Henry Vorwaldt

FREMONT, HOELCHER, MOELLER, VORWALDT

Posted By: John Stuekerjuergen (email)
Date: 7/7/2024 at 07:35:50

Henry Vorwaldt, Postmaster of St. Paul, Iowa

Given the Honor of Naming the Town

Bernard Heinrich "Henry" Vorwaldt was born on February 19, 1835 in Münster, Kingdom of Prussia, Germany. His mother died when he was only 12. Henry came to the United States in 1850, at the age of 15, living first in Pennsylvania. Initially, he held office jobs. Then came a complete change. In 1854, he was given a job as surveyor for an expedition of General John C. Fremont into Nebraska, Kansas, and the Dakota Territory. His last job before coming to Iowa was as a teacher in Cincinnati.

Henry came to the town that was to become St. Paul, Lee County Iowa in 1860. He was instrumental in the establishment of the town's post office, and served as postmaster for about five years.

While postmaster, Henry said he was given the honor of naming the town. I was always curious why he chose the name of St. Paul, out of all possible options. Even if he were restricted to the Catholic saints, why St. Paul? But in researching Henry Vorwaldt, I noticed that his hometown, Münster, is the site of the Cathedral of St. Paul (in German, St.-Paulus Dom). It is the cathedral church of the Diocese of Münster. The church is regarded as one of two main symbols of the city.

Having lived in Münster until the age of 15, Henry would have been well aware of the cathedral and its dedication to St. Paul. He almost certainly attended Mass in the cathedral a number of times, if not regularly, as he was Catholic. That is likely how St. Paul, Iowa received its name.

Henry A. Vorwaldt (1835-1879) married Wileamena Hoelcher (1828-1910). Their children were August and Margaretha (Moeller). After his tenure with the post office, Henry practiced law in St. Paul.