Father of John Wesley Werling (1907-1977)
William Philip Werling, Jr. was born on February 28, 1883, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to William Phillip Werling and Anna Neblung.[i] In 1900 he lived at 2118 Cypress with his father, mother and 8 siblings (Theodore, Henry, Martin, Henrietta, Julius, Hattie, Herbert, and Lee).[ii] A marriage license was granted to he and Virginia Martinez, daughter of John A. Martinez and Lucy Henry, on September 28, 1904.[iii] He worked as a machinist in 1905, 1907, and 1910, a laborer in 1906, and a foreman in 1908.[iv]
New Orleans in the late 1800s/early 1900s was a community that depended on class where the wealthy had elegant homes along St. Charles Avenue or the French Quarter and working-class people crowded into small homes or tenements. By this time, New Orleans was already famous for its music, food, and festivals. In 1897 Storyville became a well-known red-light district and a cradle of early jazz. In addition, cafés, saloons and social clubs were everywhere in the city. Work during this time revolved around the port where shipments of cotton, sugar, tobacco and bananas were unloaded from ships. Others may have worked in domestic service, trades or small businesses. The city was crowded and noisy, full of music, markets, and river traffic.[v]
In 1910, William and Virginia set up a household at 2127 Lafayette Street with their two children Mamie (age 3) and John (age 2). Virginia’s widowed sister, Viola Martinez (age 23) also lived with them.[vi] William’s occupation was a box maker in a box factory. By 1911, William had established the Werling Manufacturing Company a box manufacturing Company located at 1929 Julia.[vii] He remained manager/president of the company through 1913. In 1912, the company was located at 758 S. Prieur then back to 1929 Julia in 1913.[viii] In 1914, his occupation was a clerk.[ix] It looks like the Werling Manufacturing Company went out of business or dissolved as it is no longer listed in the business directory after 1913. From 1915-1917 he worked as a laborer and a foreman.[x] In 1919 he bought a lot from Miss Annie C. Lambert for $750 in the city’s first district bordered by Banks, Cortes, Bandin, and Telemachus Streets. He also purchased another lot in the same square from Mrs. Nannie S. Harris for $1500.[xi]
By 1920 the growing family had moved to 519 S. Galvez. William (age 36) was a foreman at a lumberyard. Included in the family are his wife, Virginia (age 33), Mamie (age 13), John (age 12), Kenneth (age 13), an adopted son, Thelma (age 7), and Virginia (age 2 yrs 6 mos).[xii] In 1921 he became the superintendent of Trevichs Lumber Co. Ltd. and lived at 620 S. Galvez.[xiii] From 1921, he partnered with Clarence Brandon to establish a contracting company, Werling & Brandon.[xiv] The company existed until 1932 and was, located at 3718-20 Banks Street, made and repaired screens, and did cabinet and general repair work.[xv]
In 1930 William (age 47) and Virginia (age 42) lived at their residence on 3718 Banks with their children Thelma (age 17), adopted son Kenneth (age 23), Virginia (age 12) and William (age 4). Also listed in the residence are twin granddaughters, Shirley and Massie Bulger (age 5).[xvi] He dissolved his partnership with Clarence R. Brandon in May 1932. He purchased the machinery and equipment from Clarence and continued to operate the cabinet works at 3718 Banks St.[xvii] Later that year a legal notice printed in the paper stated William was “adjuged bankrupt on the 13th day of October, 1932, on a petition in the District Court of the United States.”[xviii] In late 1932 William Werling had gone bankrupt. On December 9th add was placed in the paper for a Bankrupt Sale of “Screen and Cabinetmaker’s Machinery and Equipment and Ford Truck.”[xix] Later that month a judicial advertisement to auction off his double two-story residence at 3718-20 Banks street was placed in the paper. [xx]
His occupation in 1933 is listed as a cabinet maker and he lived at 317 S. Telemachus.[xxi] In 1935 he changed occupation to a millworker at Templeman Brothers, Inc. and his residence was 337 N. Murat.[xxii] By 1940 William (age 57) was renting a home at 118 N. Bernadotte with his wife, Virginia (age 53), and granddaughter, Shirley (age 17). His occupation is listed as machinist at a lumber mill.[xxiii] In 1941 his residence was 521 S. Genois St and by 1942 he was living at 3000 Perdido Street.[xxiv] He was probably still working for Templeman Brothers as his World War II Draft Registration Card from 1942 lists his employer as Templeman Lumber Company. In the 1950 census William (age 67) with wife, Virginia (age 64) are living at 435 Nursery in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana.[xxv]
William Philip Werling, Jr. died of a heart attack on November 3, 1950 at the Metairie Hospital in Metairie, Louisiana.[xxvi] He was buried in Greenwood Cemetery, New Orleans, in the Werling family plot (19 Tulip Metairie Venus).[xxvii]
[i] Certificate of Death, Louisiana State Department of Heath, Division of Public Health Statistics, State File No. 13-671, William Philip Werling, private records of Deborah Werling.
