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J. Fred Wuerth, Retired Business Leader, Dies

J. Fred Wuerth, Retired Business Leader, Dies image
Parent Issue
Ann Arbor News, September 19, 1946
Day
19
Month
September
Year
1946
Copyright
Copyright Protected
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Donated by the Ann Arbor News. © The Ann Arbor News.
Obituary
OCR Text

THURSDAY, SEPT. 19, 1946

J. Fred Wuerth, Retired Business Leader, Dies

Formerly Owned Two Theaters And Men’s Clothing Store

J. Frederick Wuerth, former owner of the Wuerth and Orpheum theaters and a prominent local businessman here for half a century, died this morning at the age of 75 at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Hugh C. Downer, in Chagrin Falls, O., near Cleveland.

Mr. Wuerth was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, Feb. 25, 1871, the son of Fredericka Heist Wuerth and the late Louis Wuerth. A year later the widowed Mrs. Wuerth brought her family of five sons and two daughters to America and finally to Ann Arbor.

Own Business In 1900

After attending the public schools here, Mr. Wuerth entered the employ of George Wahr. After 12 years with the Wahr firm, he founded the clothing firm of Staebler and Wuerth in 1900.

In 1913 the Orpheum theater was built by Mr. Wuerth and in 1917 a second theater which still bears his name, was erected on S. Main St. Both theaters pioneered in showing the early movie “one reelers” of the day.

Mr. Wuerth lived at 340 E. William St. He belonged to the Masons and was a Knight Templar and a member of the Mystic Shrine.

In addition to his daughter, Mr. Wuerth is survived by his wife, Mrs. Martha B. Wuerth.

Funeral services have not yet been set pending the arrival of Mrs. Wuerth and Mrs. Downer from Ohio. The Muehlig chapel is handling the arrangements.