Dorsheimer was born on April 15, 1797, in Wöllstein, then in the Mont-Tonnerre Department, which is now in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.

[5] In 1838, he was appointed Postmaster of Buffalo by President Martin Van Buren.

[7][8][9] Following his appointment, George W. Clinton wrote to President Polk on April 9, 1845, indicating that there were reports that the people of Buffalo reacted unfavorably to Dorsheimer's appointment as postmaster.

While treasurer, he hosted first lady-elect, Mary Todd Lincoln, in a suite at the Astor House while she was visiting New York.

[14][15] During the U.S. Civil War, as Treasurer, Dorsheimer, along with Governor Edwin D. Morgan, awarded the clothing firm of Brooks Brothers the contract for the manufacture of 12,000 Union army uniforms.