Dohrer, Heinrich A. 1832-1911

DOHRER, SPRINGER, DITTMER, HENRY, LEMKE, MENTZEL

Posted By: Paul Moritz (deceased)
Date: 1/16/2010 at 12:40:20

OBITUARY: HEINRICH A. DOHRER October 10th, 1911 (NOTE: This was originally published in the German language and translated by a Rose Turner, a teacher of German).

In the close knit-ranks of the old settlers of our county has been torn a gap on Tuesday afternoon of last. Heinrich Adam Dohrer of Cox Creek Township was gathered (to) his Fathers following a stroke.

He was born on the 10th of November 1832 in Borgfeld, Province of Hesse; after he had left school, he learned the business of a furniture maker.

As a 19-year-old youth he left the homeland, stayed about a year in Baltimore, Maryland. Thereupon his brother August also came over, both left, after which they stayed for a time in Cumberland, Maryland, then headed west and came to Dubuque, Iowa.

In the year 1857, the two brothers went south and stayed about 3 years in St. Louis, in and around St. Charles, Missouri. In that place in the year 1857 Heinrich married Mary Springer.

In the following years the brothers who until that time had always been together, separated for some years. August went farther south and came at just the right time to fight under the stars (and bars--the Confederate flag): (SEE FOOTNOTE #1), in the Civil War which had already broken out.

Heinrich with his wife and small child turned to the north and established himself in Cox Creek Township. (SEE FOOTNOTE #2) Through diligence and thriftiness he brought it so far that he could retire from the farm a few years ago, in order to move into town, (Elkader, IA) and bought himself a house.

A difficult loss for him was the death of his wife, who on the 4th of February, 1902 left his side. Still the father did not give up; with his children he found a good home and loving care.

Mostly he stayed with his daughter Kathryn Dittmer, (he) went however here and there, to his farm to his son Henry H. There he thought he must do all kinds of little jobs. So he was busy on the farm even yet on Saturday morning the 7th of October. There he was struck by an attack. (His) daughter-in-law (Dora) and grandaughter ( Marie) who were home alone, dragged the unconscious (man) inside.

Whatever love of children and medical skill possible was done, but without having the unconscious (man) recover he slept (SIC) away on Tuesday the 10th of October at 4 in the afternoon, (he died) gently and peacefully without death agony.

He came then to the age of 70 years and 11 months. Left to mourn the departed father; 2 sons and 2 daughters; Heinrich, Wilhelm, Mrs. Katharina Dittmer, and Mrs. Lena Lemke, a daughter, Mrs. Emilie Henry died in 1901.

Besides these, the deceased leaves behind a sister, Mrs. Elise (SIC) Mentzel, and his brother (John) August, who found the separation especially painful because the 2 brothers were almost always together until the end. There mourn after the deceased many friends and neighbors, who liked a valued him highly. Also the local German Society lost in him a loyal member and a regular visitor to God's house.

Note #1 Either the information was incorrect or the translation was incorrect concerning John August fighting for the Confederacy. Confirmed information states that John August Dohrer enlisted in as a private on October 13, 1864 at the age of 27. He was assigned to Company F, 4th Infantry Regiment of Iowa, (part of the Union Army), it lists his residence as Elkader, IA at time of enlistment. He mustered out on July 24, 1865 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Source, Roster & Record of Iowa Soldiers in the War of the Rebellion, "Iowa Roster" published in 1910.) One can only assume that John August returned to Iowa with Heinrich in 1860 or he first fought for the South and then for the North which is unlikely.

NOTE #2 On October 18, 1860, Henry and his wife and daughter Lena, age 1 and his sister Eliza, went north to Iowa. According to Lena Dohrer Lemka, (daughter), they came by boat from Missouri to Dubuque where they purchased a team and wagon to haul their belongings and drove to Cox Creek, Clayton Co., IA where friends from Prussia had settled, (Mentzels & Behns). He bought a quarter section of land in 1861, located in section 3. He built a house near a spring on the farm. When Lena was 4 years old in 1864, she remembered seeing a couple of Indian men walking by their house. (In the 1840's, Winnebagos and Menominee Indians resided in the Littleport-Mederville area.)

Footnotes are by Paul Moritz, contributor of obituary