Louis Dauth

Ludwig “Louis” Dauth was born in Darmstadt, Germany on November 14, 1852 to Andreas and Elisabeth Dauth.¹Dauth Family Archive. “1976-12 – Fort Collins Triangle Review – Article About Louis Dauth,” June 6, 2022. Accessed March 29, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/document/1976-12-fort-collins-triangle-review-article-about-louis-dauth/. Louis was conscripted into the North German Confederation in 1870, at the age of 18, to fight for the Prussian Army during the Franco Prussian War.²Dauth Family Archive. “c. 1914-1940 – George Dauth Notes On Dauth Family Tree,” May 30, 2022. Accessed March 29, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/document/george-dauth-notes-on-dauth-family-tree/. As a male nurse he participated in “nearly every one of the hard fought battles of that short but bloody war” and was wounded on the battlefield.³Dauth Family Archive. “c. 1914-1940 – George Dauth Notes On Dauth Family Tree,” May 30, 2022. Accessed March 29, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/document/george-dauth-notes-on-dauth-family-tree/. ⁴Dauth Family Archive. “1885-11-26 – Fort Collins Courier – Louis Dauth Travels To Germany,” June 9, 2022. Accessed March 29, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/article/1885-11-26-fort-collins-courier-louis-dauth-travels-to-germany/. He was awarded five medals for his service, “one of steel, the other of brass” one of which was the Iron Cross.⁵Dauth Family Archive. “1934-11-19 – The Fort Collins Express Courier – Louis Dauth Biography,” March 29, 2023. Accessed March 29, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/article/1934-11-19-the-fort-collins-express-courier-louis-dauth-biography/. ⁶Dauth Family Archive. “1883-03-15 – Fort Collins Courier – Louis Dauth Wearing War Medals,” June 9, 2022. Accessed March 29, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/article/1883-03-15-fort-collins-courier-louis-dauth-wearing-war-medals/. ⁷Dauth Family Archive. “1975 – Fort Collins Yesterdays – Page 142 – Detailed Life Story of Louis Dauth,” June 6, 2022. Accessed March 29, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/document/1975-fort-collins-yesterdays-page-142-detailed-life-story-of-louis-dauth/. After the war ended he spent a year at home before immigrating to America in 1872.⁸Dauth Family Archive. “1878-07-27 – The Courier – Business Profile of Louis Dauth,” June 6, 2022. Accessed March 29, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/document/1878-07-27-the-courier-business-profile-of-louis-dauth/.

He spent several months on the Eastern coast, before moving west through Wyoming, Colorado and finally settling in Denver in 1873.⁹Dauth Family Archive. “1934-11-19 – The Fort Collins Express Courier – Louis Dauth Biography,” March 29, 2023. Accessed March 29, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/article/1934-11-19-the-fort-collins-express-courier-louis-dauth-biography/.¹⁰Dauth Family Archive. “1885-11-26 – Fort Collins Courier – Louis Dauth Travels To Germany,” June 9, 2022. Accessed March 29, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/article/1885-11-26-fort-collins-courier-louis-dauth-travels-to-germany/. Louis worked a variety of jobs while staying first at 388 Larimer and then boarding at the Swiss House.¹¹Dauth Family Archive. “1874 – Denver Directory – Entry for Louis Dauth,” June 6, 2022. Accessed March 29, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/document/1874-denver-directory-entry-for-louis-dauth/. ¹²Dauth Family Archive. “1876 – Denver Directory – Entry For Louis Dauth,” June 6, 2022. Accessed March 29, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/document/1876-denver-directory-entry-for-louis-dauth/. He worked as a clerk in 1874, waiter at the American House in 1875, and bar keeper in 1876.¹³Dauth Family Archive. “1874 – Denver Directory – Entry for Louis Dauth,” June 6, 2022. Accessed March 29, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/document/1874-denver-directory-entry-for-louis-dauth/. ¹⁴Dauth Family Archive. “1875 – Denver Directory – Entry For Louis Dauth,” June 6, 2022. Accessed March 29, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/document/1875-denver-directory-entry-for-louis-dauth/. ¹⁵Dauth Family Archive. “1876 – Denver Directory – Entry For Louis Dauth,” June 6, 2022. Accessed March 29, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/document/1876-denver-directory-entry-for-louis-dauth/. In 1877 Louis partnered with John Reither to create Dauth & Reithers Cabinet Makers and Upholsterers.¹⁶Dauth Family Archive. “1877 – Denver Directory – Entry For Louis Dauth,” June 6, 2022. Accessed March 29, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/document/1877-denver-directory-entry-for-louis-dauth/. The furniture business wasn’t agreeing with Louis and so he took his chance with a move to Fort Collins in October 1877 upon completion of the Colorado Central railroad to Cheyenne.¹⁷Dauth Family Archive. “1888-02-16 – Fort Collins Courier – Louis Dauth Sells His Store at the Reed-Dauth Block – Part 2,” June 6, 2022. Accessed March 29, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/article/1888-02-16-fort-collins-courier-louis-dauth-sells-his-store-at-the-reed-dauth-block-part-2/. He came to Fort Collins with just $250 in capital and used it to start a bakery “in a small one-story frame building” on the Mosman Block.¹⁸Dauth Family Archive. “1888-02-16 – Fort Collins Courier – Louis Dauth Sells His Store at the Reed-Dauth Block – Part 2,” June 6, 2022. Accessed March 29, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/article/1888-02-16-fort-collins-courier-louis-dauth-sells-his-store-at-the-reed-dauth-block-part-2/. Soon afterwards Louis started a business partnership with M. M. Zimmerman to create the Dauth & Zimmerman Bakery, located one door down from of the southwest corner of Linden and Jefferson.¹⁹Dauth Family Archive. “2008-04-30 – Fort Collins Now – Louis Dauth Life Story,” June 6, 2022. Accessed March 29, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/document/2008-04-30-fort-collins-now-louis-dauth-life-story/. The partnership lasted just a few months until March 1878. August of 1878 Louis purchased the building three doors down from of the southwest corner of Linden and Jefferson known was the “New Store” and repurposed the building with an oven and sales room, turning it into a bakery.²⁰Dauth Family Archive. “1878-08-10 – Fort Collins Courier – Louis Dauth Buys New Store,” June 6, 2022. Accessed March 29, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/article/1878-08-10-fort-collins-courier-louis-dauth-buys-new-store/. During the next two years Louis ran the bakery and became the Vice Grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Collins Lodge #19.²¹Dauth Family Archive. “1879-06-05 – Fort Collins Courier – Louis Dauth IOOF Vice Grand,” June 9, 2022. Accessed March 29, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/article/1879-06-05-fort-collins-courier-louis-dauth-ioof-vice-grand/.

