History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century/4/Asa Horr
ASA HORR, scholar and scientist, was born at Worthington, Ohio, September 2, 1817. His education began early and he remained a student of science throughout his life. Trained as a physician and surgeon in which profession he attained distinction, he at the same time investigated many branches of science. He became a resident of Iowa as early as 1847, settling at Dubuque which became his permanent home. He was the leader in the organization and promotion of the Iowa Institute of Science and Art which was organized at Dubuque, and was its president for many years. He was one of the one hundred American and English short-hand writers who were chosen to make improvements in phonography. Dr. Horr was president of the Dubuque and Cedar Valley Medical Societies and was an excellent botanist; for more than twenty years he was one of the leading observers for the Smithsonian Institution. He was also interested in geology, mineralogy and astronomy, and gave particular attention to meteorology. To him and Professor Lapham of Milwaukee is due the present method of forecasting the weather, used by the Government. He was a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Dr. Horr was especially successful in bringing the sciences to the comprehension of those without scientific knowledge, and donated four hundred volumes of valuable books to the Historical Department of Iowa. He died at his home in Dubuque, June 2, 1896.