HENRY SCHORR

Of all the occupations known to man, that of the farmer is to be preferred. Especially is this the case in regions of the United States where the soil and climate are favorable and markets are convenient. There was a time not many years past when unfavorable weather often had a disastrous effect on farming operations, but at the present time the skilled farmer plants a variety of crops and also raises live stock, so that, although he may lose in one direction, he gains in another and at the close of the year he generally finds himself richer than he was at the beginning. Henry Schorr, of Farmington township, Cedar county, is one of the fortunate farmers of this county. He lives upon the old homestead, which was acquired by his father and is one of the highly productive farms in this region. In fact, it would be difficult to find one hundred and sixty acres of land that yields more readily the wealth which nature has in store and which springs forth to gladden the earth under proper cultivation. The farm is beautifully situated within convenient distance of the railroad and in years to come will be even much more valuable than it is today.

Henry Schorr first saw the light of day on a farm in Madison county, Illinois, November 30, 1849. He is a son of William and Maggie (Ruprecht) Schorr, both of whom were born in Germany, the former July 8, 1813, and the latter on December 26 of the same year. They were married in the old country and there Mr. Schorr learned the butcher’s trade. However, he was not satisfied with the conditions that prevail in a land thickly inhabited and where the son has little possibility of succeeding in any business except that which the father pursued. Therefore, Mr. and Mrs. Schorr came to America and first settled in Madison county, Illinois, where he worked at his trade for five years. He then engaged in farming and purchased a farm of eighty-five acres, upon which he lived until 1867, when he came to Cedar county, this state, and located in Farmington township, where he bought one hundred and sixty acres of slightly improved land. This land he brought to a high state of cultivation and here he lived until he was called to rest April 9, 1885. Mrs. Schorr survived her husband twenty years and died at the old homestead August 30, 1905. He was a good farmer and an upright citizen; was an industrious and economical man and increased his original farm of one hundred and sixty acres to three hundred and twenty acres.

The subject of our review came with his parents to this state at eighteen years of age and has ever since made his home on the farm. He received a common-school education in Madison county, Illinois, and after laying his books aside devoted his entire attention to agriculture and stock-raising. As already indicated, he now owns the old homestead and a valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres upon which he carries forward general farming operations.

On January 15, 1900, Mr. Schorr was happily united in marriage to Miss Frances Rotje, who is a native of Alton, Illinois, and who has proved to him a worthy companion and an able assistant in everything pertaining to the household. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Schorr: Peter; William; Annie; and Henry, who departed this life at four years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Schorr are both identified with the Lutheran church and are firm believers in its teachings. He has all his life been in sympathy with the principals of the democratic ticket and supports the party as the one that in his opinion is best adapted to maintain a free government. He was early educated as a farmer and to this work he has devoted the energies of his life and has attained in it a degree of success that makes him financially independent.