Robert E. Wirsching

Robert Ernest Wirsching (February 15, 1846 – August 30, 1912) was a German-born American politician who served on the Los Angeles City Council and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.[1]

Robert E. Wirsching
Member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for the 2nd district
In office
January 4, 1897 – 1901
Preceded byAndrew W. Francisco
Succeeded byGeorge Alexander
Member of the Los Angeles City Council for the 9th ward
In office
February 25, 1889 – December 5, 1890
Preceded byConstituency established
Succeeded bySamuel Rees
Personal details
Born(1846-02-15)February 15, 1846
Meiningen, Germany
DiedAugust 30, 1912(1912-08-30) (aged 66)
Los Angeles, California
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Carlota E. Wirsching
​
​
(m. 1880)​
Children4, including Carl

Early life and career

Wirsching was born on February 15, 1846, in Meiningen, Germany, with his family immigrating to the United States in 1852 and settling in Connecticut, where he attended school. In 1875, he moved to Los Angeles in an attempt to seek out fortune, partnering with Samuel Rees, who would later succeed Wirsching as a Councilman, to form Rees & Wirsching. They did blacksmithing and built wagons in their store at Aliso Street before relocating to Los Angeles Street and selling modern agricultural items.[2]

Political career

In 1889, Wirsching was elected to the Los Angeles City Council for the newly created 9th Ward.[3] His tenure was short lived, only in office for a year before the next election. In 1896, Wirsching was elected to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and assumed office on January 4, 1897. He was in office until 1901, to which he was succeeded by future Los Angeles mayor George Alexander.[1]

In 1913, Mayor Henry R. Rose announced the appointment of Wirsching to the Board of Public Utilities, assuming office on December 17, 1913.[4] He was confirmed by the City Council, with President Frederick J. Whiffen against the nomination.[5][6] In 1915, Wirsching withdrew from the candidacy to become the president of the board, but was later appointed in 1917. His term expired on January 11, 1922.[7]

Personal life

In 1880, Wirsching married Carlota E. Wirsching, and with Carlota they had four children: Carl, Robert, Ernest, and Rose.[1]

References

Links to the Los Angeles Times articles may require the use of a library card.

  1. "SUPERVISOR ROBERT E. WIRSCHING" (PDF). Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
  2. Luella Sawyer and Clare Wallace, Los Angeles Public Library reference file, 1934, 1936, with sources as noted there
  3. "COUNCILMAN. R. E. WIRSCHING". Los Angeles Herald. January 31, 1889.
  4. "BACK T0 LIFE BIG AS EVER.: Board of Public Utilities Saved from Oblivion; Wright to Remain and Mayor Appoints Wirsching; Accumulated Business to Be Given Attention". Los Angeles Times. December 9, 1913. ProQuest 160077179.
  5. "CONFIRM WIRSCHING TOMORROW, IS PLAN". Los Angeles Herald. December 15, 1913.
  6. "WRIGHT IS NEW HEAD OF BOARD.: COUNCIL CONFIRMS WIRSCHING WITHOUT DISSENT; Public Utilities Commission Reorganized Until Return of Bekins,While Independent Civic LeagueSpeaker Asserts that Recall of Mayor and Council Will Be Started". Los Angeles Times. December 13, 1913. ProQuest 160062149.
  7. "LANE TO REMAIN.: WIRSCHING WITHDRAWS". Los Angeles Times. December 21, 1915. ProQuest 160290150.
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