August Witt has lived in Delaware county for more than a quarter of a century and enjoys an enviable reputation as one of its prosperous and representative agriculturists, owning a valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 16, Hazel Green township. His birth occurred in Germany on the 12th of August, 1853, his parents being Karl and Charlotte (Wilson) Witt, who passed away in that country. The father was engaged in sheep raising throughout his active business career. He had seven children, four of whom emigrated to the United States, namely: Fred, who demise occurred in Clinton county, Iowa; John, who lives with our subject in Hazel Green township; Minnie, the wife of Karl Voelkert of Hazel Green township; and August, of this review.
      The last named spent the first thirty four years of his life in the land of his nativity and in 1887 crossed the Atlantic to the United States, settling in Delaware county, Iowa, and here turning his attention to general agricultural pursuits. In 1901 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land two miles east of Ryan and the operation of this farm has claimed his time and energies continuously since. In the conduct of his agricultural interests he displays excellent business ability and follows methods that insure his success.
       On the 1st of July, 1888, Mr. Witt was united in marriage to Miss Louise Bawyersdorf, a daughter of Martin and Rosalie (Kleibert) Bawyersdorf, both of whom were born in Germany and have passed away. To Mr. and Mrs. Witt have been born five children, as follows: Paul, whose birth occurred June 13, 1889, and who wedded Miss Annie Ommeter; Ella, born July 12, 1891; Leo, whose natal day was November 22, 1893; Carl, whose birth occurred on the 27th of August, 1896; and Emma, born August 20, 1897.
       In religious faith Mr. Witt is a Lutheran, belonging to the church of that denomination at Ryan. The hope that led him to leave his native land and seek a home in the new world has been more than realized, for through the wise utilization of the opportunities here afforded he has won a gratifying measure of success, and has also gained the confidence and esteem of his neighbors in marked degree.