One of the charter members of Zion Lutheran Church in Longtown was born on this day. George Wirth was born on June 21, 1861, making today his 162nd birthday. George was the son of Peter and Anna (Adler) Wirth. He was baptized at Peace Lutheran Church in Friedenberg, so we cannot view an actual image of his baptism record. That congregation’s books were lost in a fire. George is found in the 1870 census at the age of 8. He was the last of the children born in this Wirth family. George’s father was a farmer in the Cinque Hommes Township.

I was unable to find the Wirth family in the 1880 census. I even looked in the long-lost pages of the 1880 Union Township census, but failed. So, we will now take a look at the early life of the woman who would become George’s wife. Her name was Pauline Anna Schade, who was born on August 7, 1867. Pauline was the daughter of Frederick and Marie (Weinrich) Schade. She was the 4th of 9 children born into this Schade family. Like her future husband, Pauline was likely baptized at Peace Lutheran Church in Friedenberg. Pauline is found in the 1870 census at the age of 2. Her father was a blacksmith in the Cinque Hommes Township.

In the 1880 census, Pauline was 12 years old. During the 1870’s, the Union Township was established. That is where we find the Schade’s in 1880. That does not necessarily mean that they moved, but now were listed as being part of this new township.

George Wirth married Pauline Schade on April 16, 1885 at Peace, Friedenberg. The marriage license for this couple is pictured here. Rev. William Weber performed this wedding.

There were 6 children born to this Wirth couple. The first 4 were baptized at Peace Lutheran Church in Friedenberg. The last two were baptized at Zion Lutheran Church in Longtown. Let’s take a quick detour to the history of that Lutheran church in Longtown.

Zion Lutheran Church was established in 1897, and when that congregation was being organized, the meeting was held in the home of Pauline’s father, Frederick.

If you look at the list of that congregation’s charter members, you will not only see Fred Schade’s name, but also that of George Wirth.

This explains why a son that was born in 1896 to George and Pauline was baptized in Friedenberg, but the next child born in 1902 was baptized in Longtown.

We find the George Wirth household in the 1900 census with 4 children. Included in their household was George’s mother, Anna. George was a house carpenter in the Union Township.

When the 1910 census was taken, we once again see 4 children in their household. The oldest son was no longer living with them, and another son had been born during the previous decade. This time, George was called a farmer.

When the 1915 plat maps were produced for Perry County, we see the George Wirth farm located not far from the village of Longtown.

The 1920 census once again lists 4 children in the Wirth household. One of their daughters, Elsa, had married Herman Mehner, but he had died shortly thereafter. The story of Elsa was told in the post, Brief Wife – Lengthy Widow, which was published fairly recently.

The Wirth family is next seen in the 1930 census. This time, they were listed as living in the Cinque Hommes Township. At the age of 69, George no longer had an occupation. Just one daughter remained living with her parents.

The last census in which we find the Wirth’s is the one taken in 1940. George and Pauline had an empty nest. Both of them were in their 70’s.

Pauline Wirth died in 1943 at the age of 75. Her death certificate is pictured below.

George Wirth died in 1945 at the age of 84. His death certificate says he died of pneumonia.

George and Pauline Wirth are buried together in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Longtown.

The Wirth and Schade surnames were instrumental in the early years of Zion Lutheran Church in Longtown. I cannot say whether those two names can still be found in the membership roles of that congregation, but it would not surprise me if they were.