Henry E. Dorale
Among the prosperous farmers of Soldier township is Henry E. Dorale. Starting ten years ago with eighty acres of land, he has made such a wise use of opportunities that today he is the fortunate owner of four hundred and forty acres of good land in Crawford county, becoming one of the leading men of his township.
He is a native of Jackson county, Iowa, born January 3, 1870, a son of George A. and Mary (Dove) Dorale, both of whom were born in Germany and came to America with their respective parents when young. Their marriage took place in Iowa and Mr. Dorale rented land in Jackson county for a few years. He then came to Crawford county and established his homestead in Hanover township. He became the owner of two hundred and forty acres, which under his management was highly productive.
He died in 1884, being then only forty-eight years of age and in the height of a useful life. The mother is still living with one of her daughters in Stockholm township and has arrived at the age of sixty-six years. Of their family five survive, namely: Clara, who is the wife of John Quade, of Crawford county; Fred, of South Dakota; Louis, of Wyoming; Henry E., of this review; and Mary, who is the wife of John Maack.
Henry E. Dorale was educated in the common schools and continued at home until twenty-one years of age. He began farming on his own account upon a portion of the family estate, comprising eighty acres, which he cultivated for seven years. He then sold his place and bought two hundred and ninety-four acres on section 16, Soldier township. As his resources increased he purchased more land, becoming the owner of four hundred and forty acres on sections 16 and 18. He is an extensive stock-feeder, being especially partial to black polled cattle and Poland China hogs, and few men in the county have been more successful in their undertakings.
On the 29th of May, 1895, Mr. Dorale was united in marriage to Miss Annie Maack, who was born in Crawford county February 28, 1877, a daughter of Emest and Mary (Sachau) Maack, both of whom were born in Germany. They were married in the old country and arrived in America in 1870, taking up their home in Rock Island county, Illinois. Mr. Maack rented land for ten years and then bought one hundred and sixty acres in Hanover township, Crawford county, Iowa, where he established the family homestead. He died in December, 1895, but his wife is still living upon the home farm. Of their children the following survive: Henry, who assists his mother upon the homestead; August, of Hanover township; Emma, who is the wife of Fred Dorale, of South Dakota; John, of Hanover township; Annie, now Mrs. Henry E. Dorale; Matilda, the wife of Andrew Namany, of South Dakota; and Marie, who is at home. Of the other children Christ and Bernhard are deceased and one died in infancy.
Seven children have come to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Dorale, namely: Emma, who was born May 6, 1896; Elsie, born November 17, 1897; Fred, born June 11, 1899; Lulu, born February 26, 1901; Albert, born May 15, 1903; Richard, born December 5, 1905; and Paula, who died at the age of two months.
Mr. Dorale and his wife are active members of the Lutheran church. He is a stanch believer in the principles of the democratic party and has served as a member of the school board for four years, as township trustee for six years and is now on his second term as assessor of the township. He comes of good Teutonic parentage and the traits of persistence and application which he has displayed were doubtless inherited from his worthy ancestry. He is favorably known by the best business men of his part of the county, and his record is additional proof of the fact that the man who possesses energy and determination is on the road to fortune provided he is blessed with sound judgment.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.