DAU, HERMAN

DAU, GEISE, KOEPKE, BAHLING

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 5/11/2004 at 09:12:13

Biography reproduced from page 171 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

Through the improvement of the opportunities which Iowa offers in agricultural lines Herman Dau has become a substantial farmer, being numbered among the representative residents of Union township, Kossuth county. He was born in Coldspring, Wisconsin, April 22, 1867, a son of Christian and Frederica (Geise) Dau, who were both natives of Germany. The father had learned the wagon-maker’s trade in the fatherland and, thinking to find better opportunities for advancement in the new world than were offered in the old, he came to this country when thirty years of age. He followed his trade for ten years in Wisconsin, and in 1877 came to Kossuth county, Iowa, here taking up his abode on a tract of land consisting of one hundred and twenty acres in Union township. In the operation of that farm he was busily engaged until 1901, when he retired from active life and removed to Burt, Iowa, where his remaining days were spent. He had been very successful in agricultural pursuits, adding to his holdings from time to time until he became the owner of six hundred and eighty acres of valuable land. He passed away on the 21st of December, 1904, and is still survived by his wife, who makes her home in Des Moines.

As a lad of ten years Herman Dau was brought to Kossuth county from Wisconsin, and his education, which had begun in that state, was completed in the schools of Union township, this county. He also acquired thorough practical training on the home farm under the direction of his father, and he remained with his parents, assisting them in the cultivation of the fields, until he attained his majority. At that time, in partnership with a brother, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres which they operated together for two years, at the end of which time Herman Dau sold his interest and bought a tract of one hundred and sixty acres from his father, to the development of which he has since given his time and attention. He has greatly improved this property, bringing it under a high state of cultivation, and it is one of the desirable farming properties of the township. He also owns a half section of land in Marshall county, South Dakota.

Mr. Dau was married on the 6th of April, 1893, to Miss Minnie Koepke, a daughter of Fred and Henrietta (Bahling) Koepke, who were also natives of Germany. On coming to the United States they took up their abode in Janesville, Wisconsin, in 1863, the father there being employed as a laborer, and that remained the place of their residence until 1873, when they came to Kossuth county, Mr. Koepke purchasing a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Union township. This he greatly improved and developed and later bought more land, eventually owning six hundred and eighty acres. He operated the home place until 1904, when he retired from active life and removed to Burt, Iowa, there remaining until March, 1912, when he moved to Algona. In that city he still makes his home but his wife passed away on the 22d of February, 1905. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dau were born two children, Clarence and Myrtle, aged respectively sixteen and fourteen years. The parents hold membership in the Methodist church at Burt, and politically Mr. Dau is a republican. He has served as trustee of the township and also as school director and road supervisor, and gives his support to all measures which have for their object the advancement of the community along material, political, intellectual and moral lines. He is a stockholder in the Algona Cooperative Creamery Company and is well known among the representative and progressive business men of his locality, while attractive personal qualities and sterling traits of manhood make him popular with a large circle of warm friends.