George Dorr, 1835-
American Series of Popular Biographies. Massachusetts Edition. This Volume Contains Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (Boston: Graves & Steinbarger, 1891)
GEORGE DORR, of Dorchester, a well-known representative of the old family of that name, is a lineal descendant of Edward Dorr, who was born in Wales in 1647, and came to America prior to 1674. He took the oath of fidelity July 22, 1674, and was admitted to the Second Church of Boston in 1680. In 1677 he purchased a parcel of land near the new meeting-house at the North End, paying for the same eight hundred and forty-five dollars currency, and sold the same tract more than forty years later for two hundred and fifty pounds. In 1683 he purchased a tract of land with house in Roxbury, where he later became a large landholder. He was prominent in public affairs, and held various offices of trust. He married first Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas and Dorothy (Harbottle) (Lamb) Hawley. His second wife was a widow, Elizabeth Dickenson Clapp. He died in 1733, aged about eighty-six years. His son Edward (by first wife), born July 4, 1680, was a tanner by trade and Captain of a company of State militia. Ebenezer, son of Edward, was born February 2, 1712. He married Amy Plympton, of Medfield, who was born March 5, 1711, and died November 21, 1782, his own death occurring in the same year. Ebenezer, son of Ebenezer and Amy, was born March 20, 1738, and was a merchant in Boston. He married Abigail Cunningham, who was born in Boston, July 11, 1739. Their second son, William, born in Boston, June 4, 1764, married Lucinda Davis, daughter of General Amasa Davis, a Boston merchant. William Dorr went to China as supercargo in one of his father’s ships. He died in 1844. He and his wife, Lucinda, were the parents of seven children — Caleb, born October 2, 1792; William J.D., born May 7, 1795; Lucinda, born July 4, 1797; Charles, born June 2, 1799; James, born in February 26, 1803; Elizabeth, born November 2, 1804; and Sarah W.D., born June 27, 1808.
George Dorr was educated in the public schools of Dorchester and the Chauncy Hall School of Boston. After completing a course of study in the latter institution he went West and spent one year in Minneapolis. Then, returning home, he engaged in farming, and so continued until his land became too valuable for farm purposes, when he had it surveyed and divided into house-lots. Now the old farm is covered with beautiful and well-appointed residences, and Mr. Dorr follows the business of contractor. He is prominent in the Masonic fraternity. He is a member of Union Lodge, F.& A.M.;* Dorchester Chapter, R.A.M.;** Roxbury Council, R. & S.M.;*** Joseph Warren Commandery, K.T.;**** life member of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society; and Dorchester Veteran Firemen’s Association.
He was married January 27, 1857, to Sophia Lowenza Woodard, of Ashby, Mass., a daughter of Samuel L. And Lowenza (Derby) Woodard. Her father, Samuel L. Woodard, who was of Scotch ancestry, was for more than thirty years with the Adams Express Company. Lowenza Derby was the daughter of Nelson and Susan (Haines) Derby and of English ancestry. Mr. and Mrs. Dorr are the parents of three children — Annie Lowenza, Mary Frances, and George, Jr. Annie Lowenza, born August 3, 1860, married November 12, 1883, Frederick M. Mason, and has one daughter, Alice M., born August 19, 1884. Mary Frances, born March 14, 1869, married May 17, 1893, Edward C. Spring. She has one daughter, Dorothy, born July 21, 1895. George, Jr. born March 6,1871, is now a resident of Minneapolis, Minn., where is prominent in business circles.
*F. & A.M. Free and Accepted Masons.
**R.A.M. Royal Arch Masons.
***R. & S.M.
****K.T. Knights Templar
George Dorr was the son of James and Lydia Dorr.
Actually, the marriage occurred in 1858. A marriage intention was recorded on January 27, 1858. George, 23, was a farmer, born in Dorchester. Sophia L. Woodard, 18, was born in Ashby.