Obit: Dunow, August (1850 - 1939)

Contact: History Buffs

Surnames: Dunow, Schultz, Farenbach, Shaver, Schroeder, Goetsch, Witt, Lieders, Sill, Webner, Steinke, Heise, Hoff, Neitch, Pete, Kraut

----Sources: Colby Phonograph (Colby, Clark County, Wis.) 12/28/1939

Dunow, August (25 Sept. 1850 - 21 Dec. 1939)

August Dunow passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Wm. Farenbach on Thursday, Dec. 21, at 2 P.M. Old age was the cause of his death. He was only confined to his bed for one day when he passed away prepared to meet his Lord and master. He was born in Germany on Sept. 25, 1850, and when he was 21 years of age, he sailed for the United States and settled down in the city of Milwaukee where he at once got a job as a blacksmith in a railroad shop and where he remained for several years. Then he came to Curtiss where he took up a homestead and worked hard in the wilderness. After a year’s stay, he returned to Milwaukee to resume his work at the railroad shops and was married to Miss Minnie Schultz of Milwaukee in 1880. After his marriage, he returned to Curtiss with his bride to make their home. After many hard years of work, he cleared his land and later erected nice buildings.

He was one of the early pioneers and enjoyed talking about the events and successful and happy years that he enjoyed. In 1925, Mr. and Mrs. Dunow moved to the village of Curtiss where they bought a home. On Sept. 2, 1931, his wife passed away, but he always kept up his home. Only three months ago when he went to live with his son in law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. William Farenbach who gave him good care and made his life happy and contented to the last hour. He was a peaceful man and had many friends, and was known to the children of the community as Grand Pa. For seven years he acted as janitor at the Curtiss Grade School. He held various town offices and was a charter member of the St. Paul’s Lutheran church and was one who helped erect the church.

Mr. and Mrs. Dunow had five children, Mrs. Mary Farenbach and Otto Dunow survive. His wife, two daughters and one son preceded him in death, his wife in 1931, Mrs. Minnie Shaver of St. Paul in 1929, Mrs. Sophie Schroeder of Curtiss in 1910 and Charles in 1937.

The funeral was held on Saturday, Dec. 23, at 2 P.M. at the St. Paul’s Lutheran church, Rev. Goetsch had the services at the church and at the Pine Hill cemetery where he was laid to rest in the family lot. The pall bearers were his grand sons, William, Elroy, Herbert Farenbach, Harvey Witt of Unity, Orville Lieders of Abbotsford, and Arnold Sill of Colby.

The out of town people who attended the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Sill and family, Miss Ella Schroeder of Colby, Mr. and Mrs. O. Lieders of Abbotsford, Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Witt of Unity, Miss Minnie Farenbach of St. Paul, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Webner of Dorchester, August Dunow of Hoard, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Steinke of Unity, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Heise and Elton Dunow of Milwaukee, Ollie, Fred and Billy Dunow of Phillips, Wis.

Mrs. Goetsch played the organ, Mrs. George Hoff, Mrs. Amele Neitch and Mrs. Henry Pete had two numbers. Donald Kraut, Dorchester, had charge of the funeral.