My Genealogy Hound

NICHOLAS SAUER, one of the proprietors of the Evansville Flour Mill, stands foremost among the prominent business men of Evansville, who have contributed so largely to the financial prosperity of this part of the county. With true public spirit and characteristic liberality he has aided every enterprise that would in any way advance the welfare of the community or promote the growth of the city. In addition to his interest in the mill he owns valuable real estate in other portions of the county, which he rents to good advantage.

Our subject is a native of this state, having been born in Monroe County, March 21, 1831, and is a son of Philip and Elizabeth (Sensel) Sauer, natives of Germany. The father emigrated to the United States, locating in one of the eastern states, and after a residence there of a few years came to Illinois, where he married and carried on farming until his decease, in January, 1892, when eighty-three years of age. He was one of the pioneers of this county, having come here as early as 1837 and settled near what is now the present site of Red Bud. He was a prominent man in his community and held the office of Township Treasurer and Justice of the Peace.

The mother of our subject, who came to the United States a few years after the emigration of Mr. Sauer, was born in Germany. She had eight children, of whom all are living with one exception. Our subject remained with his parents until reaching his majority, and gained his first knowledge of books in the common schools of Monroe County. Later he took a course of study in the Commercial College at St. Louis, and when beginning life on his own account taught five terms of winter school and farmed during the summer.

Desiring to engage in business in the city, our subject began merchandising in St. Clair County, this state, and after nine months of indifferent success, sold his store. In company with his father he came to Evansville in 1866, and purchased the gristmill which he now owns in partnership with his brother. The mill which then had a capacity of one hundred and fifty barrels per day, now turns out three hundred barrels. Mr. Sauer gives employment to about thirty men, and by means of boats, ships the flour to points along the river. The mill is supplied with the most improved machinery, and the flour which they turn out is of the finest quality.

Miss Elizabeth Gerlache became the wife of our subject in 1866. She was born in Virginia, and has become the mother of the following five children: John W., Magdalena, Philip, William and George. His prompt and methodical business habits, good financial talent and tact in the management of affairs, have brought Mr. Sauer before the public as a desirable official. He was nominated for State Senator on the Republican ticket, but declined to accept the honor. He has been Township Trustee, and for twenty-one years was a member of the School Board. With his wife he is a devoted member of the Evangelical Church and retains the stanch decisive principles of that faith.