm.  By
his union in 1866 to Miss Tracy (sic) Von Hatten, born January 8, 1849, in Pittsburg 
(sic), Pa., he became the father of eleven children, six of whom are now living.  The
second of the children, Rosa, is the only one who is not at home, she having become 
the wife of H. Butch, of British Columbia, where they have five children.  The 
remaining children are as follows: Joseph, who is married and on the home place; 
John, Henry, Frank and Frona (sic), all unmarried; Mary, deceased, was married to 
John Camp, and had a son; Lena, deceased, was married to Martin Preuneg (sic), and 
had two children; Annie, Annie (the second child bearing the name), and George all 
died in early childhood.  Politically, Mr. Kirsch is a Democrat and served at one 
time as road supervisor.  The family are members of the Catholic Church.