Ludwig Wilhelm Philipp Franz Vorwerk

b. 20 June 1832, d. 21 May 1887
  • The following appeared in The Saint Paul Daiuly Globe: (Minneapolis News) Louis Vorwerk is building two fine stores on Fifth street northeast, adjoining the grocery store which he now occupies.
  • Ludwig Wilhelm Philipp Franz Vorwerk was born on 20 June 1832 in Wetzlar, Rheinpreußen.
  • He was known as Louis in the United States.
  • Ludwig Wilhelm Philipp Franz Vorwerk arrived summer 1852, according to Bernd Lindenthal's list of emigrants from Wetzlar, described as "Vorwerck, Ludwig, born 20.6.1832, farm steward and brewer."
  • He was known as Louis Vorwerk in the United States.
  • He married Johanna Faber, daughter of John M. Faber and Elizabeth (?), on 10 October 1856 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, at City Hall.
  • Ludwig Wilhelm Philipp Franz Vorwerk and Johanna Faber appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1860 in Madelia, Brown (later Wantonwan) County, Minnesota, enumerated with the surname "Jorwerth.". Other members of the household included Frederick William Vorwerk and Robert Vorwerk. Value of real estate was $500, personal property $300.
  • He was a farmer, according to the 1860 census.
  • According to family lore, the family's relocation from Madelia to St. Anthony was inspired by the 1862 Sioux uprising.
  • Louis Vorwerk, age 31, was registered for the draft in June/July 1863, in the 2nd Congressional District of Minnesota, while living in St. Anthony, 1st Ward.
  • He was elected 1st Ward Alderman of St. Anthony on 6 April 1865.
  • Ludwig Wilhelm Philipp Franz Vorwerk appeared in the Minnesota state census of 1 June 1865 in St. Anthony (later Minneapolis), Hennepin County, Minnesota, enumerated with the surname "Borvach.". Other members of the household included Godfrey Vorwerk, Robert Vorwerk and Frederick William Vorwerk.
  • Ludwig Wilhelm Philipp Franz Vorwerk and Johanna Faber, appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1870 in St. Anthony (later Minneapolis), Minnesota. Other members of the household included Frederick William Vorwerk, Louis Vorwerk and Elizabeth Eva Vorwerk.
  • He was a laborer, according to the 1870 census.
  • Ludwig Wilhelm Philipp Franz Vorwerk appeared in the 1873 Minneapolis, Minnesota, City Directory at Marshall Street, corner 16th Avenue North listed as a finisher..
  • Ludwig Wilhelm Philipp Franz Vorwerk and Johanna Faber appeared in the Minnesota state census of 1 May 1875 in Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, enumerated with the surname "Varwich.". Other members of the household included Frederick William Vorwerk, Elizabeth Eva Vorwerk, Louis Vorwerk and Fredericka Dorothea Augusta Vorwerk.
  • The following appeared on 24 October 1878 in The Minneapolis Tribune: Louis Vorwerk, an East Side Grocer, Severely Injured. A frightful runaway accident occurred on Nort Washington Avenue this afternoon whereby Louis Vorwerk, an East Side grocer, doing business on Fifth street, between Third and Fourth Avenues Northeast, was severely injured.
         Mr. Vorwerk and wife were driving up the avenue when the horse became frightened, and despite the united efforts of both people the animal ran over a wood pile, throwing them out. Mr. Vorwerk struck on a post on his side and fell to the ground, with his wife on top of him.
         The assembled spectators picked him up and carried him to a fur store, where physicians soon appeared and attended to his wants. Although the injuries are severe they hope to save his life. Mrs. Vorwerk was but slightly injured, but had a narrow escape.
  • Ludwig Wilhelm Philipp Franz Vorwerk appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1880 in Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, at 5th Street. Other members of the household included Johanna Faber, Frederick William Vorwerk, Elizabeth Eva Vorwerk, Louis Vorwerk and Fredericka Dorothea Augusta Vorwerk.
  • He was a grocer, according to the 1880 census.
  • The following appeared on 25 September 1881 in The Minneapolis Tribune: (Republican Caucuses, First Ward) In the Second precinct, where a misunderstanding occurred at a previous caucus, it was determined to acquiesce in that result, with the understanding that Dr. A. D. Hinsch and Lewis Vorwerk be appointed to fill the vacancies occasioned by the resignation of two delegates.
  • Ludwig Wilhelm Philipp Franz Vorwerk appeared in the 1884 Minneapolis, Minnesota, City Directory at 330 NE 5th listed as proprietor of a meat market..
  • Ludwig Wilhelm Philipp Franz Vorwerk and Johanna Faber appeared in the Minnesota state census of 1 May 1885 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Other members of the household included Elizabeth Eva Vorwerk, Louis Vorwerk and Fredericka Dorothea Augusta Vorwerk.
  • Ludwig Wilhelm Philipp Franz Vorwerk became a widower at the 5 September 1885 death of his wife Johanna Faber.
  • The following appeared on 7 September 1885 in The Minneapolis Tribune: The funeral of Mrs. Johannah Vorwerk, whose death was announced yesterday morning, will take place this afternoon at 2 o'clock, from the residence, at 332 Fifth street northeast.
  • Ludwig Wilhelm Philipp Franz Vorwerk died on 21 May 1887 at age 54 in Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, at 332 Fifth Street at his residence.
  • He was interred at Lakewood Cemetery, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota. Original burial was at Maple Hill Cemetery.
  • The following appeared on 22 May 1887 in The Minneapolis Tribune: Louis Vorwerk died yesterday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock at the residence, 322 Fifth street, between Third and fourt avenues northeast. The funeral will take place tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock from the residence under the auspices of the Robert Bloom Odd Fellows. Interment at Maple Hill Cemetery.
  • The Vorwerk family monument overlooks individual grave markers at Lakewood Cemetery.
  • Louis Vorwerk was born in Germany, June 20th, 1832. Was educated in his native country, and came to America the summer of 1852. He lived three years in the state of New York, and three years in Chicago. He came to Minnesota in 1858, and located on a farm in Watonwan county, in which he remained until the Indian outbreak, in 1862, when he was driven from his home. Came to Minneapolis and worked in the furniture business until he accumulated enough to begin business for himself, then opened a grocery at 330 Fifth street north-east. His marriage to Miss Jennie Faber occurred October 10th, 1856, at Chicago. They have four children living: Frederick, Elizabeth E., Louis W. and Fredericka D. A.
         -- from History of Hennepin County and The City of Minneapolis, published 1881.
  • Last Edited: 24 Jun 2017

Family: Johanna Faber b. July 1833, d. 5 September 1885