JOSEPH SAUER

B. December 1, 1839 Bavaria, Germany

D. February 26, 1920 Oldham County

 

Joseph Sauer was born in Germany, came to America at the age of eleven and met his wife-to-be Margaret Devine in New Jersey.  They married in New York and had fifteen children, eleven of whom lived to mature age.  The family came to Louisville in the early 1860's and in 1873 to LaGrange where Joseph opened a brick yard.  Brick for the courthouse, the Sauer Building, and all the pavements in LaGrange were made by him.  In 1875 he ran a mercantile business with his brother, Charles Sauer, who had been here for a few years.  Their partnership was dissolved in 1901 and Joseph continued the business until his death.  Joseph was a pioneer in the introduction of many articles, back then almost unheard of, but today in common use.  He was one of the most prominent business men of LaGrange. 

He died at the age of 80 and his remains were taken to Louisville on a special interurban car.  Knights Templars were in charge of the funeral.  He was laid to rest at St. Louis Cemetery beside his wife and four of his children. 

In 1920 his obituary listed his surviving children as:  Mrs. Lavinia Bates, Mrs. Annie Morrison, Mrs. Joseph Kilcourse, Mrs. G. B. Young, Mrs. Chester Thompson, Miss Julia Sauer, Mrs. Delmar Caldwell, Mrs. Walter Overstreet, William Sauer and Foree Sauer.

 

The Sauer Building still stands on Main Street.  The large, two-story brick building is between 1st and 2nd Street, facing north.  It was built in 1874 by Caspar Sauer and Son (Casper / Casper Sauer was Joseph's father).  The merchandise business was in the first floor and the second story was often spoken of as the "opera house".  It became the entertainment center for Oldham County used for minstrel shows, dancing, plays and musical performances.  Flyers and posters stated the gathering place as "Sauers Hall". 

 

Joseph Sauer lived on Madison.  The brick yard was behind his home.  According to old maps this would be the home that still stands on 110 Madison Street.  The next street behind Madison is now called Sauer Alley.  Again, according to maps, it appears several Sauer relations lived on Madison at one time.