LAU, August

LAU, BRUGGEMANN, BOEHM

Posted By: Dora Mueller (email)
Date: 10/13/2007 at 20:24:22

August Lau, banker and merchant of Klemme, has in the conduct of his business interests displayed keen insight into existing conditions that has been one of dominant forces in his growing success. He has always used his time and wisely and well, and steadily he has progressed. He was born April 20, in Germany, a son of Christian and Dora Lau, who came to America in and settled in Clayton county, Iowa, where the father engaged in farming. At the time of the Civil war he responded to the country's call for troops to defend the Union and joined a regiment of Iowa volunteer infantry, rendering active service upon the battlefields of the south. In after years he resided in Hancock county, where he spent his remaining days. His wife is still living in Klemme.

August Lau was but four years of age when brought by his parents to the new world, so that practically his entire life has been spent in Iowa. He acquired his education in Clayton county by attending the district schools during the winter terms, while in the summer months he assisted his father in the work of the home farm. He was thus engaged until 1875, when at the age of twenty-two years he came to Hancock county. He had purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in German township two years before, and taking up his abode upon that tract he improved his fields, carrying on general farming and, to some extent, engaging in cattle raising. Year after year he carefully tilled the soil and continued actively and successfully in farm work until 1896, when he leased his land and removed to Klemme. He then began dealing in coal, grain and livestock and con­ducted a successful business along those lines, his annual sales reaching a consider­able figure. He became a stockholder in the First National Bank of Klemme and since 1907 has served as its vice president, largely directing its policy and shaping its activities.

Mr. Lau was united in marriage to Miss Anna Boehm, a daughter of Henry Boehm, a pioneer settler and farmer of Clayton county, Iowa. The children of this marriage are seven in number: H. C., who follows farming at Tracy, Minnesota; Frances, the wife of Fred Ritter, of Klemme; August, a farmer of German town­ship; Malinda, the wife of Wesley Schuldt, who is engaged in farming in German township; Benjamin, of Minneapolis; and Minnie and Walter, both at home. The parents are members of the German Methodist Episcopal church and their aid and influence are always given on the side of progress and improvement. Mr. Lau votes with the democratic party and has several times been called to office, serving as assessor, as supervisor, which office he now holds, as mayor, as justice of the peace and as school director. In the discharge of his duties he has ever been found prompt and faithful and his election has been the expression of confidence and high regard on the part of his fellowmen.
History of Winnebago And Hancock Counties, Iowa Vol. II (1917) p.85-86