Florence Dauth (birth-name Yeaton) was born in 1878 in the small farming town of Bancroft, Nebraska.11954-10-28 – Obituary of Florence Dauth After graduating high school she began working in a millinery parlor in Omaha, Nebraska before apprenticing in a large wholesale millinery in St. Joseph, Missouri. After her studies she moved to Colorado to work as “first class trimmer” in Denver.2Florence Yeaton’s Parlor Millinery
In 1903 Florence married George Dauth and together they decided to move to Greeley where Florence had plans to open her own millinery parlor. On September 10th 1903, Florence announced the opening of the “The Parlor Millinery” at 702 Ninth Avenue.31903-09-10 – The Greeley Tribune – Florence Yeaton Millinery Announcement
Advertisement for Florence Dauth’s millinery parlor, “The Parlor Millinery” from October 10th, 1903.41903-10-15 – The Greeley Tribune – Florence Dauth Millinery Advertisement
Florence had her first child shortly after opening her store. She and George went on to have two more children, as well as adopting three children from George’s late older brother.5Weekly Tribune, 29 Apr. 1946. Greeley, Weld County, Colorado. In 1920 Florence and George bought Idlewild Lodge with the intention of using it as a summer home where they could entertain their family and friends.61920-06-17 – Windsor Beacon – George Dauth Buys Idlewild
Florence Dauth with family and friends at Idlewild Lodge. Florence Dauth standing fourth from right, George Dauth second from right and Elizabeth Dauth waving fifth from right c. 1920.
At first Florence and George used Idlewild Lodge solely as a family getaway. But as the property was re-developed, particularity after the addition of a kitchen and dining room, they became interested in sharing the Lodge with the community. In 1927, when their sons were attending the Colorado Teachers College, Florence began hosting events at Idlewild for the college sororities.
Miss Marjorie Haskell and Miss Arline Dowding were members of a mountain house party given by the girls of the Alpha Lambda Tau sorority of the State Teachers college over last week end. The party was held at Idle Wild in the Thompson canon. Mr. and Mrs. Ch. H. Dowding, Maxine and Charles Dowding, Jr., motored to the mountains Sunday and the two Windsor college students accompanied them home for a brief visit. Mrs. Geo. Dauth and Mrs. Shrine of Greeley chaperoned the mountain party.7Windsor Beacon – May 19, 1927
Windsor Beacon – May 19, 1927
The lodge dining room was usually decorated and a meal served for the occasion. Games, dancing, and music filled the day’s activities.
Pi Delta Theta Pledges Take Mountain Trip
Pledges of Pi Delta Theta enjoyed a trip to the mountain cottage of Mrs. George Dauth, Saturday morning. The party left Greeley at 7:30 o’clock and upon reaching Idle Wild served breakfast. Yellow and white table decorations were used. Misses Evelyn Neff and Opal Townsend entertained with readings; and Misses Irene Todd and Lorraine Freitas sang a number of Hawaiian songs. Guests included: Miss Lulu McPherson, national secretary, and Mrs. George Dauth. Patronesses present where: Mesdames Grant Babcock and L. R. Brown. Pledges: Misses Mildred Gueck, Rachel Taylor, Florence Lowe, Ida Lamont, Ila Downing, Jessie Wells, Ethel Ruppenthal, Louise Kaylor, Ruth Galt, Lorraine Freitas, Eileen Olson, Marcella Davidson, Lydia Fuerst, Marie Robinson, Rasalie Winder, Luella Rains, Opal Townsend, Ethel Miller, Amanda Peters, Evelyn Neff, and Irene Todd.8The UNC Mirror – April 4, 1929
The UNC Mirror – April 4, 1929
In 1929 Florence became the housemother of the Sigma Upsilon sorority, and soon rush parties and holiday dinners became regular events at the Lodge.