[ii] United States 1900 census, Orleans Parish, Louisiana, Population Schedule, New Orleans, Enumeration District 29, 3rd Ward, Sheet No. 12, dwelling 2118 Cypress, dwelling number 254, family number 276, Willie Werling in William Werling household; imaged “United States, Census, 1900,” FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MS5J-MYW?lang=en : accessed 11 January 2026).
[iii] “Louisiana Parish Marriages, 1837-1957,” entry for William Werling and Virginia Martinez, 26 September 1904; imaged “Louisiana, Parish Marriages, 1787-1958,” Family Search (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-95BC-X83?view=index&personArk=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AQKJZ-L43S&action=view&cc=1807364&lang=en&groupId= : accessed on 27 August 2023).
[iv] Soards’ New Orleans City Directory, 1905 (New Orleans, LA: Soards Directory Co., Ltd., 1905, Vol XXXII), page 991, image 486, entry for “Werling, William”, machinist, 2127 Lafayette; 1906 (New Orleans, LA: Soards Directory Co., Ltd., 1906, Vol. XXXIII), page 1003, image 632, entry for “Werling, William”, laborer, 2127 Lafayette; 1907 (New Orleans, LA: Soards Directory Co., Ltd., 1907, Volume XXXIV), page 1021, image 510, entry for “Werling, William”, machinist, 2111 Poydras; 1908 (New Orleans, LA: Soards Directory Co., Ltd., 1908, Volume XXXV), page 1103, image 548, entry for “Werling, William Jr.”, foreman, 756 S. Prieur; 1910 (New Orleans, LA: Soards Directory Co., Ltd., 1910, Volume XXXVII), page 1180, image 585, entry for “Werling, William Jr.”, machinist, 2123 Lafayette; imaged in “U.S. City Directories,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2469/records/971209463?tid=51816404&pid=13259026039&queryId=78d1c56a-cde7-4e08-bc44-7e38db03e393&_phsrc=qCq1062&_phstart=successSource : accessed 11 January 2026)
[v] Synopsis on of “Living in New Orleans in the late 1800s”, ChatGPT, (https://chatgpt.com/c/69642601-4d08-8327-86de-0357440111e7 : generated 11 January 2026).
[vi] 1910 U.S. Census, Orleans Parish, Louisiana, population schedule, New Orleans City, Enumeration District (ED) 44, sheet 8B, dwelling 2123 Lafayette St, Dwelling number 168, family 168, William Werling Household; imaged “United States, Census 1910,” FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MPYD-HW8?lang=en : accessed on 11 January 2026).
[vii] Soards’ New Orleans City Directory, 1911 (New Orleans, LA: Soards Directory Co., Ltd., 1911, Volume XXXVIII), page 1266, images 644 and 830, entry for “Werling, William Jr.”, manager, Werling Mnfg. Co., 2007 Lafayette; imaged in “U.S. City Directories,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2469/records/971209463?tid=51816404&pid=13259026039&queryId=78d1c56a-cde7-4e08-bc44-7e38db03e393&_phsrc=qCq1062&_phstart=successSource : accessed 11 January 2026).
[viii] Soards’ New Orleans City Directory, 1912 (New Orleans, LA: Soards Directory Co., Ltd., 1912, Volume XXXIX), page 1166, images 604 and 656, entry for “Werling, William Jr.”, president, Werling Mnfg. Co., 2017 Lafayette; imaged in “U.S. City Directories,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2469/records/971209463?tid=51816404&pid=13259026039&queryId=78d1c56a-cde7-4e08-bc44-7e38db03e393&_phsrc=qCq1062&_phstart=successSource : accessed 11 January 2026). Note: he is also listed as having an occupation as an engineer.
