George Dauth

George Dauth was born in Westhofen, Germany on October 24, 1868 to Andreas and Elisabeth Dauth.¹Dauth Family Archive. “1946-04-29 – Weekly Tribune – George Dauth’s Obituary.” Dauth Family Archive. June 2, 2022. Accessed March 27, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/document/1946-04-29-weekly-tribune-george-dauths-obituary/. On October 16 1884, at the age of 15, he immigrated to the United States with his older sister Eva Catherine, to join his siblings in Colorado.²Dauth Family Archive. “1884-10-16 – Fort Collins Courier – George and Catherine Dauth’s Arrival From Germany.” Dauth Family Archive. June 2, 2022. Accessed March 27, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/article/1884-10-16-fort-collins-courier-george-and-catherine-dauths-arrival-from-germany/. He first lived in Fort Collins working in his brother Louis’s grocery on 223 Linden Street. He also ran his own grocery and fruit stand from the “the rooms next to W. R. Shields’ tailor shop, on College avenue.”³Dauth Family Archive. “1885-07-30 – The Fort Collins Courier – George Dauth Opens Grocery.” Dauth Family Archive. June 8, 2022. Accessed March 27, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/article/1885-07-30-the-fort-collins-courier-george-dauth-opens-grocery/. While in Fort Collins he became a member of the International Organization of Good Templars at Collins Lodge #33.⁴Dauth Family Archive. “1886-05-06 – Fort Collins Courier – George Dauth Inside Guard of Independent Order of Good Templars.” Dauth Family Archive. June 9, 2022. Accessed March 27, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/article/1886-05-06-fort-collins-courier-george-dauth-inside-guard-of-independent-order-of-good-templars/.

In 1888 he moved to Leadville and worked as a butcher at the E. J. Van Camp grocery store.⁵Dauth Family Archive. “1889 – Leadville Directory – Entry for George Dauth.” Dauth Family Archive. June 2, 2022. Accessed March 27, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/document/1889-leadville-directory-entry-for-george-dauth/.⁶Dauth Family Archive. “1892 – Leadville Directory – Entry for George Dauth.” Dauth Family Archive. June 2, 2022. Accessed March 27, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/document/1892-leadville-directory-entry-for-george-dauth/. During his time there he lived with his sister Elsie, and her family, the Cliffes.⁷Dauth Family Archive. “1888 – Leadville Directory – Entry for George Dauth.” Dauth Family Archive. June 2, 2022. Accessed March 27, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/document/1888-leadville-directory-entry-for-george-dauth/. In 1894 George moved to Denver to work in Louis’s new grocery near Five Points on 2458 Washington Avenue.⁸Dauth Family Archive. “1894 – Denver Directory – Entry for George, Louis, and Philip Dauth.” Dauth Family Archive. June 2, 2022. Accessed March 27, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/document/1894-denver-directory-entry-for-george-louis-and-philip-dauth/. George spent six years in Denver transitioning from a butcher to a clerk and eventually owning his own share of Louis’s market.⁹Dauth Family Archive. “1899 – Denver Directory – Entry for George, Louis, Philip, and Walter Dauth.” Dauth Family Archive. June 2, 2022. Accessed March 27, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/document/1899-denver-directory-entry-for-george-louis-philip-and-walter-dauth/.¹⁰Dauth Family Archive. “1900 – Denver Directory – Entry for George, Louis, and Philip Dauth.” Dauth Family Archive. June 2, 2022. Accessed March 27, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/document/1900-denver-directory-entry-for-george-louis-and-philip-dauth/.

