Louis/Ludwig Orf was born February 19, 1903 in New York City, the son of Vincent John and Katie (Schandel) Orf. He had six siblings: Mary (also called May, who married Leonard Schuman in 1923) born in 1901, Vincent John Jr. born 1905, Catherine Marie (called Katie) born 1907, Charles Edwin born Sept. 1, 1909, Margaret born 1913, and Emily born 1917 (and died aged 3 on April 18, 1921, buried in the St. John Cemetery in Queens). The family lived in Brooklyn, on Suydam Street in 1910, and ten years later on Walrose Avenue. From 1925 through 1940 they lived in Queens, on 160th Street and later on Excelian.
Their father, Vincent, supported the family as a "coach driver", an assembler in a "fibre mill", and a shoemaker. In 1920 at the age of 17, Louis was already employed, driving an "ash cart." Ten years later his job was described as an "ash truck driver." By 1940 Louis and both of his brothers were working selling "retail vegetables, house to house."
The United States entered WWII in December of 1941, and in July of 1942 brother Vincent John Jr. enlisted in the Army, followed by Louis on November 24, 1942. They enlisted "for the duration of the War...plus six months." Louis stated at that time that he had a grammer school education, he was single, without dependents, and gave his physical description as 6 feet tall, and weighed 233 pounds. Both brothers were employed as "hucksters and peddlers."
Louis Orf died July 14, 1983 at Bellevue Hospital Center, and was buried on Hart Island.
Sources: US Social Security Death Index; NY, NY, Birth Index, 1878-1909; US WWII Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946; US, Dept. of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010; 1910, 1920, 1930 and 1940 US Federal Censuses; 1905 and 1925 NY, State Censuses.