Ulrich was an early insurance agent and founder of the Southern Oregon Pork Packing Company.

    WILLIAM ULRICH. As a man of excellent business ability, who is shrewd and has been decidedly successful in whatever he has undertaken, Mr. Ulrich, who is extensively engaged in ranching pursuits in the vicinity of Eagle Point, Ore., may be rightfully termed a self-made man in the truest sense of the word, for at an early age he was deprived by death of his father and without educational advantages or capital he was forced to make his own way in the world. He was born in Burlington, Iowa, January 18, 1858, and two years later was brought to a home in the Far West by his parents, Christian and Barbara Ulrich, who took up their abode in Jackson County, Ore., in 1860. They settled in Jacksonville, where William grew to manhood. He attended the common schools of that city, but obtained but a limited education, for in 1869 his father died and thus early in life the son was thrown upon his own resources and compelled to work for his living. Obtaining employment on a nearby ranch as a chore boy, he worked one year for his board and clothes, after which he was paid wages, remaining on the same ranch for three additional years, and the following year he was employed in and about the mining camps. He then became apprenticed to learn the baker's trade in Jacksonville, and he followed that line of work there for five years. About that time the railroad was being built in that vicinity, and Mr. Ulrich followed truck teaming for about a year in connection with the railroad camps. Selling his team he went to Medford, and in 1885 he opened a fire insurance office there and did fairly well at this business. He was the organizer and promoter of the Southern Oregon Pork Packing Company, which did a flourishing business in Medford, and for five years was its efficient manager, while at the same time he conducted a retail butcher shop. He subsequently formed a partnership with Mr. Slinger and engaged in the cattle business, and together they carried on a profitable business until the death of the latter, whereupon Mr. Ulrich purchased the interest of his former partner and continued in the business alone. His home ranch in the neighborhood of Eagle Point contains twelve hundred and twenty acres and many improvements have been made upon the farm by Mr. Ulrich since taking possession of it, and it now ranks among the best in this section. He also owns an interest in another ranch up in the mountains, which at the present writing furnishes grazing for about six hundred head of choice Hereford cattle.
    The marriage of Mr. Ulrich took place in June, 1884, with Miss Emma A. Milner. Their family now consists of five children, whose names are William L., Earl, Annie, Gertrude and Loraine. In politics Mr. Ulrich is a  Democrat, and his interest in the welfare of Medford was made manifest by his many worthy acts while a member of the city council, giving, as he did, his support to any and all measures that had a tending to better the condition of the city or the community at large. In fraternal orders, he is allied with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, being a charter member of Banner Lodge No. 23, of Jacksonville, Ore.
Portrait and Biographical Record of Western Oregon, Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904, page 836