The son of John and Theresa Lorenz, Joseph was born at Breslan, Germany, on November 14, 1858. He had two brothers, Emil and John, and two sisters, Agnes, (Mrs. Julius Heinze, Oriska, North Dakota) and Lena (Mrs. Henry Espeter, Spring Lake, Alberta).
Joseph homesteaded in Weimer Township arid on June 18, 1898 he was married to Mary Agatha Wetzel of Lima, New Jersey. She was born June 18, 1874 and had come to America in 1894.
This marriage was blessed with eight children, six sons and two girls:
Joseph
Theresa (Mrs. Clarence Metcalf)
Emil
George
William
Paul
Julius and
Ann (Mrs. James Fairfield)
Joseph was an adept harness and shoemaker and he was generous with his time on this work for his neighbors, as well as for his own use. A quiet man, he enjoyed picnics, family get-to-gethers, the companionship of his wife and children. His love of the land was apparent in all he did and he died on December 20, 1940 after a walk in the pasture that he had owned for forty nine years.
Mary passed away June 12, 1946.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 143