Joseph Hirt was born in Ottenhoefen, Germany to Albin Hirth and​ Rosalia Schnurr. He died at the age of 64 in the small community of Salty, just outside of Thorndale Texas.

He married Bertha von Roth in Germany, about 1873.

Joseph Hirt became the father of 12 children:
Emile Hirt - Otthaefen Germany (May 6, 1876)
Rosa Hirt - Otthaefen Germany (Sep 1, 1877)
Fannie Hirt - Ottenhaefen Germany (Dec 25, 1878)
Joseph Hirt Jr. - Ottenhaefen Germany (Dec 22, 1879)
August Hirt - Missouri USA (Oct 15, 1882)
Emma Hirt - Salty TX (Aug 21, 1884)
Louise Hirt - Salty TX (Jan 7, 1886)
Mary Hirt - Salty TX (Sep 12, 1887)
Minnie Hirt - Salty TX (Sep 7, 1889)
Willie Hirt - Salty TX (Nov 6, 1890)
Max Leo Hirt - Salty TX (Feb 4, 1892)
Emil Hirt - Salty TX (Sep 7, 1897)

Joseph & Bertha immigrated to the US Mar 8, 1881.

Destination: New York, arrived on the vessel Labrador.

It is probable that Joseph and his family made the trek to Texas via rail to St Louis and Hannibal, Missouri, than on to Moberly, Kansas City and Sedlia over the widely publicized "Great Immirant Route" The Missouri, Kansas and Texas "Katy" railway. It is also possible that the tickets had been purchased in advance in Germany and that they had planned in advance to settle in Milam County near Rockdale. (Source: History of Milam County, p 52, from "Beckhusen-Aschenbeck" entry submitted by Mrs Lucille Huntsman and Eugene A Beckheusen)

They resided in Salty, TX Jan 1, 1883

For some unknown reason Emilie stayed behind in Germany until 1892, when she came to the US, she landed at New York on the vessel "Salier" Accompanied by her Grandfather Franz Joseph Roth.

Joseph Hirt petitioned the court to become a citizen in Milam County TX Feb 22, 1909. He was granted citizenship May 24 1909.

Joseph's parents:
Albin Hirth and​ Rosalia Schnurr who remained in Germany.

Joseph's Siblings:
Sophia Hirth Bohnert
Jan 17 1840
Marianna Hirth
Mar 27 1842 - Sep 26 1842
Bernhard Hirth
Jul 19 1843 - Nov 28 1934
Maria Anna Hirth Ruh
May 12 1846
Catharina Hirt
Sep 2 1849
Josef Frank Hirt Sr
May 1 1853 - Oct 4 1917
Regina Hirt Kashamm
Sep 7 1856 - Jun 21 1946

Joseph's Grandparents:
Anton Hirth and Marianna Braun who remained in Germany.