Dr. William Emil Sauer, a St. Louis physician now limiting his practice to diseases of the ear, nose and throat, was born in Evansville, Illinois, April 17, 1875. His father, Nicholas Sauer, also a native of that state, belonged to one of the old Illinois families of German descent, the first of the name in America being Philip Sauer, who on crossing the Atlantic made his way at once to Illinois, where he followed farming and stock raising. Nicholas Sauer became a successful flour manufacturer, carrying on business first at Evansville, Illinois, and later at Cherryvale, Kansas. He died in Evansville in 1908 at the age of sixty-seven years. In politics he was a republican and took quite an active interest in political and civic matters, standing at all times for progress and improvement in public affairs. He married Elizabeth Gerlach, who was born in Virginia and belonged to one of the old families of that state of German lineage. She is still living at the old home in Evansville. By her marriage she became the mother of five children, four sons and a daughter: John, residing at Cherryvale, Kansas; Magdeana, Philip and George, who make their home in Evansville; and William E.
In the acquirement of his education Dr. Sauer attended the public schools of Evansville, the high school at Sparta, Illinois, and Shurtleff College at Upper Alton, Illinois. He next entered the medical department of the Washington University in St. Louis and was graduated in 1896 with the At. D. degree. Following the completion of his studies he served as interne in the Female and City Hospitals in 1896 and 1897 and then entered the City Sanitarium, where he remained in professional work for a year. He next went abroad, spending two years in postgraduate work on diseases of the ear, nose and throat at Heidelberg, Berlin and Vienna. Following his return he located in St. Louis, where he has since specialized along those lines, and his ability has won him high rank in the field in which he labors. He is now a member of the medical staff of the St. Luke’s, Mullanphy and Bethesda Hospitals and is a member of the consulting staff of St. John’s’ and the Jewish Hospitals. Throughout his professional career he has kept in close touch with advanced methods, scientific investigation and continual progress of the profession. He has done this through private reading and study and also through the proceedings of various medical societies with which he is identified. He belongs to the St. Louis, Missouri State and American Medical Associations, the American Otological Society, the American Laryngological Society and the American Laryngological, Otological and Rhinological Society, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Otolaryngological Society and the American College of Surgeons, of which he is a charter member. He has been instructor in clinical laryngology in the Washington University and during the World war he became a captain of the medical corps and was instructor in laryngology at the medical officers training camp at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, receiving his honorable discharge on the 20th of January, 1919. At Sparta, Illinois, December 18, 1901, Dr. Sauer was married to Miss Irene Borders, who was born in Sparta, a daughter of J. J. and Mary (Ritchie) Borders, both of whom have now passed away. Dr. and Mrs. Sauer have one son, William Nicholas, born in St. Louis, July 25, 1908.
The Doctor finds his rest and diversion in hunting, fishing and golf. In politics he maintains an independent course, and religiously he is connected with the Second Presbyterian church, in which he is serving as a deacon. He belongs to Kaskakie Lodge, No. 1, A. F. & A. M., and is a member of a number of the leading clubs and social organizations of St. Louis, including the University, St. Louis, St. Louis Country and Bellerive Country Clubs. He is a man of high professional standing, of attractive personal qualities, and his popularity in social circles equals the position which he has attained through his professional acquirements.