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Leopoldo Preuss

Photo courtesy of Brazilian White Center - UNASP. 

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Preuss, Leopoldo (1887–1980)

By The Brazilian White Center – UNASP

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The Brazilian White Center – UNASP is a team of teachers and students at the Brazilian Ellen G. White Research Center – UNASP at the Brazilian Adventist University, Campus Engenheiro, Coelho, SP. The team was supervised by Drs. Adolfo Semo Suárez, Renato Stencel, and Carlos Flávio Teixeira. Bruno Sales Gomes Ferreira provided technical support. The following names are of team members: Adriane Ferrari Silva, Álan Gracioto Alexandre, Allen Jair Urcia Santa Cruz, Camila Chede Amaral Lucena, Camilla Rodrigues Seixas, Daniel Fernandes Teodoro, Danillo Alfredo Rios Junior, Danilo Fauster de Souza, Débora Arana Mayer, Elvis Eli Martins Filho, Felipe Cardoso do Nascimento, Fernanda Nascimento Oliveira, Gabriel Pilon Galvani, Giovana de Castro Vaz, Guilherme Cardoso Ricardo Martins, Gustavo Costa Vieira Novaes, Ingrid Sthéfane Santos Andrade, Isabela Pimenta Gravina, Ivo Ribeiro de Carvalho, Jhoseyr Davison Voos dos Santos, João Lucas Moraes Pereira, Kalline Meira Rocha Santos, Larissa Menegazzo Nunes, Letícia Miola Figueiredo, Luan Alves Cota Mól, Lucas Almeida dos Santos, Lucas Arteaga Aquino, Lucas Dias de Melo, Matheus Brabo Peres, Mayla Magaieski Graepp, Milena Guimarães Silva, Natália Padilha Corrêa, Rafaela Lima Gouvêa, Rogel Maio Nogueira Tavares Filho, Ryan Matheus do Ouro Medeiros, Samara Souza Santos, Sergio Henrique Micael Santos, Suelen Alves de Almeida, Talita Paim Veloso de Castro, Thais Cristina Benedetti, Thaís Caroline de Almeida Lima, Vanessa Stehling Belgd, Victor Alves Pereira, Vinicios Fernandes Alencar, Vinícius Pereira Nascimento, Vitória Regina Boita da Silva, William Edward Timm, Julio Cesar Ribeiro, Ellen Deó Bortolotte, Maria Júlia dos Santos Galvani, Giovana Souto Pereira, Victor Hugo Vaz Storch, and Dinely Luana Pereira.

 

 

First Published: July 14, 2021

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Leopoldo Preuss, a Brazil Publishing House pioneer, was born on February 8, 1887, in the city of Candelária, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Son of Germano Preuss and Claudina Michel Preuss, he had six siblings,1 Augusto Preuss (1886-1938),2 Ennis Victor Preuss (1888-1997),3 Guilherme Gustavo Preuss (1890-1983),4 Reinaldo Preuss (1892-), Antonieta Preuss (1894-), and Débora Malvina (1900-).5

Leopoldo was first married to Ingborg, with whom they had four children: Leopoldo Filho, Helmuth, Ingrid and Madalena. After her death, he married Victória Simon, and from this union were born Vilma, Damaris and Neli. In addition, they raised three children from Victória’s first marriage: Maria, Sebastião and José.6

The Preuss family has historical importance for the Adventist Church in Brazil for having been one of the first families to be reached by the Adventist missionaries in Rio Grande do Sul, in the end of the XIX century. When reporting this story in Revista Adventista (Adventist Review), Leopoldo acknowledged the divine providence in his life since his childhood. His father had a warehouse business in Candelária, Rio Grande do Sul, in 1890-1894. In 1894, amid the Federalist Rio Grande do Sul Revolution (1893-1895), six hundred men on horseback came to the family’s farm and broke into his mother’s room. However, she didn’t have physical money with her, so they plundered the warehouse, taking everything from it.7

Soon after, the rebels plundered the family soap factory. While the soldiers marched towards the factory, Leopoldo took his two brothers to their neighbor’s house, right across the market garden. At this moment one of the rebels pointed a rifle to kill the three of them, but one of the henchmen said to his mate, “Leave these guys alone, they’re innocent.” At the time Leopoldo was eight years old. From dawn to midday, 200 to 300 men fought against 40 soldiers that the government had sent from Porto Alegre to protect Germano, a Federalist. After the conflict death of the second lieutenant, his father took command over the battle, it was won by the 40 men. In Leopoldo’s words, by losing his business, his father “should understand the lesson of being humiliated, so that when the Adventist message would come to be presented to him, he would be ready to accept it.”8

