tornquist started his schooling at escuela evangélica alemana and in 1856 was sent to study in germany in the city of krefeld for two years. on his return to argentina he took up a job working for a company directed by his brother-in-law which exported wool and leather and imported agricultural machinery. in 1872 he married his niece, rosa altgelt tornquist in buenos aires, and in 1874 took over the running of his brother-in-law’s company which was now renamed, "ernesto tornquist y cia". with the help of belgium capital the company diversified its activities to include investment in the sugar, meat-salting and cold-storage industries. the company also invested in railways and acquired land in the provinces of santa fe and entre rios, previously occupied by indians. in the 1880s he set up a large sugar refinery, "refineria argentina", in rosario. other initiatives included founding the "bieckert" brewery, the "seeber" margarine manufacturer and the "bianchetti" scale manufacturer.