Meier & Matson Family History

Meier Family History
Joseph Stephen Lorsung
Joseph Stephen Lorsung was born September 9, 1862 in Millersville, Minnesota, to Peter Fidelius Lorsung and
Katherine Miller . Joseph grew up on his parent's homestead in Millerville, Minnesota. His mother was born in
Pennsylvania, his father immigrated to America in 1841 from Germany. The home was full, with seven children and
Joseph's grandmother, Katherine Michelt, all under one roof. Joseph's mother would die in June of 1880, she left behind
her husband, 50, and children: Hannah, 20, Joseph, 17, Anne, 14, Peter, 12, Mary, 9, John, 7 and baby Anton, 2.
It was here, in his home town, that he would meet Pauline Amelia Meilke. Pauline was born in Germany, December 2,
1867 to Albert and Rose Mielke. In 1875, Pauline came to Minnesota with her family. She married Joseph,
January 7, 1885 and had fourteen children with him. After the birth of Barbara Pauline in January of 1899, Joseph moved
his family west. Leaving with his brother Peter P. Lorsung and his family; the party settled first in Duncan County in
Spokane, Washington. Peter P. Lorsung's descendants are still there to this day. Joseph decided to move his family further
west to Stevens, Washington by 1890, were he took a job designing wells. By 1900 the family had moved again, living
in Hillsboro, Oregon. Joseph worked as a contractor carpenter with his oldest son, Peter, who was 23. In a rented home,
three more children were born, Birtha, Edward and William. Sadly Ludwick had died before his tenth birthday. Pauline
would have her last child after the age of 43, making fourteen in all.
By 1920 Joseph moved again to Marshfield, Oregon, to work as a carpenter on a school house. It was here, that they
would settle for good. Their new neighbors would be his son, Edward Lorsung and his wife, Stella. Joseph's oldest son
Peter never married, and lived with them all his life. Joseph died June 21, 1931 at the age of 69.
His wife, Pauline would continue to live in their home until her death, September 17, 1960. Both are buried in
Marshfield, Oregon in the family's plot.
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Sources: 1. Washington State Territory Census 1890, Stevens County, Washington 2. United States Federal Census, Stevens County 1900,
Hillsboro 1910, Marshfield 1920, 1930
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