From History of Walworth County Wisconsin, Vol. 1, by Albert Clayton Beckwith, 
publ. 1912 - Pages 734 - 736
 
AUGUST FREDERICK DESING.  The farmer is not the only necessary factor in a 
community.  His presence is, of course, important, but so is that of the 
miller, the store-keeper and the blacksmith, all having been necessary since 
the first settlement.  At first the old mills were run by water power and in 
very slow time, then steam came into use and wheat was converted more quickly 
into our flour and the great logs faster into lumber; the first merchants kept 
their little stock of general merchandise in a rude buildings of logs, now the 
elegant department store is found almost in every town; the early-day 
blacksmith, like the brawny-armed Vulcan in Longfellow's poem, stood "under a 
spreading chestnut tree," - now we find him in a convenient building, equipped 
with every improved appliance to make his labor easier and his work more 
efficient.  August Charles DESING, of Elkhorn, knows both the old and modern 
way of blacksmithing, this having been his life work, and he is today one of 
the best known blacksmiths and wagon-makers in this section of the state, 
manufacturing the famous "Center" wagon, which, owning to its superior 
qualities, has ever found a very ready market.
 
Mr. DESING was born in Brunn, Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Germany, December 16, 
1858, and is a son of John and Wilhelmina (WILK) DESING.  He was five years 
old when the family emigrated to the United States in the fall of 1863.  After 
spending about six months in Youngstown, Ohio, they came on to Walworth 
county, Wisconsin, locating in Spring Prairie township, where the father 
bought a farm, having first worked out for wages until he could buy land of 
his own.  Later he bought a farm in North Geneva at the edge of Lafayette 
township, the place lying in both townships, and this was the family home for 
about forty years, they having become well established here through their 
industry.  A complete sketch of John DESING appears on another page of this 
work.
 
August C. DESING grew to maturity on the home farm here where he remained 
until he was eighteen years of age, then began in 1879 as an apprentice in the 
blacksmith trade, serving three years, then worked a year as journeyman in 
Chicago.  Returning to this county, he bought the shop of a Mr. LIVINGSTON at 
Elkhorn on May 4, 1883, and he has remained here to the present time, having 
been in business in Elkhorn as long as any others in this line, and his shop, 
which stands exactly in the center of the county, is widely known and has been 
extensively patronized for over three decades, many of his best patrons coming 
from remote sections of the county, for they know they will receive prompt and 
high grade service.  In October 1886, Mr. DESING's shop was destroyed by 
fire.  He soon rebuilt it on a much larger plan and equipped it with up-to-
date apparatus.  He had already added wagon-making to his blacksmithing, and 
named his product the "Center Wagon," by virtue of the fact that it was made 
in the center of the county.  He has continued the business ever since, with 
ever-increasing prosperity and success.  A year or two after the fire he took 
as a partner C. C. GAYLORD, who was with him for a period of eleven years.  
Since then the subject has continued alone.
 
Mr. DESING has long taken much interest in public affairs, and has ably served 
the people as alderman, trustee and supervisor of Elkhorn for a number of 
years, about eighteen terms, always with eminent satisfaction to all 
concerned. He was the first alderman elected in Elkhorn and for many years he 
was an influential member of the city council.  When the city adopted the 
commission plan of operating the light and water plant he was a member of the 
board of education, and is still on the same.  Having been one of the older 
members of the city governing bodies, much responsibility was laid on his 
shoulders, he having been usually at the head of important committees, and 
some times much depended upon his action, as in the case of the settlement of 
the light plant question; but he has ever been a man of sound judgment, wise 
at heart, consequently has given the people the best service possible, which 
they have fully appreciated, according him high esteem for the praiseworthy 
course he has ever pursued.
 
Mr. DESING was married on July 5, 1883, to Nettie BAUERMANN, daughter of Jacob 
and Catherine (MARTIN) BAUERMANN.  She was born and reared in Elkhorn.  Her 
parents were natives of Germany and spent their early lives in the valley of 
the Rhine, from which they emigrated to the Untied States and located in 
Elkhorn, Wisconsin, about 1860.  During the progress of the Civil war Mr. 
BAUERMANN engaged in the shoemaking business here, when shoemakers made shoes 
to order from actual measurements, as tailors now make clothes.
 
Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. DESING, one of whom, Nettie, the 
eldest, died when three and one-half years old; the others are living and 
named as follows: Lillian, Arthur, Gertrude, George, Rena, Orma, Alene, Hilmer 
and Marjorie.
 
Mr. DESING and family belong to the Lutheran church of which he has been a 
worthy member ever since he was fourteen years old, and he has been a liberal 
supporter of the same.  He stands high as a citizen and business man and has a 
wide acquaintance throughout the county.

Submitted By:  Carol
(carolann612@charter.net)