In 1901 George met Florence Yeaton, who owned a Millinery Parlor in Greeley.¹¹Dauth Family Archive. “c. 1980 – Life Story of George Dauth – Compiled by Isabella Fraser.” Dauth Family Archive. June 2, 2022. Accessed March 28, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/document/c-1980-life-story-of-george-dauth-compiled-by-isabella-fraser/. They married on September 8th 1903 and moved to 825 6th Street in Greeley.¹²Dauth Family Archive. “1903-09-10 – The Greeley Tribune – Yeaton-Dauth Marriage.” Dauth Family Archive. June 2, 2022. Accessed March 27, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/article/1903-09-10-the-greeley-tribune-dauth-florence-marriage-millinery-p6-png/.¹³Dauth Family Archive. “1904-1944 – Weld County Directory – Results For Dauth.” Dauth Family Archive. March 5, 2023. Accessed March 27, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/document/1904-1944-weld-county-directory-results-for-dauth/. They had their first child, George Jr., on September 14th 1904.¹⁴Dauth Family Archive. “1932-05-25 – June Dauth Eulogy – Page 1.” Dauth Family Archive. June 11, 2022. Accessed March 27, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/document/1932-05-25-june-dauth-eulogy-page-1/. The following year George established his grocery, the Ninth Street Market, at 806 9th Street.¹⁵Dauth Family Archive. “1904-01-07 – The Greeley Tribune – George Dauth Store Advertisement.” Dauth Family Archive. June 3, 2022. Accessed March 27, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/article/1904-01-07-the-greeley-tribune-george-dauth-store-advertisement/. The same year George’s older brother Phillip and his wife Katie both tragically died, leaving behind five children: Isabella, Louise, Phillip, Fred, and Elsie.¹⁶Dauth Family Archive. “1905-12-02 – Denver Post – Philip Dauth Suicide.” Dauth Family Archive. June 15, 2022. Accessed March 27, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/article/1905-12-02-denver-post-philip-dauth-suicide/. George and Florence adopted Louise, Fred, and Elsie while George’s other siblings cared for Isabella and Phillip.¹⁷Dauth Family Archive. “Fred Dauth.” Dauth Family Archive. March 4, 2023. Accessed March 31, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/person/fred-dauth/.¹⁸Dauth Family Archive. “Elsie Dauth.” Dauth Family Archive. June 17, 2022. Accessed March 31, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/person/elsie-dauth/.

George and Florence had their second child, Elizabeth, on June 3rd 1906.¹⁹Dauth Family Archive. “1906-06-07 – The Greeley Tribune – Elizabeth Dauth Born.” Dauth Family Archive. June 13, 2022. Accessed March 27, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/article/1906-06-07-the-greeley-tribune-elizabeth-dauth-born/. In 1907 they moved to their second home at 1329 7th Street.²⁰Dauth Family Archive. “1904-1944 – Weld County Directory – Results For Dauth.” Dauth Family Archive. March 5, 2023. Accessed March 27, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/document/1904-1944-weld-county-directory-results-for-dauth/. Their third child, Leslie, was born on June 5th 1908. On December 3rd 1910 they had twins who died in infancy.²¹Dauth Family Archive. “Infants Dauth.” Dauth Family Archive. February 14, 2023. Accessed March 31, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/person/infants-dauth/. In 1913 they had a third son, Donald, who also died in infancy.²²Dauth Family Archive. “Donald Dauth.” Dauth Family Archive. February 14, 2023. Accessed March 31, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/person/donald-dauth/.

After moving to Greeley George became an active member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the local Kensington Club.²³Dauth Family Archive. “1912-03-14 – The Greeley Tribune – George Dauth Elks Club Trustee.” Dauth Family Archive. June 3, 2022. Accessed March 27, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/article/1912-03-14-the-greeley-tribune-george-dauth-elks-club-trustee/.²⁴Dauth Family Archive. “1929-09 – Kensington Club at Idlewild Lodge.” Dauth Family Archive. June 2, 2022. Accessed March 27, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/document/1929-09-kensington-club-at-idlewild-lodge/. He was also active in the community and helped build the city an ice skating rink in 1909 and later one of Greeley’s first baseball diamonds near his slaughter house at the “Senier place” on 5th Street.²⁵Dauth Family Archive. “1909-12-23 – The Eagle County Blade – George Dauth Ice Rink.” Dauth Family Archive. June 3, 2022. Accessed March 27, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/article/1909-12-23-the-eagle-county-blade-george-dauth-ice-rink/. ²⁶Dauth Family Archive. “c. 1980 – Life Story of George Dauth – Compiled by Isabella Fraser.” Dauth Family Archive. June 2, 2022. Accessed March 27, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/document/c-1980-life-story-of-george-dauth-compiled-by-isabella-fraser/.²⁷Dauth Family Archive. “1909-11-18 – The Greeley Tribune – George Dauth Property.” Dauth Family Archive. June 3, 2022. Accessed March 27, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/article/1909-11-18-the-greeley-tribune-george-dauth-property/. George became increasingly interested in the livestock business and in 1913 sold the Ninth Street Market to completely shift his focus towards ranching.²⁸Dauth Family Archive. “1918-04-06 – Greeley Daily Tribune – George Dauth Buys Back Store.” Dauth Family Archive. June 3, 2022. Accessed March 27, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/article/1918-04-06-greeley-daily-tribune-george-dauth-buys-back-store/. For five years George raised and sold livestock while becoming more involved with Greeley’s social organizations, such as the Elks and Commercial Clubs.²⁹Dauth Family Archive. “1912-10-10 – The Greeley Tribune – George Dauth Greeley Commercial Club Director.” Dauth Family Archive. June 3, 2022. Accessed March 28, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/article/1912-10-10-the-greeley-tribune-george-dauth-greeley-commercial-club-director/. ³⁰Dauth Family Archive. “1912-10-10 – The Greeley Tribune – George Dauth Greeley Commercial Club Director.” Dauth Family Archive. June 3, 2022. Accessed March 28, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/article/1912-10-10-the-greeley-tribune-george-dauth-greeley-commercial-club-director/. However he missed the day to day routine of running a store and bought back the old Ninth Street Market from S. Reed in April 1918.³¹Dauth Family Archive. “1918-04-06 – Greeley Daily Tribune – George Dauth Buys Back Store.” Dauth Family Archive. June 3, 2022. Accessed March 27, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/article/1918-04-06-greeley-daily-tribune-george-dauth-buys-back-store/.

