Augusta Dobe was born on April 7, 1886 in La Crosse. After finishing 8th grade she trained at Snow’s College, upstairs at 4th and Jay Streets, to become a seamstress.
Augusta operated her own dressmaking shop from 1909-1914. The shop was on 4th Street between Ferry and Division. She employed six to eight women, including her sister Minnie.
The dressmaking shop was prosperous. Augusta had the ability to prepare a pattern from only a rough sketch or a brief description from a customer. Most of her business came from wealthy women of the city.
Augusta also designed and sewed the wardrobes for young women going off to college. She would sometimes live in their homes for a couple of weeks while making these garments.
Augusta had a great interest in music; she bought a piano and began taking lessons.
She married Arthur J. Beutler on June 10, 1914 and moved to 929 King Street. Arthur owned and operated several grocery stores. Four children were born while the family lived at this address. After her marriage there was no time for music or a dress shop. Her life became one of domestic duties: childcare, cooking, cleaning, washing and ironing.
Augusta’s favorite social outlet after marriage was a sewing club at the First Lutheran Church. As they worked on their own sewing projects and made items for the church bazaar the members became close friends.
Augusta Beutler died on June 21, 1942 at age 56 after being ill for one year.
Location: 929 King Street
1915: Family Home
2019: Private Residence
Wedding dress made and worn by Augusta Dobe (Mrs. Arthur J. Beutler) 1914
Materials: silk satin, eyelet lace
