He was a well-known merchant on the south side of Milwaukee. He and his wife operated a dry goods store below their residence at 2508 South Seventh Street, Milwaukee. After his death in 1935, his wife continued to operate the store until her retirement in 1941.

August's obituary was in the August 1, 1935 edition of the Milwaukee Journal. The obituary of his wife, Teckla, was in the July 20, 1955 edition of that paper.