DAU, MAX P.

DAU, GEISE, WAGNER, BAHLING

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 5/11/2004 at 09:10:58

Biography reproduced from page 173 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

Max P. Dau, proprietor of the Belgard Farm and successful as a general farmer and stock-raiser, is well known in Union township, within whose borders he has resided for more than a third of a century. He is a native of Wisconsin, his birth having occurred in Whitewater on the 24th of October, 1872, a son of Christian and Frederica (Geise) Dau, both of whom were born in Germany.

When a little lad of four years Max P. Dau was brought to Kossuth county, and in the schools of Union county he acquired his education. He remained on the home farm, early becoming familiar with the duties that usually fall to the lot of the country lad, until twenty-three years of age, when he engaged in agricultural pursuits on his own account, renting a farm which he operated for two years. He then purchased his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Union township, upon which he has since been engaged in general farming and stock-raising. It is a well developed property, equipped with all modern improvements, many of which have been introduced by Mr. Dau. A large portion of his attention is given to his stock interests, for he keeps twenty-five head of cattle, five head of horses and fifty head of hogs. He is a stockholder in the Cooperative Creamery Company of Burt, Iowa, and from his various interests he derives a substantial income which ranks him among the prosperous and successful men of Union township.

Mr. Dau was married, July 15, 1896, to Miss Edith W. Wagner, a daughter of August and Bertha (Bahling) Wagner, both of whom were born in Germany. Mr. Wagner came to the United States in early life, settling in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in the ‘60s, and after a time took up his residence on a farm, which he operated for about nine years. At the expiration of that period he came to Kossuth county, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land in Burt township, which he continued to improve and operate throughout the remainder of his life. He passed away February 14, 1893, while his wife survived until May, 1903. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dau were born five children, namely: Ralph L., aged fourteen years; Vesta L., twelve years; Everett C., eleven years; Dana S., seven years; and Wilma N., four years.

Mr. Dau and his wife belong to the Methodist church of Burt, in the work of which they are actively interested, and he also holds membership with the Yeomen of America. His political support is given to the republican party and although he has served as assessor for three years he has no desire for political preferment. He gives his attention to his personal interests, and work—earnest, persistent work—has been the source of his success. Thus he has become one of the enterprising, substantial and progressive farmers of his adopted country, and enjoys the esteem and regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact.