Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Biographical History of Cherokee County, Iowa W. S. Dunbar & Co., Chigago - 1889 [page 410-411] P. ADAM DORR, one of the successful farmers of Amherst Township, was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, December 22, 1847, and is a son of PHILLIPP and CHRISTINA (KREDEL) DORR. He is the thirteenth of a family of fourteen children, nine of whom lived to maturity. He was reared in his native country, receiving his education in the common schools. At the age of fourteen years he went to learn the baker's trade, serving an apprenticeship of two years, after which he followed the business for nine months. Thinking he could better his fortunes in the New World, in company with his brother and sis- ter, with a party of eighteen he set sail for America, arriving in New York after a tedious journey of thirty-two days; he remained in that city a few days, and then came to Detroit, Michigan, where he spent two weeks, and then went on to Warren County, Illinois, where he located and engaged in farming, having secured a position to work by the month. He continued in this way for two years when he bought a team and commenced farming for himself; he had removed to Cedar County, Iowa, and at the end of one year he and his brother JOHN came to Cherokee County, and located a claim in Amherst Township. He began the task of opening up his farm and then erected a small frame house. The country was a vast prairie, unbroken with many human habitations; his plow broke the first furrow of the soil. He went to work with energy and determination to succeed, and his sur- roundings indicate that he has been generously rewarded for his toil; he has one of the finest homes in the county, having erected a handsome frame residence in 1884, which is surrounded by a beauti- ful grove of six and a half acres, making it one of the most attract- ive places in the neighborhood. A willow tree standing near Mr. DORR'S residence measures eight feet and four inches in circumfer- ence; this was planted by his own hand when a small twig. The well on this place was dug by the present owner and is walled with stone; it is very unusual to find this kind of a well in this section and it is one of which Mr. DORR is justly proud. Mr. Dorr has added to his landed estate until he now owns 120 acres of choice land, which has been placed under cultivation through his own efforts. On first coming to the county the hardships were many and severe; fuel was scarce, and the early settlers were obliged to go a distance of five miles, through creeks and marshes, to procure even an inferior qual- ity. It took men with stout hearts and iron wills to face all these privations and discouragements; but energy and pluck will accomplish wonders, and is now reaping his reward. Mr. DORR was married May 21, 1879, to MARY ERICKSON, a daughter of SWAN and MARY ERICKSON. She was born in Sweden, May 26, 1858, and came to America when nine years of age with her parents. Two children have been born of this union: FREDDIE L. was born April 5, 1881, and LULU M., born December 14, 1882, died April 28, 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Dorr are worthy and consis- tent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Mr. DORR being at present steward, and a member of the Board of Trustees. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party, and is a stanch adherent to his party principles. ===========================================================================