People > Notable Norkans > George Sauer
George Sauer
George Sauer was born in Norka on October 7, 1894, the son of Conrad Sauer and Catharina Margaretha Glanz.
George's father, Conrad, died of a sudden heart attack on June 8, 1901. Shortly thereafter, his widow, Catharina Margaretha, along with their three sons, Ludwig (1883), George, and Peter (born 1900), immigrated to the United States, arriving in New York on September 13, 1902. The family was destined for Lincoln, Nebraska, where Catharina Margaretha would be reunited with her older sister, Catharina, and brother-in-law, Johannes Feuerstein. Conrad Sauer's brother, Nicholas (Nick), and his wife, Christina Arndt, also lived in Lincoln. The extended family in America helped raise the three young boys.
George and his brothers were talented athletes and began wrestling at an early age. George started his professional wrestling career in 1916. At 5'10" and 190 pounds, he wrestled as a light heavyweight under the names George Sauer, George Sauers, George Barnes, George Steele, and as one of the Masked Marvels. George held the title of Washington State Light Heavyweight Champion in 1926 and 1927. He won the World's Middleweight Championship in 1932, defeating Gus Kallio.
After participating in at least 982 matches, George wrapped up his long professional career on April 17, 1941, in a final match against Angelo Martinelli in New Orleans.
George's father, Conrad, died of a sudden heart attack on June 8, 1901. Shortly thereafter, his widow, Catharina Margaretha, along with their three sons, Ludwig (1883), George, and Peter (born 1900), immigrated to the United States, arriving in New York on September 13, 1902. The family was destined for Lincoln, Nebraska, where Catharina Margaretha would be reunited with her older sister, Catharina, and brother-in-law, Johannes Feuerstein. Conrad Sauer's brother, Nicholas (Nick), and his wife, Christina Arndt, also lived in Lincoln. The extended family in America helped raise the three young boys.
George and his brothers were talented athletes and began wrestling at an early age. George started his professional wrestling career in 1916. At 5'10" and 190 pounds, he wrestled as a light heavyweight under the names George Sauer, George Sauers, George Barnes, George Steele, and as one of the Masked Marvels. George held the title of Washington State Light Heavyweight Champion in 1926 and 1927. He won the World's Middleweight Championship in 1932, defeating Gus Kallio.
After participating in at least 982 matches, George wrapped up his long professional career on April 17, 1941, in a final match against Angelo Martinelli in New Orleans.
Poster advertising a wrestling match between Joe Savoldi and George Sauer(s). Source: Professional Wrestling Historical Society (Facebook).
George's younger brother, Peter, became one of the most successful professional wrestlers in the country and internationally under the ring name Ray Steele. George's brother, Ludwig, who changed his name to "Louis," was the father of the famous footballer George Heinrich Sauer, who played for the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Green Bay Packers. George Heinrich Sauer's son, George Sauer Jr., was also an outstanding college football player and NFL star.
George died on January 25, 1978, in San Antonio, Texas, at the age of 83.
George died on January 25, 1978, in San Antonio, Texas, at the age of 83.
Three Sauer brothers in the front row, seated from left to right: Peter Sauer (aka Ray Steele), Louis Sauer, and George Sauer. Standing in the back from left to right are the three sons of Louis: Bob, George H. ("Little George"), and Eddie. All three sons were outstanding football players. Source: Professional Wrestling Historical Society (Facebook).
Sources
Norka Church Register 1891-1905, Household 99.
Ship manifest, U.S. Census Records, death records - Ancestry.com
George Sauer profile on Wrestlingdata.com accessed October 31, 2025
Ship manifest, U.S. Census Records, death records - Ancestry.com
George Sauer profile on Wrestlingdata.com accessed October 31, 2025
Last updated November 1, 2025