On December 10 1879 Louis married Flora Herrendoerfer.²²Dauth Family Archive. “1879-12-11 – Fort Collins Courier – Louis Dauth Marriage To Flora Herrendoerfer,” June 9, 2022. Accessed March 29, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/article/1879-12-11-fort-collins-courier-louis-dauth-marriage-to-flora-herrendoerfer/. They were married at the German Methodist church in Denver, Colorado.²³Dauth Family Archive. “1879-12-11 – Fort Collins Courier – Louis Dauth Marriage To Flora Herrendoerfer.” Dauth Family Archive, 9 Jun. 2022, https://dauthfamily.github.io/article/1879-12-11-fort-collins-courier-louis-dauth-marriage-to-flora-herrendoerfer/. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023. After their marriage they moved to 310 South Howes Street in Fort Collins. In March of 1880 Louis partnered with E.W. Reed to purchase and develop a business lot across the street from Louis’s store which would be known as the Reed-Dauth Block, now 223 Linden Street.²⁴Dauth Family Archive. “1881-03-24 – Express – Louis Dauth Reed-Dauth Block Contractor,” June 6, 2022. Accessed March 29, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/article/1881-03-24-express-louis-dauth-reed-dauth-block-contractor/. In March 1881 Louis and Flora had their first child, Walter. The Reed-Dauth Block was completed December of 1881 and Louis began renting out his half of the block. A year later he would move his own bakery business into the building.²⁵Dauth Family Archive. “1883-01-31 – Daily Evening Courier – Louis Dauth Ready To Move Into Reed-Dauth Block,” June 6, 2022. Accessed March 29, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/article/1883-01-31-daily-evening-courier-louis-dauth-ready-to-move-into-reed-dauth-block/. In April 1883 Louis became a town Alderman, specializing on the town’s street work.²⁶Dauth Family Archive. “1883-04-16 – The Daily Express – Louis Dauth Alderman of Third Ward,” June 9, 2022. Accessed March 29, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/article/1883-04-16-the-daily-express-louis-dauth-alderman-of-third-ward/. Louis continued to run his bakery independently until June 21 1883 when A. E. Annis purchased half the business renaming it to Dauth & Annis.²⁷Dauth Family Archive. “1883-06-21 – Fort Collins Courier – Louis Dauth Partners With A. E. Annis,” June 6, 2022. Accessed March 29, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/article/1883-06-21-fort-collins-courier-louis-dauth-partners-with-a-e-annis/. On January 8th 1883 Louis’s daughter Louisa “Lulu” was born. The bakery partnership lasted until February 5th 1885 when A.E. Annis retired.²⁸Dauth Family Archive. “1885-02-05 – Fort Collins Courier – Louis Dauth and A. E. Annis Cease Partnership,” June 6, 2022. Accessed March 29, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/article/1885-02-05-fort-collins-courier-louis-dauth-and-a-e-annis-cease-partnership/. Louis continued to run the store independently under his own name until February 16th 1888 when Louis decided to move his business to Denver.²⁹Dauth Family Archive. “1888-02-16 – Fort Collins Courier – Louis Dauth Sells His Store at the Reed-Dauth Block – Part 2,” June 6, 2022. Accessed March 29, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/article/1888-02-16-fort-collins-courier-louis-dauth-sells-his-store-at-the-reed-dauth-block-part-2/. He sold his business and home to the Bennet Brothers.³⁰Dauth Family Archive. “1888-02-16 – Fort Collins Courier – Louis Dauth Sells His Store at the Reed-Dauth Block,” June 6, 2022. Accessed March 29, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/article/1888-02-16-fort-collins-courier-louis-dauth-sells-his-store-at-the-reed-dauth-block/.