Sigma Upsilon’s traditional mountain party for rushees occurred Sunday at Mrs. George Dauth’s cabin, Idlewilde, in Thompson canon when guests were taken to visit “Neptune’s Castle in the mountains under the sea.” The girls arrived at Idlewild at about 11 o’clock, sang, danced, and had their dinner, when they receives as favors toy turtles made of sea shells. Popcorn balls were served at the close of the afternoon before the return home. Guests of the sorority were Maxine Anderson, Dorothy Ballou, Betty Blue, Ruth Binneweis, Margaret Colvin, Dorothy Davis, Jean Davis, Helen Edwards, Irmine Fallis, Wilma Ferry, Betty Forcum, Leora Foster, Mildred Foster, Adele Fowles, Virginia Blake. Elizabeth Hall, Jane Hedrick, Amy Jerrell, Shirley Leroy, Doris Meredith, Alberta McCluskey, Emma Lou McBroom, Louise Lahring, Mona McDougall, Edith Morris, Opal Oldemeyer, Esther Smith, Florrie Williams, Bernice Magnie.9Greeley Daily Tribune – October 12, 1931
Greeley Daily Tribune – October 12, 1931
Sigma Upsilon sorority opened the Thanksgiving festivities with a turkey dinner at the Idle Wild cabin in the Big Thompson canon Sunday, Mr. and Mrs. George Dauth being host and hostess. Sorority girls present were the Misses Lois Osborne, Pauline Hall, Laurene Brown, Dorothy Urie, Sally Smith, Goergia Strubol, Lura An Ross, Gwenith Dalph, Betty Allnutt, Ann Jeremiassen, Zella Summers, Hazel Fearon, Evelyn Malm, Mona Humphry, Margery Poor, Edna Lauck, Anneita Baggs, Ann Rank, Dorothy Vanerhoof, Susanna Moss, Eleanor Mapps, Georgia Moore, Arlene Walker, Alice Ogle, Morgan. Their guests were Messrs. Frank Sullivan, Richard Tatman, Edgar Olander, Lundel Hanse, James Ewing, Edward Bodine, Art Willet, Fred Good, Burton Swope, Leslie Dauth, Don Milligan, Virgel Elzie, Bob Harbaugh, Preston Strubel, Tony Griesmire, Max Ogle, Ted Anderson, Merlo Ogle, Henry Prnd-Homme, Manley Chrsitenson, Frank Strong.10Greeley Daily Tribune – November 26, 1929
Greeley Daily Tribune – November 26, 1929
Florence was active in many of Greeley’s social clubs. She was involved with a number of women’s organizations including “The Rebekahs”, the “North Ward Mother’s Circle”, and the “Kensington Club” and soon started inviting the clubs to have get-togethers at Idlewild.111909-11-04 – The Greeley Tribune – Florence Dauth With Rebekahs Club121911-05-25 – The Greeley Tribune – Florence Dauth With North Ward Mothers Circle131909-03-10 – The Greeley Tribune – Florence Dauth With Kensington Club
Kensington members and their husbands were entertained Sunday by Mrs. George Dauth at her beautiful rustic mountain home, Idlewild. A four-course dinner was served by the hostess, assisted by Mrs. Mary Craig, Mrs. Pauline Boomer, and Mrs. Mabel McCreery. Table decorations were of California poppies and sprays of autumn leaves, with tiny pine cones marking each place card. Visiting guests included Mr. and Mrs. Blair Rugh; Mrs. Van Kirk of Wichita, Kans.; Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Barney of Manitou; Mrs. Syrena Pendexter of Cornish, Me.; Mrs. Louise Clark; Elizabeth Boles and Charles Darling. The Dauth gardens have been landscaped and include two lily ponds and a fountain. Pink and red roses, pansies, asters, phlox and snapdragons are now in bloom, making a colorful setting for the mountain home.14Greeley Daily Tribune – September 24, 1929
Greeley Daily Tribune – September 24, 1929
Kensington club members with their husbands were entertained Sunday at a lovely luncheon given by Mrs. George Dauth, with Mrs. J. F. McCreary assistant hostess, at Idlewild, the beautiful mountain home of the Dauths in the Big Thompson canon. Garden flowers and unique place cards fashioned from alder branches made the large dining room very attractive. The hostess were assisted in serving by Misses Ann Jeremiassen and Beaulah Wilde. The afternoon was spent socially, with Miss Jeremiassen entertaining with piano selections. Next meeting of the club will be held Friday, Sept. 19, at the home of Mrs. W. F. Smith at 2024 Eight avenue.15Greeley Daily Tribune – September 11, 1930
Greeley Daily Tribune – September 11, 1930
Florence was also very active with Greeley’s Park Congregational Church and would often host the church’s youth club, known as the Congo Club, at the Lodge.
