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From New Orleans, An Illustrated History By John R. Kemp Abry Brothers Inc.  Along with his wife and infant son, John G. Abry arrived in New Orleans from his native Frankfurt, Germany, to establish this business in 1840. Already an experienced shorer, his guardian angel must have directed John G. to this city where the uncertain soil conditions of its delta land were to provide a great need for his services.
So much like his doctor friends, he was soon making house calls all over town. By 1997, (157 years later) doctors seldom made house calls anymore. But Herman Joseph Abry, who became the fifth generation president of Abry Brothers, Inc. in 1976, and his associates were still making house calls. Because, you see, this firm is in the business of fixing sick houses. Besides shoring- the word is of Old English origin and means to "prop up"- the Abry company also levels houses, raises and lowers them, and installs foundations.
 3rd Generation  than 40 years. It was during his tenure that Abry Brothers acquired property on Orleans Avenue at Bayou St. John, which is still the company's headquarters in 1997. His two brothers, John and Emile Herman, were long associated with him as superintendents. In 1930, Emile Herman succeeded him at age 51, becoming the company's third-generation head.
It was during these years that Morris (Ferdinand) Lewis, a remarkable black man who had come to work for the company in 1900 at age 13, rose to become an Abry superintendent. Following in his footsteps, his grandson Livingstone (Rudy) Lewis also played an important role in the Abry organization until his retirement in 1993.
 4th Generation  5th Generation
Since 1840, Abry Brothers, Inc., never seems to run out of brothers. 
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