The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and
Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 894 
A portrait of Oswald H. Wirsig appears in this publication.
A portrait of Mrs. Oswald H. Wirsig appears in this publication.

OSWALD H. WIRSIG.

Oswald H. Wirsig, actively engaged in fruit raising in the Zillah district of
Yakima county, was born in Rothwasser, Saxony, Germany, November 10, 1846, a son
of John G. and Christiana (Gruender) Wirsig, who brought their family to the
United States in 1856. They settled in Lee county, Iowa, where the mother's
death occurred, and in later life the father made a visit to a daughter in
another part of the state and in her home passed away.

Oswald H. Wirsig obtained a public school education, beginning his studies in
his native country and continuing them in Lee county, Iowa, when twenty-two
years of age he pursued a business course and then devoted fourteen years to
railway work, being agent for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad in
Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska. He lived in various towns as his duties took him
from place to place and when fourteen years had passed he retired from railroad
service to engage in farming. He was also a merchant for a time at Champion,
Nebraska, and afterward became a bank clerk in that state. The year 1902
witnessed his arrival in Yakima county. On the 1st of July he purchased forty
acres of land adjoining Buena and one mile from the railroad station and a
quarter of a mile from the school, while the rural free delivery over the county
road brought his mail to his door. The land which he secured was partly
improved, a portion of it having been planted to alfalfa. With characteristic
energy he began preparation for fruit raising and now has twenty-eight acres
planted to apples, pears and cherries. He has a frost proof warehouse and has
developed one of the best orchards in the valley. The land has fine natural
drainage so that it is easy to irrigate and all of the equipments and
accessories of the model ranch property of the northwest in the twentieth
century are found upon his place. Moreover, his farm is splendidly located and
his home commands a magnificent view of snow-capped Mount Adams and of Mount
Rainier.

In 1870 Mr. Wirsig was united in marriage to Miss Sarah W. Skinner, a native of
Lee county, Iowa, and a daughter of William Skinner, who was of English descent.
To them were born four children, namely: Nora, Bertha, Carl and William, all of
whom are still living and have received good educational advantages. The younger
son served for four years in the united States Navy. In early life Mrs. Wirsig
was a teacher and taught both in the common schools and in the State Normal.
After a useful and well spent life she passed away in October, 1914, mourned by
all who knew her.

Mr. Wirsig is a stalwart republican in his political views. Though born in
Germany, he is thoroughly American in thought and spirit. His father was in 1848
one of those who participated in the uprising in Germany to overthrow
monarchical rule. He was a man of very liberal education and well read. It was
his desire to live in a land of liberty that brought him to the new world, where
he immediately became a naturalized American citizen, manifesting the utmost
loyalty to his adopted country from the first. The same spirit has been manifest
in the son, who in all matters of citizenship casts his influence on the side of
right, progress, reform and improvement. Fraternally he is connected with the
Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order of United
Workmen. In business affairs he has persevered in the face of difficulties.
While a merchant in Nebraska he prospered for some time until he was worth over
twenty thousand dollars but during the widespread financial panic of 1893
failure overtook him. When he obtained his present ranch he had only twenty-two
hundred and fifty dollars and was fifty-seven years of age. Indomitable courage
and indefatigable industry have advanced his interests until he is now worth
over forty thousand dollars. His business record is indeed worthy of emulation
and should inspire and encourage others who, like himself, had to start out in
life empty-handed.

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Submitted to the Washington Bios Project in January 2008 by Jeffrey L. Elmer.
Submitter has no additional information about the subject of this article.