Bruno Saupe
In the year 1875 there came to America from Germany a little lad twelve years old without any money at all and with no knowledge of the English language. He came direct across the country to Illinois where he worked for a time with his uncle and attended the German Lutheran School. This small German lad, who had no capital other than that of a clear brain and a strong hand, is now one, the most prosperous farmers of Carrol Township, O'Brien County, Iowa. Bruno Saupe, ex-trustee of Carrol Township, this county, was born in Saxony, Germany, in 1863. He worked for his grandfather in his native county until he was about twelve years of age when he came to America. His parents were Theo and Christianna (Miller) Saupe, who came to America later. He had six brothers and sisters, all of whom came to America, William, Anna, Frank, Emil, Minnie and Otto. (My great grandfather.)Bruno Saupe went to live with his uncle Fred Miller, in Illinois, upon coming to this country in 1875, and for three years attended the German Lutheran church school in his locality, after which he worked at farm labor, and in 1881, although he was only eighteen years of age, he came to Benton County, Iowa and purchased eighty acres of land. Six years later he sold this tract and came to O'Brien County, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Carroll Township. He was only twenty-two years of age at this time and yet he did not hesitate to go into debt for it. This confidence in his own ability has made him the successful man that he is today. He has added from time to time to this original quarter section until now he is the owner of six hundred and forty acres of fine farming land in O'Brien county and three hundred and twenty acres in Colorado. On this home farm he has placed ten thousand dollars' worth of improvements and has a fine orchard grave of six acres. He also had an interest in the Farmer's Elevator Company at Archer, Iowa. He has been a large breeder of cattle and sells annually at least two car loads of cattle.
Mr. Saupe was married when he was twenty-four years of age to Sarah Fritsche, who was a resident of Illinois, and to the marriage has been born eight children. William, deceased, Edward, who is farming with his father, Anna, a graduate of Sheldon High School and the Teachers' Course at Cedar Falls, Iowa and is now teaching in Archer; Fred at home; Alice, Franklin, Herbert, and Lillian. The four younger children are still at home and attending school.
Mr. Saupe has been a Republican in politics and has been honored by his party by being nominated for the office of township trustee, and in this important office he administered the duties with entire satisfaction to all the citizens of the township, irrespective of politics. He is a regular and faithful attendant of the German Lutheran church and interested in the various activities of that denomination. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Mystic Shrine. He has always been interested in the educational affairs of his township and has served as a school director for ten years. During the period when he served as township trustee he was also instrumental in bringing the schools to a higher plan of efficiency and improving the schools in every way. Mr. Saupe and his brother, Otto, are fine examples of the German settlers who have made their home in O'Brien County, and are both esteemed for the wholesome lives they have led and beneficent influence which they have shed upon the life of their respective communities.
From Past and Present of O'Brien and Osceola Counties, Iowa
1914
by Hon. J. L. Peck and Hon. O H. Montzhemimer for O'Brien County Vol II
Submitted by Colleen Mae (Saupe-Cleveringa) Lemkuil April 26, 2015.
A Saupe Family scholarship in presented every year at the Sheldon Community High School for students to continue their education.
