Edward W. Ihrig, of Oshkosh, was born in Vinland, Winnebago county, Wisconsin, on July 11, 1870. His father, William, born in 1847, and his mother, Minnie (Eilers) Ihrig, were both natives of Germany, and came to Oshkosh while young. William Ihrig took up land in Vinland township and became a farmer; he was accidentally killed while logging in 1873. Mrs. Ihrig, our subject's mother, is now (1908) living in Oshkosh. She was married a second time and is now Mrs. Gus Schoos.

Edward W. was one of a family of three children. He has one sister living- Jennie, wife of William Lewis, of Kankakee, Illinois. He was educated in the German Lutheran schools of Oshkosh, the Third Ward school and in the Oshkosh Business College. His first employment was in the sawmill of Radford Brothers. He later entered the old Union National Bank of Oshkosh as a collector and bookkeeper, and afterwards went to Lincoln, Nebraska, as a representative of the Wisconsin Furniture and Coffin Company, remaining there some nine years. Following that he engaged in the furniture business in southern Nebraska. In 1893 he returned to Oshkosh and became a traveling representative of several leading local firms, covering Wisconsin and northern Michigan. In July, 1902, he organized the Edward Ihrig Company, of which he became and still remains the secretary and business manager. Since its organization the capital of the company has been increased from $10,000 to $150,000. Headquarters are now at Milwaukee, with branches at Oshkosh and Omro, Wisconsin. He is also secretary and treasurer of the Pine-Ihrig Machine Company, which he organized and located in Oshkosh. He is a member of numerous fraternal and other organizations, Including the I.O.O.F., the B.P.O.E., Eagles, Fraternal Reserve Association and Equitable Fraternal Union, Traveling Protective Association, Badger Club, Oshkosh Yacht Club, Oshkosh Power Boat Club, and of the last-named club is vice-commodore. He is also a member of the United Commercial Travelers' Association.

Mr. Ihrig was married in 1891 to Miss Alma, daughter of Mr. Harm B. Look, of Lincoln, Nebraska. They have one child, Lester H. Ihrig.