John A. Dorfler
As a stock raiser and feeder John A. Dorfler, of Soldier township, ranks high in the estimation of his neighbors and acquaintances, having made a success of his business and acquired an established reputation for straightforward dealing.
He was born in Muscatine county, Iowa, May 24, 1870, a son of John and Augusta (Stegemann) Dorfler, The parents were both born in Germany and a record of their lives appears elsewhere in this work.
Mr. Dorfler of this review was reared as a farm boy and attended the district schools, devoting his attention closely as the years passed to farming and stock-raising. He continued at home with his father until twenty-five years of age and then began farming on his own account on land belonging to his father, which he cultivated for sixteen years. Upon the division of the estate he received one hundred and sixty acres of highly improved land on section 13, Soldier township. He has given special attention to stock-feeding and although he is an extensive grain raiser, he buys grain from other farmers, as he feeds to his stock more than he can raise himself. He is an excellent judge of farm animals and handles none but good grades.
On the 2d of June, 1895, Mr. Dorfler was united in marriage to Miss Edith B. Meyer, who was born at Denison, Iowa, July 21, 1876, a daughter of August and Henrietta (Harder) Meyer, who were born, reared and married in Germany. They emigrated to America in 1864 and took up their residence at Pontiac, Illinois, where the father followed the tailor's trade, which he had learned in his native country. After a short time he began farming in that state, but in 1874 came to Iowa and bought land in Crawford county. However, he lived in Denison and conducted a hotel for seven years before he located on his farm. In 1900 he retired and has since made his home at Lake View, Iowa. He was very successful in business and became the owner of eight hundred acres of good land in Jackson township. He is now seventy-six years of age, while his wife is one year his junior.
There were fourteen children in their family, five of whom are now living, namely: Minnie, the wife of William Heller, of Lake View; Arthur, of Guthrie Center, Iowa; Frantz, of Auburn, Iowa; Edith B., now Mrs. John A. Dorfler; and William, of Crawford county.
Three children came to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Dorfler, one of whom died in infancy, the others being Frank W., who was born February II, 1897, and John A., born March 18, 1909.
Politically Mr. Dorfler supports the democratic party. He has not desired nor sought public office but has served as a member of the school board for two years. Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic lodge at Charter Oak and also with the lodge of the Modern Woodmen of America. Energetic and self reliant, he has in his business shown an ability that is highly creditable. By the concentration of his energies he has achieved gratifying financial returns and his reputation for honesty has never been questioned.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.