SACHAU, JOHN F.

SACHAU, SIEVERS

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 8/26/2003 at 22:59:13

Biography reproduced from page 536 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

Diversified farming, stock-raising and dairying engage the attention of John F. Sachau, who owns eighty acres of substantially improved and cultivated land on section 10, Buffalo township. He is one of the estimable citizens Germany has furnished Kossuth county, his birth having occurred in Holstein, on the 17th of January, 1875. His father, John Sachau, was born, reared and married in Holstein, which was the birthplace of his three eldest children. He made his home in Germany until 1881, when he emigrated to the United States with his family, first locating in Cook county, Illinois. For thirteen years thereafter he engaged in gardening just without the corporate limits of the city of Chicago, but at the expiration of that time he came to Iowa. Upon his arrival here he bought eighty acres of land in Kossuth county, located across the road from the present farm of his son, John F. He diligently applied himself to the further improvement and cultivation of this place for many years, but he has now withdrawn from active work and is living retired, making his home with our subject.

As he was a child of only six years when he came to the United States with his parents, John F. Sachau received his education in the public schools of Chicago. He early began to assist his father with the work of the gardens, and thus acquired his first knowledge of agricultural pursuits. He accompanied his people when they removed to Kossuth county, where for some time he continued to be associated with his father in the operation of the home farm. Subsequently he purchased a tract of eighty acres across the road, where he has since engaged in farming, stock-raising and dairying for himself. As he is practical and energetic and directs his undertakings in an intelligent and capable manner he has prospered. During the period of his ownership he has improved his place by the erection of an attractive and comfortable residence, substantial barn, granary and outbuildings. The entire tract is fenced and the greater portion of it tiled. He has planted a large grove of shade trees, thus adding both to the comfort and appearance of his place, the value of which he has further increased by planting an orchard. In connection with the cultivation of his fields, Mr. Sachau is raising high-grade cattle and hogs, meeting with good success in both lines of his business. He also does dairying and is one of the stockholders of the Titonka Creamery Association. He conducts his undertakings in a systematic manner, as is evidenced by the well kept appearance of his fields as well as by the condition of his stock. Although he is progressive in his ideas, he is conservative in his methods of execution, and directs his activities along well organized lines, exercising sound judgment and intelligence in whatever he undertakes.

In Chicago on the 22d of March, 1903, Mr. Sachau was married to Miss Ida Sievers, a native of Cook county, where she was also reared and educated. Four children have been born to them, John, Ida, Myrtle and Henry.

Fraternally Mr. Sachau is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is past grand master of the Titonka lodge in which he has passed through all of the chairs. He is public-spirited in matters of citizenship and takes an active interest in local politics, supporting the republican party. He is serving as clerk of the school district, of which office he has been the incumbent for four years, and he has also discharged the duties of township trustee and assessor, having served in the latter capacity for three terms. He is a man of high integrity and honorable motives, and in the fulfillment of his public duties manifests the same qualities that characterize his business transactions.