Louis and Flora moved to Five Points, Denver, first living at 2424 Glenarm and then 2424 Lincoln in 1889.³¹Dauth Family Archive. “1889 – Denver Directory – Entry For Louis and Phillip Dauth,” June 8, 2022. Accessed March 29, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/document/1889-denver-directory-entry-for-louis-and-phillip-dauth/. ³²Dauth Family Archive. “1890 – Denver Directory – Entry For Louis and Phillip Dauth,” June 8, 2022. Accessed March 29, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/document/1890-denver-directory-entry-for-louis-and-phillip-dauth/. Louis established his new grocery at 2458 Washington Avenue, eventually expanding the business to 2452, 2454, and 2456 Washington Avenue.³³Dauth Family Archive. “1892 – Denver Directory – Entry for Louis and Philip Dauth,” June 8, 2022. Accessed March 29, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/document/1892-denver-directory-entry-for-louis-and-philip-dauth/. On November 17 1889 Louis’s daughter Lulu passed away from diphtheria. The family then moved to 2524 Clarkson in 1891.³⁴Dauth Family Archive. “1891 – Denver Directory – Entry for Louis and Philip Dauth,” June 8, 2022. Accessed March 29, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/document/1891-denver-directory-entry-for-louis-and-philip-dauth/. In April 1891 Louis’s daughter Louise and son Herman were born. In 1892 Louis expanded his grocery to include a saloon.³⁵Dauth Family Archive. “1892 – Denver Directory – Entry for Louis and Philip Dauth,” June 8, 2022. Accessed March 29, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/document/1892-denver-directory-entry-for-louis-and-philip-dauth/. In 1894 the family moved to 10 25th Avenue.³⁶Dauth Family Archive. “1894 – Denver Directory – Entry for George, Louis, and Philip Dauth,” June 2, 2022. Accessed March 29, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/document/1894-denver-directory-entry-for-george-louis-and-philip-dauth/. Louis’s brother George moved in with the family and worked as a butcher at the grocery. Louis’s son Walter began working as a clerk in 1899. In 1901 Louis’s daughter Helen was born.

In August of 1902 Louis’s wife Flora passed away. In 1903 Louis’s son Walter passed away. In 1905 Louis’s brother Phillip and his wife Katie both tragically died, leaving behind five children: Isabella, Louise, Phillip, Fred, and Elsie.³⁷Dauth Family Archive. “1905-12-02 – Denver Post – Philip Dauth Suicide,” June 15, 2022. Accessed March 27, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/article/1905-12-02-denver-post-philip-dauth-suicide/. George and Florence Dauth adopted Louise, Fred, and Elsie; Caroline and Jacob Fitting adopted Phillip, while it’s likely Louis adopted Isabella.

On November 14 1905 Louis married Bertha Zweifel and became stepfather to Bertha’s daughter Irene Eyser. From 1905 to 1915 Louis was involved with the local German Krieger Verein, working as the organization’s Treasurer.³⁸Dauth Family Archive. “1905 – Denver Directory – Entry For German Krieger Verein,” June 8, 2022. Accessed March 29, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/document/1905-denver-directory-entry-for-german-krieger-verein/. ³⁹Dauth Family Archive. “1915 – Denver Directory – Entry For German Krieger Verein,” June 8, 2022. Accessed March 29, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/document/1915-denver-directory-entry-for-german-krieger-verein/. From 1915 to 1929 Louis began selling dry goods and hardware, while Bertha began to sell notions in her own part of the store.⁴⁰Dauth Family Archive. “1915 – Denver Directory – Entry For Louis Dauth,” June 8, 2022. Accessed March 29, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/document/1915-denver-directory-entry-for-louis-dauth/. ⁴¹Dauth Family Archive. “1929 – Denver Directory – Entry For Louis Dauth,” June 8, 2022. Accessed March 29, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/document/1929-denver-directory-entry-for-louis-dauth/.

Louis gradually acquired numerous apartments and business blocks in the area, allowing him to retire from active business.⁴²Dauth Family Archive. “1934-11-19 – The Fort Collins Express Courier – Louis Dauth Biography,” March 29, 2023. Accessed March 30, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/article/1934-11-19-the-fort-collins-express-courier-louis-dauth-biography/. Louis Dauth passed away on December 22nd 1944.⁴³Dauth Family Archive. “1944-12-20 – Obituary Of Louis Dauth,” June 6, 2022. Accessed March 29, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/document/1944-12-20-obituary-of-louis-dauth/. He died at the age of 92 and was buried at Fairmount Cemetery in Denver.⁴⁴Dauth Family Archive. “1944-12-20 – Obituary Of Louis Dauth,” June 6, 2022. Accessed March 29, 2023. https://dauthfamily.github.io/document/1944-12-20-obituary-of-louis-dauth/.