Soards’ New Orleans City Directory, 1913 (New Orleans, LA: Soards Directory Co., Ltd., 1913, Volume XL), page 1190, images 601 and 647, entry for “Werling, William Jr.”, president, Werling Mnfg. Co., 2017 Lafayette; imaged in “U.S. City Directories,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2469/records/971209463?tid=51816404&pid=13259026039&queryId=78d1c56a-cde7-4e08-bc44-7e38db03e393&_phsrc=qCq1062&_phstart=successSource : accessed 11 January 2026). Note: His brother Theodore is listed as secretary of the company.
[ix] Soards’ New Orleans City Directory, 1914 (New Orleans, LA: Soards Directory Co., Ltd., 1914, Volume XLI), page 1208, image 609, entry for “Werling, William Jr.”, clerk, 2015 Lafayette; imaged in “U.S. City Directories,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2469/records/971209463?tid=51816404&pid=13259026039&queryId=78d1c56a-cde7-4e08-bc44-7e38db03e393&_phsrc=qCq1062&_phstart=successSource : accessed 11 January 2026).
[x] Soards’ New Orleans City Directory, 1915 (New Orleans, LA: Soards Directory Co., Ltd., 1915, Volume XLII), page 1208, image 609, entry for “Werling, William Jr.”, laborer, 2015 Lafayette; 1916 (New Orleans, LA: Soards Directory Co., Ltd., 1916, Volume XLIII), page 1303, image 696, entry for “Werling, William Jr.”, foreman, 2007 Lafayette; 1917 (New Orleans, LA: Soards Directory Co., Ltd., 1917, Volume XLIV), page 1301, image 666, entry for “Werling, William Jr.”, laborer, 2007 Lafayette; imaged in “U.S. City Directories,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2469/records/971209463?tid=51816404&pid=13259026039&queryId=78d1c56a-cde7-4e08-bc44-7e38db03e393&_phsrc=qCq1062&_phstart=successSource : accessed 11 January 2026).
[xi] “Real Estate Transfers”, the Times-Picayune, December 11, 1919, p. 23, col. 3; image copy, Newspapers.com (http://www.newspapers.com : accessed on 11 January 2026).
[xii] 1920 U.S. Census, Orleans Parish, Louisiana, population schedule, New Orleans City, Enumeration District (ED) 47, images 213-214, sheets 7A-7B, ward 3, dwelling 519 S. Galvez, family 150, William Werling Household; imaged, “United States, Census, 1920,” Family Search (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RN6-TQ?view=index&cc=1488411&lang=en&groupId= : accessed 19 February 2025).
[xiii] Soards’ New Orleans City Directory, 1921 (New Orleans, LA: Soards Directory Co., Ltd., 1921, Volume XLVIII), page 529, image 790, entry for “Werling, William”, supt Trevichs Lumber Co Ltd, 620 S Galvez; imaged in “U.S. City Directories,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2469/records/971209463?tid=51816404&pid=13259026039&queryId=78d1c56a-cde7-4e08-bc44-7e38db03e393&_phsrc=qCq1062&_phstart=successSource : accessed 11 January 2026).
[xiv] “Contracting”, the Times-Picayune, December 5, 1921, p. 18, col. 7; image copy, Newspapers.com (http://www.newspapers.com : accessed on 11 January 2026).
[xv] Soards’ New Orleans City Directories, 1921-1932 (New Orleans, LA: Soards Directory Co., Ltd., 1921-1932, Volumes XLVIII- ), page 1303, image 696, entry for “Werling, William Jr.”, foreman, 2007 Lafayette; imaged in “U.S. City Directories,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2469/records/971209463?tid=51816404&pid=13259026039&queryId=78d1c56a-cde7-4e08-bc44-7e38db03e393&_phsrc=qCq1062&_phstart=successSource : accessed 11 January 2026).
