Otto and Dora Saupe

Otto Saupe, the present trustee of Carroll Township, O'Brien County, Iowa, was born in 1865 in Germany, the son of Theo and Johann (Miller) Saupe, who spent their lives in the land of their birth. They were the parents of seven children, all of whom were born in Germany; William, living in Illinois, Bruno, a farmer in O'Brien County, Iowa, Mrs. Anna Baker, a resident of Illinois, Frank, deceased, Emil, a farmer of this county; Mrs. Minnie Retus, living in Illinois, and Otto, whose life history is here delineated.

Otto Saupe came to America when he was twelve years of age, going first to Illinois, where he worked as a farm hand until 1887. He had received a good common school education in his native land and attended several seasons here. In 1887 he came to O'Brien County, Iowa, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Carroll Township, at a cost of fifteen and a half dollars an acre. This land has never been broken and he has so improved it that it is today easily worth two hundred dollars an acre. He has built a large and commodious barn, as well as a beautiful home, together with other buildings. He has three acres of orchard and a grove which he set out himself when he came to the land. The same prosperity which has come to all the German settlers of the country has come to him, and he is now the owner of four hundred acres of fine farming land in Carrol Township. He has been a breeder of Durham cattle, Norman horses and Chester White hogs, in addition to general farming, and he also holds a share in the Farmers Elevator Company of this county.

Mr. Saupe was married in 1888 to Dora Schmidt, who was a resident of Illinois, and this marriage has been born two sons, Frank and Theo. Theo is at home and Frank is married and is living on one of his father's farm. (This farm will receive a century farm award this summer on Aug. 20, 2015 in Des Moines Iowa at the Iowa State Fair.) Politically, Mr. Saupe is a progressive voter of the independent type and believes in casting his ballot in local elections for the best men, irrespective of party affiliations, and the fact that he has been elected trustee of his township shows that there are other voters in the township who believe the same way. It is an encouraging thing in our political situation of today to note that many of our citizens are becoming independent in the matter of their voting and vote for the best men, a change for the better which has come about in state and national politics. Mr. Saupe and the members of his family are strong adherents of the Lutheran church and contribute liberally to their substance to its support at all times. He is a member of the Ancient free and Accepted Masons of Primghar, Iowa. Mr. Saupe has won his success solely through his own individual efforts and deserves a great deal of credit for the clean and wholesome life he has led while accumulating his portion of this world's goals. He is a man of pleasing personality and easily wins friends wherever he goes.

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 Otto Saupe (My great grandfather)

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. The scholarships will be presented in May 13, 2015 at 8:30 AM. Many Saupe decedents will be present. Paul Saupe will be the presenter.