Augusta Friederika Vorwerk

b. 9 April 1863, d. 15 October 1942

Augusta Friedrika Laurier, 1863-1942

  • Augusta Friederika Vorwerk was born on 9 April 1863 in Speyer, Rheinpfalz.
  • She was baptized/christened on 10 April 1863 in Speyer, Rheinpfalz.
  • She was known as Friedericka.
  • Augusta Friederika Vorwerk arrived in the Port of New York on 10 November 1888, aboard the SS Lahn from Bremen, traveling in 2nd cabin with three pieces of luggage.
  • 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.
  • She married Franz Eugen Laurier, son of Franz Peter Laurier and Luisa Hofstetter, 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.
  • 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 following appeared on 21 May 1897 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Miss [sic] Eugene Laurier of Elmwood and Mrs. August Vorwerk of North Main Street were in Buffalo yesterday. 
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 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.
  • Augusta Friederika Vorwerk died on 15 October 1942 at age 79 in Montvale, Bergen County, New Jersey, at Spring Valley Road.
  • Franz Eugen Laurier became a widower at her death.
  • She was interred on 17 October 1942 at Westwood Cemetery, Westwood, Bergen County, New Jersey.
  • The following appeared on 31 December 1942 in The Niagara Falls Gazette: [Died] Oct. 15, Mrs. Frederick Vorwerk Laurier, former well known Falls resident, at Mintvale, N. J.
  • Photographs of present-day Speyer.
  • Last Edited: 21 Jan 2017

Family: Franz Eugen Laurier b. 5 April 1863, d. 4 July 1943