[xvi] 1930 U.S. Census, Orleans Parish, Louisiana, population schedule, New Orleans City, Enumeration District (ED) 36-24, sheet 5A, Ward 3, house number 3718 Banks, Dwelling number 59, family 61, William Werling Household; imaged “United States, Census 1930,” FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GR4X-XVB?view=index&personArk=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AXMYB-CHC&action=view&cc=1810731&lang=en&groupId= : accessed on 11 January 2026).
[xvii] Personal notes of Deborah Werling.
[xviii] “Legal Notices”, the New Orleans States, November 14, 1932, p. 14, col. 7; image copy, Genealogy Bank (www.genealogybank.com : accessed on 1 May 2022).
[xix] “By Mathews Bros. Judicial Advertisement Bankrupt Sale”, The Times-Picayune, December 9, 1932, p. 26, cols. 6-8; image copy, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/image/1250807009/?match=1&terms=Werling : accessed on 17 January 2026).
[xx] “Judicial Advertisement”, The Times Picayune, December 18, 1932, p. 5, cols. 7-8; image copy, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/image/1250807945/?match=1&terms=Werling : accessed on 11 January 2026).
[xxi] Soards’ New Orleans City Directory, 1933 (New Orleans, LA: Soards Directory Co., Ltd., 1933, Volume LX), page 1346, image 675, entry for “Wm P”, cabtmkr, 317 S. Telemachus; imaged in “U.S. City Directories,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2469/records/971209463?tid=51816404&pid=13259026039&queryId=78d1c56a-cde7-4e08-bc44-7e38db03e393&_phsrc=qCq1062&_phstart=successSource : accessed 17 January 2026).
[xxii] Soards’ New Orleans City Directory, 1935 (New Orleans, LA: Soards Directory Co., Ltd., 1935, Volume LXI), page 1422, image 720, entry for “Wm P”, millwkr, Templeman Bros Inc, 337 N Murat; imaged in “U.S. City Directories,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2469/records/971209463?tid=51816404&pid=13259026039&queryId=78d1c56a-cde7-4e08-bc44-7e38db03e393&_phsrc=qCq1062&_phstart=successSource : accessed 17 January 2026).
[xxiii] 1940 U.S. Census, Orleans Parish, Louisiana, population schedule, New Orleans City, Enumeration District (ED) 36-59, sheet 5A, Ward 4, house number 118 N. Bernadotte, Dwelling number 116, William Werling Household; imaged “United States, Census 1940,” Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2442/records/121582253?_phcmd=u(%27https://www.ancestry.com/search/?name=William+Phillip_Werling&birth=1883_louisiana-usa_21&death=1950_new+orleans-orleans-louisiana-usa_34322&gender=m&marriage=1904_new+orleans-orleans-louisiana-usa_34322&searchMode=advanced&treePerson=51816404_13259026032&successSource=Search&queryId=7d5a2fcd-e441-413a-a334-c0954eab4b6b%27,%27successSource%27 : accessed on 11 January 2026).
[xxiv] “Orleans Voter Registrations 1941-1948”, William P. Werling; database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-P3N2-R9MC-3?view=index&cc=3326775&lang=en&groupId= : accessed 11 January 2026)
U.S. World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942, William Philip Werling, Serial Number U2366; Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1002/records/11289686?tid=51816404&pid=13259026032&queryId=d609455d-f2d8-4ce4-bea6-1c3a214912a5&_phsrc=qCq1066&_phstart=successSource : accessed on 17 January 2026).
[xxv] 1950 U.S. Census, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, population schedule, Enumeration District (ED) 26-52, sheet 11, house number 435 Nursery, Dwelling number 103, William Werling Household; imaged “United States, Census 1950,” FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHN-LQH7-1WD1?view=index&personArk=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3A6X28-FSTS&action=view&cc=4464515&lang=en&groupId= : accessed 17 January 2026).
[xxvi] Certificate of Death, Louisiana State Department of Heath, Division of Public Health Statistics, State File No. 13-671, William Philip Werling, private records of Deborah Werling.
[xxvii] “Find A Grave Index,” database, Find a Grave (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/90066771/william-philip-werling : accessed 16 January 2026), Memorial ID 90066771, created by Graves, entry for William Philip Werling Sr. (1883-1950), Greenwood Cemetery, New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana. (note: the Find A Grave record incorrectly annotates him as Senior vice Junior).
