Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The Big Bend Country, embracing
Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties, State of Washington",
published by Western Historical Publishing Co., 1904.
AUGUST WITT is certainly to be
commended on the magnificent success that he has worked out for himself
since coming to Lincoln county. He resides seven miles north from
Sprague on a farm of eight hundred and eighty acres all in a high state
of cultivation. He has one of the most beautiful residences in Lincoln
county. It is a ten-room structure of modern design and supplied
with all the conveniences of the day, as furnace heat, hot and cold water
and so forth. The same is situated in beautiful grounds with pleasant
lawn and ornamental trees and all together it is a most beautiful and comely
place. Mr. Witt has a large barn, machine house and other buildings,
while he uses a gasoline engine for pumping water and for chopping feed.
He also has a nice windmill. He is one of the progressive and prosperous
Washington farmers. He owns a band of cattle and has a full quota
of farm machinery and horses on the estate. In all this, especially
when we note the fact that Mr. Witt came here with no capital whatever
except two good strong hands, one can readily see the excellence of his
success. He has certainly wrought with wisdom and integrity.
August Witt was born in West Prussia, Germany,
on February 7, 1866. His parents, August and Minnie (Winkoff) Witt,
were also natives of Prussia. The father was born in 1834 and came
to Indiana in 1883. He died in Pulaski county on the 28th day of
March, 1904. The mother is still living on the old home place there.
Our subject was educated in Germany and in the United States, having come
to America in September, 1881, sailing from Bremen and landing in Baltimore,
whence he made his way to Indiana where he labored for three and one half
years. In the spring of 1885 he labored in Minnesota and one year
later, came to Lincoln county. He went to work for wages where he
wrought for three years, then took a homestead and bought land until he
owns his present large estate.
On February 17, 1889, Mr. Witt married Miss
Mollie Meyer of Sprague. Her parents, John and Minnie (Maulke) Meyer
were born in Germany and came to Indiana about 1875. The mother died
in Chicago in 1902. Mr. Witt has the following brothers and sisters,
Gustave, Ferdinand, Herman, Mrs. Mollie Salzman and Mrs. Tilly Sibley.
Mrs. Witt has one brother and four sisters. To Mr. and Mrs. Witt,
four children have been born, William F., Minnie E., George A., and May.
On October 13, 1904, William F. was taken away by death. Mr. and
Mrs. Witt belong to the Evangelical Association and are active in general
progress and school matters. He has been a teacher for sometime.
They are wide awake and public spirited people and stand well in the county.
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