Born in Baltimore, Maryland to German immigrants,[1] Schirm attended the public schools.

He also served as member of the Maryland House of Delegates from 1898 to 1900, and as counsel to the board of police commissioners of the city of Baltimore in 1899 and 1900.

He later served as delegate to the Bull Moose National Convention in 1912, and continued the practice of law in Baltimore, where he died.

On March 8, 1891, Schirm married Annie Maude Charlton in Lily Dale, New York.

[2] This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress