Franz Eugen Laurier

b. 5 April 1863, d. 4 July 1943

Franz Eugen Laurier, 1863-1943
  • Franz Eugen Laurier was born on 5 April 1863 in Speyer, Rheinpfalz.
  • He was known as Eugene in the United States.
  • Franz Eugen Laurier and Friedrich Wilhelm Laurier arrived in the Port of New York on 20 October 1880, from Hamburg, aboard the Hamburg-Amerika Linie SS Lessing (B. Voss, master), listed on the passenger manifest as Friedr and Ludwig Laurie.
  • Franz Eugen Laurier and Friedrich Wilhelm Laurier appeared in the '1882-1883 Newport, Kentucky, City Directory at 810 Dayton listed as a porter rooming at that address. In the same directory, Eugene Laurier is listed as a tinner boarding at 116 Orchard. It is possible that his brother Fred was erroneously listed as Eugene at 116 Orchard, which was the residence of Henry Hofstetter who witnessed Fred's 1882 marriage..
  • He witnessed the marriage of Elisabeth Umstetter and Friedrich Wilhelm Niemand on 13 May 1884 in Newport, Campbell County, Kentucky, at St. Stephen's Catholic Church; with B. A. Baumeister officiating.
  • He was naturalized on 3 May 1888 at New York City, New York, while living in Suspension Bridge and employed as a druggist.
  • He visited his homeland and accompanied his family back to the US. in 1888.
  • Franz Peter Laurier and Luisa Hofstetter, accompanied by Franz Eugen Laurier, Maria Luise Laurier and Ludwig Friedrich Laurier, departed in June 1888 from the Port of Bremen, Bremen, aboard the Norddeutscher Lloyd SS Aller.
  • Franz Peter Laurier and Luisa Hofstetter arrived in the Port of New York on 7 July 1888, accompanied by Franz Eugen Laurier, Maria Luise Laurier and Ludwig Friedrich Laurier with mother and daughter Luise traveling 2nd cabin, and the others in steerage.
  • The following appeared on 17 December 1888 in The Buffalo Courier: Eugene Laurier is to be married next Wednesday afternoon at 6 o'clock, in this city, to Miss Fredericka Vorwerk of Spire, Germany. The ceremony will be performed by the Rev. Oscar A. Gallenkamp.
  • He married Augusta Friederika Vorwerk, daughter of Friedrich Ludwig Vorwerk and Maria Josephina Luise Theresia Schwab, on 19 December 1888 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York, with Rev. Oscar A. Gallenkamp, of Zion Lutheran Church, officiating.
  • Friederika Vorwerk's dowry included a set of Zwiebelmuster "onion pattern" Meissen china, which is treasured by the Laurier family. Two chairs also were amongst her dowry items, and have been in continuous use by family members through the years, now in Texas, known as "Auntie's chair" and "Uncle's chair."
  • According to family lore, the large framed and glazed Berlin woolwork classical needlepoint (31"x37") that has been shared back and forth amongst family members over the years was worked by Friederika's mother Josephine and presented to the clergyman who performed her wedding service, and was later returned to the Laurier family.
  • Franz Eugen Laurier and Augusta Friederika Vorwerk appeared in the New York state census of 16 February 1892 in Niagara, Niagara County, New York. Other members of the household included Carl Eugene Laurier.
  • He was a druggist, according to the 1892 census.
  • Following his graduation from Buffalo College of Pharmacy, August Vorwerk joined his brother-in-law Eugen Laurier as a partner in his drugstore on Main Street in Niagara Falls. Some items from the old drugstore are treasured by his descendants.
  • Eugene Laurier applied for a US passport, for himself and on behalf of his wife Friederika and sons Carl and Ludwig, on 22 January 1897, in the City and County of New York, intending to go abroad temporarily. The passport was issued on the following day.
  • Eugene, Friederika, Carl and Ludwig Laurier, traveling 2nd cabin aboard the SS Berlin, arrived in the Port of New York on 27 April 1897 from Southampton.
  • The Lauriers in the early days amongst the greenery in their yard in Niagara Falls.
  • Franz Eugen Laurier and Augusta Friederika Vorwerk appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at 1375 Linwood Avenue. Other members of the household included Carl Eugene Laurier and Ludwig August Laurier. Also in the household was one female domestic servant.
  • He was a druggist, according to the 1900 census.
  • The following appeared on 15 October 1904 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: On Tuesday night, October 18th, Mr. Ludwig Laurier, one of New York's most celebrated violinists, will be heard in this city in a concert to be given under the auspices of the Germany Lutheran Zion's Church at the church, corner Michigan Avenue and Tenth Street. Mr. Laurier finished his musical education at the Royal Academy of Music of Berlin, Germany, where for four years he was a pupil of the greatest living teacher, Herr Josef Joachim. He afterwards was musical instructor to the sons and daughters of Berlin's highest notibility.
         Mr. Laurier will be ably assisted by an organist of national reputation, Mr. William Bauer of New York. This will be the foremost musical event of the season and no lover of high class music and no student of music should fail to attend. Price of admission, 50c. Tickets for sale at the pharmacies of W. M. Rowen, Stine & Duffy, A. Vorwerk, Eugen Laurier, also at Jenss Brothers dry goods store. Doors will be closed after concert has started at 8:15.
  • Franz Eugen Laurier and Augusta Friederika Vorwerk appeared in the New York state census of 1 June 1905 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at 1375 Thirteenth Street. Other members of the household included Carl Eugene Laurier and Ludwig August Laurier.
  • He was a druggist, according to the 1905 census.
  • Josephina Vorwerk visited Niagara Falls in 1905, two months after the death of her husband, departing Cuxhaven on 28 October aboard the Hamburg-Amerika Linie Steamship Moltke, and arriving in the port of New York on 8 November. She was accompanied on the voyage by her son-in-law Eugene Laurier. Josephina's nephew Oskar Schwamberger was master of the Moltke a few years later.
  • The following appeared on 26 June 1906 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: The first session of the 28th annual convention of the New York State Pharmaceutical Association opened in the old dining room at the Cataract House this morning with a very good attendance. . . . Eugene Laurier, one of the local pharmacists, and president of the local branch of the State Association, welcomed the delegates. . .
  • A photograph taken during 1906 of the Vorwerk and Laurier families celebrates the birth of Frederick Augustus Vorwerk. Josephina Schwab Vorwerk, mother of August Vorwerk and Friederika Vorwerk Laurier, also appears in the photo, having arrived in the US in November 1905 for an extended visit following the death of her husband Friedrich in August 1905. Pictured are Carl Laurier, Josephina Vorwerk, Elizabeth Kammerer Vorwerk, Friedericka Vorwerk Laurier holding infant Frederick, and Eugene Laurier. August Vorwerk likely was the photographer.
  • A photograph was made of the August Vorwerk and Eugen Laurier families about 1909.
  • The following appeared on 19 July 1909 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Mr. and Mrs. August Vorwerk and children of Ontario avenue, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Laurier of Linwood avenue, and Mr. and Mrs. Ludwig Laurier left this morning for a two weeks' sojourn at Alexandria Bay.  And on the 29th, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Laurier of Linwood avenue, Mr. and Mrs. August Vorwerk and children of Ontario avenue, and Mr. and Mrs. Ludwig Laurier, have returned from an outing at Wilson, N.Y. 
  • A photogaphic portrait was made of the Laurier family about 1910.
  • The following appeared on 5 April 1910 in the Buffalo Evening News: [Died] April 5, 1910, Louise Laurier (nee Hostetter), widow of Franz Laurier; mother of Fritz Laurier of Newport, Ky; Mrs. Edward L. A. Schwabe, Mrs. E. T. Becker of Holder, Fla; Eugene Laurier, Niagara Falls, N. Y; Mrs. Theodore Mulz, Brooklyn, N. Y; Ludwig Laurier, New York city; aged 76 years. Funeral from the residence of her son-in-law, Dr. Edward L. A. Schwabe, 417 Swan street, Thursday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. Burial at the convenience of the family.