Congo Club Has Afternoon at Idlewilde on Sunday
Congo club party at the George Dauth cabin, Idlewilde, in the Thompson canon Sunday, drew a crowd of over 60 people. Several cars left the congregational church at 1:30, drivers including Walter Bliss, Dr. I. W. Howerth, Dr. E. A. Cross, Dr. F. L. Whitney, J. S. Doubenmier, F.J. Allnutt, W. E. Anderson, Stowe Witwer, and Roy. C. M. Houser. The party was planned for college young people who remained in Greeley over the weekend. Dr. Cross and Rev. Houser organized hikes during the afternoon and at 5 the party reassembled for a two-course chicken dinner, served by Group Two of the church. The committee included Mesdames George Dauth, C. A. Ringle, Anna M. Broman and J. B. McCutcheon. Following dinner, informal Congo club program was held, including music by Thomas Takamune and Edward Nakamura, reading by Billie Ross, group singing, and a story by Phyiabe Houston. The group left the cabin for Greeley at about 7 o-clock. Mr and Mrs. Dauth loaned their cabin to the group for the occasion.16Greeley Daily Tribune – November 3, 1931
Greeley Daily Tribune – November 3, 1931
Congo Club Has Mountain Party Attended by Fifty
Truckload of members and friends of the Congo club, young people’s organization of Park church, enjoyed an all day mountain trip to Bear Lake Saturday. Upon reaching the lake, the party separated, the majority hiking to Alberta Falls and Loch Vale, others going on up the trail to Dream Lake. The group returned to Idlewild, the mountain home of Mr. and Mrs. George Dauth, for a chili supper followed by an evening of games and dancing. Approximately 50 made the trip, most of them being college students. Rev. and Mrs. Ervine P Inglis accompanied the group.17The Greeley Tribune – October 16, 1934
The Greeley Tribune – October 16, 1934
As Florence hosted more parties and events, word of Idlewild Lodge spread, and soon people beyond Florence’s social circle begun asking if they too could come up to Idlewild.
29 Camp Cheskchamay Girls Go to Idlewilde
Twenty-nine Camp Cheskchamay Camp Fire girls, with their guardian, Mrs. Herman Baab, and others, are spending the week end at the George Dauth cabin Idlewilde, in Thompson canon. The girls left for the hills after school Friday and will return home Saturday evening. Mrs. Dauth gave the girls use of the cabin Friday night and Saturday. Mrs. Baab, Mrs. I. E. Stutsman, Albter Fine, D. B. Bier, F. J. Allnutt and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Lee took groups of girls to the hills, and Mrs. Lee, Mrs. George Patten, Mrs. T. J. Taylor and Mrs. Baab are chaperoning them there. Hikes were planned for Saturday, and those coming for the girls in the evening, to bring them home, are Dr. R. W. E. Newton, Dr. B. Woodcock, A. O. Calvin, Mrs. H. R. Hibbs, and Mrs. Fred Stearley. Mrs Baab, Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Taylor will be joined Sunday by their husbands and the Baab family, to remain over Sunday.18The Greeley Tribune – April 16, 1932
The Greeley Tribune – April 16, 1932
By the early 1930s Florence was renting out Idlewild Lodge throughout the entire summer. She continued to host lunches, dinner parties, and dances, but had began advertising the Lodge as a place where travelers could get a nights rest. Preparing the rooms, cooking meals and maintaining the property was a full time job, so Florence took one of the guest rooms during the summer months. Beginning in the mid 1930s Florence’s son and daughter-in-law, Leslie and Anna Dauth, had begun helping her manage the property.
By the 1940s Leslie and Anna were heading up most of duties at Idlewild Lodge, allowing Florence to spend more time with her social groups. She found a new interest playing cards and was a member of a number of gaming clubs, including the “Unique Card Club”, “Vincina Club”, “J. D. Bridge Club” and the “West Side Bridge Club.” Naturally she began hosting bridge tournaments for the club members at Idlewild.
June 29, 1941
Mrs. George Dauth and Mrs. Albert Luther entertained members of the Vicini club at the Dauth cottage, Idlewild, in the Thompson canon. Bridge was enjoyed, with Mrs. Pollly Bedlager and Mrs. Laura Patterson winning honors.19Greeley Daily Tribune – June 29th, 1951
Greeley Daily Tribune – June 29, 1951
Despite taking a step back from the role of Lodge hostess, she continued to assist Leslie and Anna into the 1950s, helping them prepare meals for guests and maintaining the gardens. For Florence Idlewild Lodge was a gathering place, where numerous memories had been made, and where she would continue to make them with friends, family, and those she loved.
Florence Dauth (left) with Carrie Jeremiassen (right), daughter-in-law Anna Dauth (2nd from right), and grandson Jerry Dauth (2nd from left), at Idlewild.