BIOS: August D. FLOTO, Meyersdale, Somerset County, PA

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW, Vol. XXXII, Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens of 
Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania. Boston, Biographical Review 
Publishing Company: 1899, pp 332-333.

  August D. Floto, a prominent business man of Meyersdale, Somerset County, Pa., 
was born in the Duchy of Brunswick, Germany, January 28, 1832, son of Frederick 
and Frederica Floto.  The father emigrated with his family in 1848, landing at 
Baltimore, Md., and, coming to Pennsylvania, settled in Berlin, this county.  He 
followed the carpenter's trade for a time, but later engaged in the grocery 
business.  He died in 1853.  He had three children, namely: August D., the 
subject of this sketch; Hannah, who died in 1862; and Dorothy, who married 
Tobias S. Fisher, of Berlin, Pa.
  August D. Floto was educated in Germany.  After his arrival in this country he 
learned the cigar-maker's trade with his uncle, Henry Floto, in Berlin, Pa., and 
later worked as a journeyman in Cumberland, Baltimore and Wheeling.  He was 
engaged in business for himself in Berlin and Johnstown, Pa., previous to the 
Civil War, in which he served as a member of Company A, Tenth Regiment, 
Pennsylvania Reserves.  He participated in the Peninsular campaign, was wounded 
in the right shoulder at the battle of Fredericksburg, was sent to the hospital, 
and was honorably discharged in Washington, D.C., June 22, 1863.  After leaving 
the army he engaged in the hotel business, keeping the Mansion House, Berlin, a 
year, and the Union Springs House, Johnstown, for the same length of time.  
Resuming the cigar business in the last-named place, he remained until 1869, 
when he returned once more to Berlin, and was in business there until 1889.  
Settling in Meyersdale, he sold cigars upon the road for the next three years.  
At the end of that time he opened a factory, and has since conducted a 
flourishing business.  He is also engaged in the insurance business, and 
represents several reliable companies.  His well-known business ability and 
integrity have made him especially eligible to public office, and while residing 
in Berlin he served as Justice of the Peace five years and as Tax Collector one 
term.  He was elected a Justice of the Peace for the borough of Meyersdale in 
1892, and re-elected in 1896.  In politics he was formerly a Democrat, but now 
acts with the Republican party.
  In 1853 Mr. Floto was united in marriage with Rosa A. Zorn, daughter of Jacob 
and Gertrude (Maust) Zorn.  They have had ten children, seven of whom are 
living, namely: the Rev. Charles T. Floto, a Lutheran minister, residing in 
Dyson, Ohio; William Henry, a member of the firm of H. Floto & Brothers, cigar 
manufacturers, Meyersdale; Eugene R., who is a member of that concern and 
assistant cashier of a bank in this town; Daniel A., also a member of the firm 
of H. Floto & Brothers; Rosa, who married Henry Ferner, and resides in 
Meyersdale; August T., another member of the firm; and Rebecca, who married John 
E. Baker, a railway employee, and resides in Maryland.  Mr. and Mrs. Floto also 
have an adopted daughter, Lulu H. Floto.
  Mr. Floto is a Past Grand of Berlin Lodge, I.O.O.F., having joined when he was 
twenty-one years old; is a Past Commander of Berlin Post, G.A.R.; and belongs to 
the Knights of the Golden Eagle, in Meyersdale.  He is an Elder of the Lutheran 
church.