Jacob Schorr, a prosperous farmer of Farmington township, Cedar county, has made his home in the region where he now lives since 1867, and here he has attained a success which is the result of well directed effort in any honest industry. He was born in Madison county, Illinois, October 20, 1850, and is a son of William and Maggie (Ruprecht) Schorr, who were both born in Germany and were there married. The father belonged to a hard-working family and as soon as he left the public schools he was apprenticed to the butcher’s trade, in which he became quite expert.
In order to improve their condition Mr. and Mrs. Schorr came to this country and settled in Madison county, Illinois, where he followed his trade for five years. Having by this time acquired sufficient capital for investment, Mr. Schorr abandoned his trade and began farming. He purchased eighty-five acres of land, which he proceeded assiduously to cultivate, and his labor was rewarded to such an extent that in 1867 he came to Farmington township, this county, where he bought a tract of three hundred and twenty acres in Farmington township and sixty-five acres elsewhere in this county, and brought the whole farm under a high degree of cultivation, greatly increasing its value. Mr. Schorr was called to his reward April 9, 1885, and his worthy wife followed him upon the long journey, August 30, 1905. They were both members of the Lutheran church and were highly respected by their neighbors and friends.
Jacob Schorr was educated in the public schools of Madison county, Illinois. He came to Iowa with his parents and has since devoted his attention to farming, having acquired one hundred and sixty acres which was originally owned by his father. He has engaged successfully in general farming operations and the neat and orderly appearance of the buildings and everything about the farm indicates that he takes great interest in the work to which he has devoted the best energies of his life.
In 1881 Mr. Schorr was united in marriage to Miss Anna Reimers, a daughter of John and Anna (Kruse) Reimers. Eight children now living are the result of the union: Maggie, now Mrs. Albert Shallenberger, of Scott county, Iowa; John; Annie, now Mrs. Herman Paustian, of Cedar county, Iowa; William, who resides in Madison county, Illinois; and Arthur, Minnie, Elsie and Viola, all of whom are living at home. A promising son, Henry, died at the age of four years.
Mr. Schorr is identified with the republican party, whose candidates he heartily supports, and also is a member of the Lutheran church. As the head of a large family he has many responsibilities not known to those who are not so situated, but he always discharges his duties as they represent themselves and thus has developed a sturdy character which is of more worth than great earthly possessions. In the various relations of life he has always been true to every trust reposed in him and as the result he enjoys the confidence and esteem of those with whom he is associated.
