John Lorenz was born in Breslau, Germany, February 17, 1836. He received his schooling and was raised to manhood there. He was married in 1856, and after his first wife's death, he was married again in 1872. John lived in Germany until 1884, when his pioneer spirit prompted him and his wife to sail for the U.S.A. They settled in St. George Township, Minnesota. Then in 1898, they moved to Valley City, North Dakota. They lived on a farm 2 miles west of Oriska, became a pioneer settler and worked the land. There were five children in the family, three sons, Joseph, Oriska, North Dakota, Emil, Valley City and later Buffalo, North Dakota, John, Oriska, and later Wilmar, Minnesota and two daughters, Agnes (Mrs. Julius Hienze Sr.) Oriska, and Lena (Mrs. Henry Espeter) Spring Lake, Alberta, Canada. In 1904, John Lorenz Sr. retired and moved to Melrose, Minnesota. His second wife died in 1914. John Lorenz Sr. passed away in 1918. They are buried at Wilmar, Minnesota.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 143