In 1920 George purchased the Idlewild Lodge between Loveland and Estes Park in the Big Thompson Canyon.³²Dauth Family Archive. “1920-06-17 – Windsor Beacon – George Dauth Buys Idlewild.” Dauth Family Archive. June 3, 2022. Accessed March 27, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/article/1920-06-17-windsor-beacon-george-dauth-buys-idlewild/.³³Idlewild Lodge. “1920-06-17 – Windsor Beacon – George Dauth Buys Idlewild Lodge.” Idlewild Lodge. Dauth Family Archive, June 27, 2022. Accessed March 31, 2023. https://idlewildlodge.github.io/article/1920-06-17-windsor-beacon-george-dauth-buys-idlewild-lodge/. The lodge was built in 1906 and was used as a retreat for Harvey Witwer the son of Elizabeth Studebaker and nephew of John Mohler Studebaker of the Studebaker Automobile Company.³⁴Idlewild Lodge. “George Dauth.” Idlewild Lodge. Dauth Family Archive, March 30, 2021. Accessed March 31, 2023. https://idlewildlodge.github.io/posts/george-dauth/.³⁵Dauth Family Archive. “1920-06-17 – Windsor Beacon – George Dauth Buys Idlewild.” Dauth Family Archive. June 3, 2022. Accessed March 27, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/article/1920-06-17-windsor-beacon-george-dauth-buys-idlewild/. George planned to use the lodge as a summer home and retreat for his friends and began spending his time developing the property around the lodge.³⁶Idlewild Lodge. “The Gardens Of Idlewild.” Idlewild Lodge. Dauth Family Archive, March 30, 2021. Accessed March 31, 2023. https://idlewildlodge.github.io/posts/the-gardens-of-idlewild/.

In 1921 George partnered with the Baab Brothers renaming his store to Baab Bros & Dauth.³⁷Dauth Family Archive. “1940-04-13 – Greeley Daily Tribune – George Dauth Partners With The Baab Brothers.” Dauth Family Archive. June 3, 2022. Accessed March 27, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/article/1940-04-13-greeley-daily-tribune-george-dauth-partners-with-the-baab-brothers/. In 1924 George’s daughter Elizabeth became ill, passing away on July 20th 1924.³⁸Dauth Family Archive. “c. 1924 – Christmas Card With Note About Elizabeth Dauth Death.” Dauth Family Archive. June 13, 2022. Accessed March 27, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/document/c-1924-christmas-card-with-note-about-elizabeth-dauth-death/.

