"Dora" was born in the small town of Tauckenbrinck, part of Wechold, Nienburg, Lower Saxony, Germany, the daughter of Carsten Heinrich Friedrich Meyer and Anna Dorothea Ritz.

Her confirmation record was found in the St. John's Evangelical Luthern Church records in Tinley Park/Country Club Hills, Cook County, Illinois, where the family must have attended church as follows:

1862 Confirmation Records from St. John's Lutheran Evangelical Church
Tinley Park, Illinois

G. D. Conrad Meyer - b. April 18, 1848 - Confirmed March 21, 1862 (her brother)
Margaretha Catherine Dorothea Meyer - b. April 18, 1850 - Confirmed 1866

Copied from her obituary:

Dorothea Meyer was born in Hanover, Germany, April 18, 1850 and came to America when 10 years of age, with her parents, locating at Chicago. Here she met and was married to Edward Brenneisen. They soon removed farther westward following the lure to energetic young people, and located in Benton county. They remained here but a few years when they again made a change and went to Floyd county. Their residence here was also of short duration soon moving to the farm in Mitchell county which continued to be their home until 1910. Retiring for a well-earned rest, they came to Riceville, Mr. Brenneisen passing away in August 1914.

Edward Brenneisen and Dorothea Meyer were united in marriage in October 17, 1873. The family is represented by three children: C. F. Brenneisen and A. J. Brenneisen both living at Waterloo and Mrs. Mary Funte, Riceville.

Mrs. Brenneisen passed away Feb 9, 1923, following an attack of broncho-pneumonia. Funeral services were held Feb. 11 at the M. E. church, conducted by Rev. A. Matthias, pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran church. Burial was made in Riverside cemetery.