  • Franz Eugen Laurier and Augusta Friederika Vorwerk appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Niagara Falls, New York, at 1375 Linwood Avenue and one female domestic servant.. Other members of the household included Carl Eugene Laurier and Ludwig August Laurier.
  • He was a druggist, according to the 1910 census.
  • August Vorwerk and Eugene Laurier visited Germany in 1911, returning to New York aboard the Hamburg-American Linie SS Blücher, departing Hamburg on 2 September, and arriving in the Port of New York on the 12th. During the trip, they were photographed onboard a ship with a ship's officer who was thought to have been August's (and Eugen's wife's) cousin HAL captain Oskar Schwamberger, but careful examination of later photographs has cast doubt on that identification.
  • Franz Eugen Laurier and Augusta Friederika Vorwerk appeared in the 1915 New Jersey state census in Montvale Borough, Bergen County, New Jersey. Other members of the household included Carl Eugene Laurier and Ludwig August Laurier.
  • The following appeared on 2 August 1916 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Laurier of Montvale, N. J., formerly of this city, are the guests of Mr. Gustave Vorwerk of Ontario avenue. Mr. Laurier is manager of Colgate & Co.'s New York office. Carl Laurier is private secretary to Dr. Duane, New York City, and Ludwig Laurier is at present serving Uncle Sam on the border at Douglass, Ariz.
  • Franz Eugen Laurier and Augusta Friederika Vorwerk appeared in the US federal census of 1 January 1920 in Montvale, Bergen County, New Jersey, at Grand Avenue. Other members of the household included Carl Eugene Laurier.
  • He was an office manager, according to the 1920 census.
  • The following appeared on 18 August 1921 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Laurier of Newark, N. J., are the guests of Mrs. A. Vorwerk of No. 1630 Ontario avenue. Mr. and Mrs. Laurier were formerly residents of this city. Mr. Laurier is now general manager of the Colgate and company.
         It is worthy of note that the 18th would have been the 52nd birthday of Friederika Laurier's brother August Vorwerk.
  • Franz Eugen Laurier appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1930 in Montvale, Bergen County, New Jersey, at Chestnut Ridge Road.
  • Eugene and Friederika Laurier departed Hamburg aboard the Hamburg-Amerika Linie SS Hamburg on 6 June 1930, and arrived in the Port of New York on the 14th. Apparently, they had been visiting with Friederika's cousin Oskar Schwamberger at the time of death, and had planned to return with him to the United States on the Hamburg's first voyage after the reconstruction of her machinery.
  • The Lauriers had a commemorative portrait made in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary.
  • The following appeared on 10 September 1931 in The Niagara Falls Gazette: Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Laurier of Montvale, N. J., are guests of Mrs. Elizabeth Vorwerk, of Ontario avenue.
  • The following appeared in a local newspaper, in December 1938: Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Laurier, well-known residents of Upper Montvale, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary Sunday afternoon. The happy couple who have resided at Upper Montvale for the past 23 years, were married December 19, 1888, at Speier, in southwestern Germany. Both were born on the same day in the same town in which they also were married. They have two sons, Carl, well known pianist, and Ludwig. Mr. Laurier is also related to Sir Wilfred Laurier, one time Premier of Canada.
         Before coming to this section Mr. Laurier was engaged in the drug store business in Niagara Falls, and was for more than 16 years general manager of the New York office of Colgate & Co., perfumers.
         More than 50 relatives, friends and neighbors called at the home Sunday afternoon and evening and extended their congratulations and best wishes, and the honored couple received many beautiful flowers, handsome gifts, and anniversary cards.
         An informal musical program was presented, the guest artist being Mr. Ludwig Laurier, former concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera House orchestra and conductor of the favorite hour known as the "Slumber Hour" on WJZ a few years ago. Mr. Laurier, a brother of the honored groom, accompanied by Carl Laurier, his nephew, who is also well-known in musical activities, gave a masterly rendition of the the Max Bruch Concerto No. 1, and as a special gift for the bride and groom splendidly played "La Cinquintain" by Gabriel-Marie.
         Frederick Loescher, well known county tenor and director, sang several operatic and concert selections by Schubert and Verdi, and scored with the singing of Jacques Wolfe's "Shortenin' Bread". Later in the evening Mr. Loescher also gave several comic recitations.