In 1930 George purchased the 806 9th Street building which he been renting since 1903.³⁹Dauth Family Archive. “George Dauth’s Meat Market.” Dauth Family Archive. May 5, 2021. Accessed March 28, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/george-dauths-meat-market/. He spent two years upgrading the store, modernizing its appearance, and teaching his son June how to run a business.⁴⁰ Dauth Family Archive. “George Dauth’s Meat Market.” Dauth Family Archive. May 5, 2021. Accessed March 28, 2023.https://dauthfamily.github.io/george-dauths-meat-market/. During this time he also started a fish hatchery known as the “Idlewild Trout Farm” which he used to stock the store with fresh fish.⁴¹Dauth Family Archive. “1931-04-22 – Greeley Daily Tribune – George Dauth Fish Hatchery.” Dauth Family Archive. June 3, 2022. Accessed March 27, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/article/1931-04-22-greeley-daily-tribune-george-dauth-fish-hatchery/.

On April 15th 1932 June became ill after appendicitis surgery, and passed away on May 18th 1932.⁴²Dauth Family Archive. “1932-06-02 – The Lyons Mirror – June Dauth Obituary.” Dauth Family Archive. June 11, 2022. Accessed March 27, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/article/1932-06-02-the-lyons-mirror-june-dauth-obituary/. The following year George sold his share of the grocery and retired. He had been in the business for over 28 years. George began focusing on his hobbies, particularly his tree farm, known as “Dauth’s Grove” and a game reserve he owned north of Greeley known as the “North Game Refuge.”⁴³Dauth Family Archive. “1910-07-28 – The Greeley Tribune – The Dauth Grove.” Dauth Family Archive. June 3, 2022. Accessed March 27, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/article/1910-07-28-the-greeley-tribune-the-dauth-grove/. ⁴⁴Dauth Family Archive. “1937-03-18 – Greeley Daily Tribune – George Dauths North Game Refuge.” Dauth Family Archive. June 9, 2022. Accessed March 27, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/article/1937-03-18-greeley-daily-tribune-george-dauths-north-game-refuge/. George had owned the tree farm since 1910 and had, by 1930, planted over 3000 trees in the Big Thompson Canyon and Glen Haven areas.⁴⁵Dauth Family Archive. “1930-03-13 – Greeley Daily Tribune – George Dauth Planting Trees In Big Thompson.” Dauth Family Archive. June 9, 2022. Accessed March 27, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/article/1930-03-13-greeley-daily-tribune-george-dauth-planting-trees-in-big-thompson/. In 1936 and 1937 the City of Greeley purchased 150 evergreen trees from George to plant in Greeley’s Glenmere park.⁴⁶Dauth Family Archive. “1910-07-28 – The Greeley Tribune – The Dauth Grove.” Dauth Family Archive. June 3, 2022. Accessed March 27, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/article/1910-07-28-the-greeley-tribune-the-dauth-grove/.⁴⁷Dauth Family Archive. “1936-04-29 – Greeley Daily Tribune – George Dauth Provides Trees For Greeley.” Dauth Family Archive. June 9, 2022. Accessed March 27, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/article/1936-04-29-greeley-daily-tribune-george-dauth-provides-trees-for-greeley/.

In 1936 George and Florence moved to 1731 11th Avenue, next door to their son Leslie and his family.⁴⁸Dauth Family Archive. “1904-1944 – Weld County Directory – Results For Dauth.” Dauth Family Archive. March 5, 2023. Accessed March 27, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/document/1904-1944-weld-county-directory-results-for-dauth/. In his last years George spent his free time managing his farm, the “Old Dauth Ranch” in Evans and maintaining Idlewild Lodge.⁴⁹Dauth Family Archive. “1931-09-21 – Greeley Daily Tribune – George Dauth Ranch.” Dauth Family Archive. June 9, 2022. Accessed March 27, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/article/1931-09-21-greeley-daily-tribune-george-dauth-ranch/. On April 29th 1946, while driving to Evans, George was struck by a locomotive and killed.⁵⁰Dauth Family Archive. “1946-04-29 – Weekly Tribune – George Dauth’s Obituary.” Dauth Family Archive. June 2, 2022. Accessed March 27, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/document/1946-04-29-weekly-tribune-george-dauths-obituary/. He died at the age of 77. George was buried at the Dauth Family Plot in Linn Grove Cemetery in Greeley, with a red cedar tree planted over his grave to honor his love of trees.⁵¹Dauth Family Archive. “2019-06-02 – Dauth Family Grave – Linn Grove Cemetery.” Dauth Family Archive. June 2, 2022. Accessed March 27, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/document/2019-06-02-dauth-family-grave-linn-grove-cemetary/.