WURZLOW, Edwin C., Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by Mike Miller
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Louisiana:  Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and
Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 478-479.  Edited by Alc?e
Fortier, Lit.D.  Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.

Wurzlow, Edwin Clarence, clerk of court, Houma, Terrebonne parish, La., was
born at the city where he now resides; son of August and Emeline (Belanger)
Wurzlow, the former of whom was born at Berlin, Prussia, German Empire, where
he learned the trade of a tailor.  In 1856 he came to America, locating at
Galveston, Tex., but because of the prevalence of yellow fever at that place
remained there only a short while, in the same year, in fact, removing to
Louisiana and locating at Houma, where he established a tailoring business and
conducted this until 1880, when he became proprietor of Wurzlow's Commercial
Hote
l, thereafter conducting this hotel business until his death, 1898.  He
erected the 3-story brick building that bears his name at the present time,
and where the leading hotel of the city is located.  His wife was a native of
Terrebonne parish and a daughter of Hubert Belanger, who was also born in the
same parish and who became a large sugar cane planter.  Hubert Belanger was
the originator of the idea of constructing a canal waterway from Houma to New
Orleans, and with his employes performed the actual labor of digging what was
for many years as Belanger Canal Co.  His father, Hubert Belanger, Sr. was of
Norman-French parentage and came from Canada about the beginning of the 19th
century, establishing his home where the city of Houma was afterward built. 
He was one of the earliest settlers in Terrebonne parish and was an important
factor in the upbuilding of that portion of the state.  Naturally, he was one
of the founders of the town of Houma, it being located upon his land.  He,
together with Richard Grinage, a brother-in-law, donated the 10-acre plot of
land upon which the parish buildings now stand.  He was a descendant of the
noted French navigator, Cartier.  Edwin Clarence Wurzlow was educated in
public and private schools at Houma, on leaving which he taught a country
school in Terrebonne parish for 2 years.  While enga
ged in this work he took
up the study of stenography, and having become a proficient writer was
appointed to the position of stenographer under Judge Allen.  In 1890 he was
appointed official court stenographer for the parishes of St. Landry and
Arcadia, the appointment coming from judge Lewis.  After 2 years in this
office he became stenographer to Judge Frank McGloin, of the court of appeals
at New Orleans, and some time later entered the service of the commercial
house of the Harris Day Co., cotton factors, of the same city, as stenographer
and corresponding clerk.  In 1892, when Aubin Bourg was elected clerk of court
of Terrebonne parish Mr. Wurzlow was tendered the position of chief deputy
clerk, which office he accepted and filled continuously until 1904, when he
was elected clerk of the court.  He was re?lected in 1908 and again in 1912,
being the present incumbent.  In April, 1904, Mr. Wurzlow was married to Miss
Bertha C. Brunet of New Orleans.  To them one son,  Edwin Clarence, Jr., has
been born.  Mr. Wurzlow has always been a democrat.  While occupying the
office of chief deputy clerk of court he served one term as a member of the
board of aldermen of the city of Houma.  He is a member of the Benevolent and
Protective Order of Elks, Woodmen of the World, and the Maccabees.  It is said
by those in position to be infor
med in regard to such matters that Mr. Wurzlow
may always be depended upon to do more than his share in any movement that has
for its object the upbuilding or betterment of conditions in his town, parish,
and state.