         Among the guests present were Mr. and Mrs. Ludwig Laurier of New York, Mr. and Mrs. Ludwig Laurier, daughter Lois, and sons, Eugene and Ludwig, Jr., of Park Ridge; Carl Laurier and son, Carl, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Charles Gray, Mr. and Mrs. Russell Price, Mr. and Mrs. Norman C. Cooper, and John R. Foxlee, all of Montvale; Mrs. Bertha C. Forbes of Pearl River, Frank P. Schwalm, Mrs. Clara S. Loughrey and Miss Ethel Schwalm of New City; Mr. and Mrs. Ellsworth Turse and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Dick of Park Ridge; Frederick Leoscher, of Pearl River; Mrs. John Carlock and daughter, Mrs. Arthur Krausse, Mr. and Mrs. James S. Mittag and daughter, Barbara, and son, James. Jr., and Mr. and Mrs. Irving Mittag and son, James, and daughter, Maryllyn, all of Ridgewood, N. J.
         The party broke up at an early hour with all wishing the happy couple many more years of married happiness.
  • In a letter dated 27 January 1941 to Elsa Vorwerk in Niagara Falls at 1638 Ontario Avenue, Franz Eugen Laurier wrote from Montvale, Bergen County, New Jersey: Dear Elsa:  The Old Proverb "You can't Keep a Good Man down" can just as well be applied to a Good and ambitious Women, as proven by you Dear Elsa; public recognition is putting the spotlight on you. The honor is well deserved and we are proud of you -- Your smiling face is splendidly reproduced in that newspaper clipping (we shall carefully preserve it).  We wish and hope that this unique concert will be a great success and an inspiration for closer union and cooperation between the Christian people in Old Niagara. There is nothing of importance to report.  We thank you Dear Folks for the ever useful Christmas present you sent us.  Our Xmas eve Celebration was much subdued, the absence of Poor Bootie cast a gloom over it all.  Aunt Georgette, also Madeleine, Dan and the Babies Michael J. and Nancy spent Sunday before New Year with us;  they paid a more extended visit to Dan's Parents in Elm Hurst? L.I. The Navigators in Washington are trying hard to run our Ship of State into hostile Waters.  I wonder wether or no Dear John Bull would do as much for us. I hope the whole dirty mess will be cleaned up before Our Boys have to sail for foreign shores.   How about Frederick, has he been called to the colors? With his great Knowledge of Radio he would be a good man and should land a good assignment. How about it Frederick? We are well and this hasn't been a bad Winter so far. Good bye! Love to you All and Regards to any of our Old Friends you may meet. Uncle Gene & Aunt Fredericka.  P.S. Will the Concert be on the Air? 
  • In December 1941, Frederick and Carolyn Vorwerk relocated from Buffalo to Long Branch, New Jersey, following Frederick's orders to report for civilian service at Fort Monmouth. Likely this photo of Frederick with his aunt and uncle Friedrika and Eugen Laurier was taken soon after his arrival in New Jersey.
  • During the summer of 1942, Elizabeth Kammerer Vorwerk, and daughter Elsa, visited her sister- and brother-in-law Friederika and Eugen Laurier in Montvale, New Jersey. Also pictured are their son Carl Laurier and Carolyn Wilson Vorwerk, whose husband Frederick likely was the photographer.
    Elizabeth Vorwerk, Friederika & Eugen Laurier, Carl Laurier, Carolyn Vorwerk and Elsa Vorwerk, in Montvale, Summer 1942.
  • Franz Eugen Laurier became a widower at the 15 October 1942 death of his wife Augusta Friederika Vorwerk.
  • Franz Eugen Laurier died on 4 July 1943 at age 80 in Park Ridge, Bergen County, New Jersey, . His death was officially witnessed by Ludwig August Laurier.
  • He was interred at Westwood Cemetery, Westwood, Bergen County, New Jersey.
  • Photographs of present-day Speyer.
  • Last Edited: 21 Jan 2017

Family: Augusta Friederika Vorwerk b. 9 April 1863, d. 15 October 1942