Randolph  County,  Indiana

Joseph  C.  Hirsch


            In the death of the late Joseph C. Hirsh the city of Winchester lost one of its most energetic men of affairs, who, through a long lapse of years, was prominent in the various circles in which he moved and whose influence for good will continue to pervade the lives of those with whom he came in contact for many years to come. He was one of the sterling, thrifty citizens of Randolph county who came from the great empire and did so much for the general up building of this locality. He began life at the bottom of the ladder and gradually ascended the same to the topmost rung unaided and without anyone having paved the way for him, but he was ambitious, honest and possessed untiring energy so he became a leading business man and citizen in the county-seat and when he passed to his eternal rest his loss was keenly felt by the entire community.
            Mr. Hirsh was born in Germany in the year 1836, and he emigrated from the Fatherland when a lad with his parents, who settled in Syracuse, New York, subsequently removing to Dayton, Ohio, where young Hirsh learned to be a pharmacist after having received a good common school education. From there the family moved to Cincinnati, and finally our subject came to Winchester, Indiana, where he spent the rest of his life, conducting one of the largest and most up-to-date drug stores in this section of the state. He was in this line of business for a period of forty years, and was regarded as an excellent business man. His courtesy, honesty and obliging disposition won him thousands of customers and friends wherever he was known. He remained in the drug business up to his death, February 17, 1909.
            Mr. Hirsh was twice married, first, in Dayton, where his wife died without issue His second wife was Anna D. Thomas, who had been previously married to John Durst. The date of our subject's last marriage was March 10, 1897. Mrs. Hirsh is a daughter of John C. Thomas and wife, of Darke county, Ohio, and is one of five children, namely: Catherine, a widow, lives in Darke county and has two children; Charles, who is farming in Darke county, has been married twice and has six children; Sophia is deceased; Anna Dorothy, widow of Mr. Hirsh, and Mary M.
            Mrs. Anna D. Hirsh was educated in the common schools of New York and Dayton. She conducted an extensive dressmaking establishment in Dayton for some time, enjoying a large patronage among the best class of people. She is a lady of many commendable attributes and her modernly appointed and beautiful home in the heart of the city of Winchester is often the gathering place for her many friends who find here true hospitality of an old-time flavor and never-failing good cheer.
            Mr. Hirsh was noted for his probity of character, his word being regarded as good, if not better than the bond of most men, and his rare foresight and sound judgment was admired by all who knew him, as well as his exemplary character.
Past and Present of Randolph County, Indiana, 1914.
Contributed by Gina Richardson

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