MARIA ANNA "Mary Ann" VÖERDING
(née JANNING)

Anna Maria immigrated to the United States with her husband, two sons and brother-in-law Bernard Heinrich Anton Voerding, arriving in New York on September 1, 1851 aboard the ship Emigrant. After immigrating and until approximately 1858/1859, they lived in Walworth County close to the city of Burlington, WI. The family then moved to Minnesota, where they settled first near St. Augusta. In 1869 they came to St. George Township.

There is some confusion as to how many children Henry and Anna Maria actually had -- eight or nine. The History of St. Lawrence Parish states that they had nine, but so far research has shown only eight. Perhaps a child died in infancy or there may be a numerical error in the History of St. Lawrence Parish.

"Henry Voerding, a native of Prussia, was born on the 7th of November, 1818. He enlisted in the Prussian army in 1840, serving for three years. Then resided on a farm until 1851, when he came to America. After living in several counties of Wisconsin, Mr. Voerding came to what is now known as St. Augusta, Stearns County, where he was one of the pioneers of the town. In 1869, he came to his present farm, and the year following, was appointed Post-master, at Duelm, and held that position until 1877. Mr. Voerding was married to Miss Mary Ann Janning, on the 13th of May, 1843. They have had nine children, only four of whom are now living." -- History of the Upper Missippi Valley, (1881) p. 367
 
At the time of the 1880 federal census, Mary Ann was 60 years old and living with her husband Henry and son Matthew in St. George, Benton County, MN. Henry was working as a farmer and his son helped him working as a farm laborer. [Source: NA Film No. T9-0615, p. 169B]
 
At the time of the July 11, 1895 Minnesota state census, Mary A. was 74 years old and living with her husband Henry on a farm in St. George Township. Henry was still working full-time as a farmer. She said she was born in Germany and both her parents were of foreign birth. She stated she had been in Minnesota for 42 years and had been living in the same enumeration district for 30 of those years.