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Francis J. Uplegger Photographs circa 1915-circa 1965

CP SPC 187

Biographical Note

Franz John Theo Uplegger (more commonly known as Francis J. Uplegger) was born in Rostock, Germany on October 29, 1867. He emigrated to the United States in August of 1886 and settled in St. Louis, Missouri. He studied at the Concordia Seminary, but was not granted a Doctorate of Divinity until 1957. Uplegger was naturalized in 1895. In 1891, he became pastor of the St. John's congregation (Wisconsin Synod) in Hermansfort, Wisconsin. He went on to hold posts in Denmark and Germany and served as director of the Lutheran high school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin upon returning to the United States. In 1919 Uplegger followed his son (also a Lutheran pastor) to San Carlos, Arizona (then known as Rice) to establish a mission to the San Carlos Apache, where he remained for the rest of his life.

When Uplegger arrived in Arizona he was already familiar with German, English, Norwegian, French, Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. He learned the Apache language while at the mission and wrote a four-volume Apache-English dictionary. His works include Apache translations of most of the Lutheran catechism, creed, liturgy, and much of the Bible. Uplegger also assisted the San Carlos Apache in writing their constitution in 1930-1931. This document was later used as a model by many other tribes. Known fondly as "Old Man Missionary", Uplegger was officially adopted into the San Carlos tribe in 1961. He died on the reservation on June 13, 1964.

Uplegger married Emma Plass (1866-1925) on August 20, 1891 in Dodge County, Wisconsin. They had four children, Alfred Martin Johannes (1892-1984), Johanna (Uplegger) Rosin (1896-1983), Gertrude E. (1898-1991), and Dorothea (Uplegger) Behn (1902-1986).

Scope and Content Note

The Francis J. Uplegger photographs consist of snapshots, commercial photographs, and postcards collected by the family as mementos of the family and friends, their life as Lutheran missionaries on the San Carlos Indian Reservation, the Apache Indian community they served, and their vacations.

Photographs of the immediate family record significant events in their lives, for example weddings and births, and their pastimes, for example horseback riding. Many photographs show the surrounding landscape and the neighboring communities of Globe, Bylas, and Peridot.

Many photographs depict friends and members of congregations in Wisconsin and Minnesota where Francis Uplegger served. Many photographs of the church and parsonage built by Uplegger at San Carlos, and of other churches they visited, are included.

Photographs of Native Americans are principally of the San Carlos tribe; some photographs are of other tribes, indicating their general interest in Native American culture. These images include posed snapshot portraits, celebrations and ceremonies, and work. Many images relate to Indian education and show Dorothea Uplegger in the classroom.

The family traveled extensively by car, frequently returning to the Midwest to attend conferences of the Wisconsin Synod of the Lutheran Church. Many national parks and scenic attractions are recorded in snapshots and commercial views. Many postcards and photographs of the Apache Trail are present.

The albums have significant overlap in terms of date, subjects, and even specific images, with many photographs repeated in several albums.

Arrangement

Restrictions

Access Restrictions

Culturally sensitive Native American images located in this collection are restricted and cannot be made available to patrons in accordance with the Protocols for Native American Archival Materials.

To view this collection, make an appointment at least five business days prior to your visit by contacting Ask an Archivist or calling (480) 965-4932. Appointments in the Wurzburger Reading Room at Hayden Library (rm. 138) on the Tempe campus are available Monday through Friday. Check the ASU Library Hours page for current availability.

Copyright

Arizona State University retains copyright to those portions of this collection created by the Uplegger family. Requests for permissions to publish, display, or redistribute information from this collection must be submitted via our online application.

The University does not hold copyright to the remaining portions of this collection. Distinctive Collections recognizes that it is incumbent upon the researcher to obtain permission from the holder(s) of copyright for any uses which may infringe upon copyright.

Related Material

Red Man and White Man in Harmony: Songs in Apache and English (San Carlos, Arizona: Lutheran Indian Mission, circa 1966).

The Apache Scout (Whiteriver, Arizona: Lutheran Apache Missions of Arizona, et al., first published 1923).

A guide to unprocessed materials created by Francis J. Uplegger is available at http://www.azarchivesonline.org/xtf/view?docId=ead/asu/uplegger_acc.xml.

Access Terms

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Francis J. Uplegger Photographs, CP SPC 187, Arizona State University Library.

Provenance

Gertrude Uplegger donated these materials to the Arizona Collection (Accession #1991-00479).

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