Still in 1894, the Preuss’ moved to Taquari, where they opened a beverage warehouse and a hotel. On a certain Thursday, a pioneer canvasser called Albert Stauffer arrived there, to present the book Patriarchs and Prophets (in German) to them. Before continuing his travels to the cities of Estrela and Teutônia, he spent three days explaining the Adventist message to Germano, including the Sabbath keeping. Impressed by the personal witnessing of Stauffer and by the Bible explanations, Germano decided to take off the title of hotel from their house wall and to stop receiving guests. However, Germano Preuss kept his hospitable spirit towards his new brothers and sisters in faith. In the future, pioneers Huldreich F. Graf, John Lipke, Paul Krämer and Germano Streithorst would live in his house.9

In October 1897, Stauffer and Graf traveled together to Rio Grande do Sul, in order to visit the families that had accepted the Adventist message through canvassing work. The South region had been especially evangelized by Stauffer, who knew the German language, and for that reason, he could reach many Germanic colonies in that territory. Since Stauffer wasn’t an ordained pastor, one of the goals of this trip was to bring pastor Graf to carry out the baptisms of those who wanted to become Adventist, as well as edifying their faith. According to Graf’s report in The Missionary Magazine, in October 1897, the first six baptisms in Rio Grande do Sul were carried out in the city of Porto Alegre. After passing through Ijuí and São Pedro, they met Ernst Schwantes to whom Stauffer had sold many books in the Germanic Village. Afterwards, they went to visit the Preuss family in Taquari, along with Schwantes who really wanted to meet Germano, for they had fought in opposing sides in the Federalist Rio Grande do Sul Revolution. After hugging and confessing their sins, both were baptized on that occasion, in 1898.10

Leopoldo was about eleven years old when his father was baptized. The teachings shared by Stauffer, Graf, and the other pioneers that were staying in his house exerted a great influence so that he could also become an Adventist. In 1901, at the age of 14, Leopoldo went to study at the Curitiba School, state of Paraná, founded by the teacher Paul Krämer. From 1902 to 1904, he studied at the Adventist missionary school of Gaspar Alto, state of Santa Catarina, founded by Guilherme Stein. In 1904, at only 17 years of age, he accepted the invitation of working as an apprentice at the Brazil Tract Society (current Brazil Publishing House). There, Leopoldo devoted himself to the publishing work as a typographer, linotyper, printer and bookbinder until his retirement. In the following 57 years, he could witness and contribute with the development of the publishing house.11

In October 1904, the first printing machines from North America arrived and were installed in Taquari. The first review published in Portuguese was named Arauto da Verdade (Herald of Truth), and it was printed in eight pages. The team was composed by Guilherme Stein Jr., editor; Gregory and his wife as translators and proofreaders; Emílio Schenk, editor; Emílio Hoezle; Kümpel; Conrado, and others.12

In 1906, Leopoldo began his work as a linotyper. In the same year, he and his team made a 16-page edition of 50 thousand issues of Arauto da Verdade. Only four pages fitted the platen. Therefore, it was necessary to work day and night for a week, since the machine was man-powered by eight people that took turns every 4 hours. At the end of 1907, the publishing house was transferred to the city of São Bernardo, current Santo André, in the state of São Paulo.13

In December 1908, Leopoldo went to Hamburg, Germany, where he was an intern at the local Adventist publishing house for three years, where he specialized in technical works of printing, bookbinding and stereotypy. In 1912, he went back to Santo André, where he remained serving in the typography and linotype areas. In the same year, an electric wiring company arrived at the place where the Brazil Tract Society was established, and they installed electric motors in their machines. In 1915, it had its name changed to Brazil Publishing House (in Portuguese, Casa Publicadora Brasileira), as it is called today.14

In 1940, Leopoldo went from the typography and linotype department to the printing department, and in 1949 he was appointed as chief until the end of his career. He retired in 1962, at the age of 75.15 Leopoldo died in October 12, 1980, at the age of 94, in Santo André, and his memorial service was carried out by pastor Enéas Simon.16

Leopoldo Preuss left a legacy of dedication and service to the publishing work in Brazil. He was one of the first natives hired to work at the Brazil Publishing House, where he served for 58 years. He witnessed the arrival of the first printing machine from the United States, and participated in the printing of the first editions of the Arauto da Verdade reviews. His desire was to serve in the work of publishing until the return of Jesus.17

Sources

“Augusto Preuss obituary.” Revista Adventista, vol. 33, n. 03, March, 1938.

Belz, Rodolfo. “Coluna Paulista.” Revista Adventista, year 32, n. 4, April, 1937.

“Enis Victor Preuss obituary.” Revista Adventista, year 93, n. 03, March, 1997.

“Guilherme Gustavo Preuss obituary.” Revista Adventista, year 78, n. 07, July, 1983.

Gregory, Lula Corliss. “Medical Missionary Work in Brazil.” ARH, June 25, 1902.

“H. F. Graf.” ARH, June 26, 1947.

H. F. Graf. “Travels in Rio Grande do Sul.” The Missionary Magazine, vol. 11, n. 06, June, 1899.

Meyers, E. H. “A Review of Beginnings in South America.” South American Bulletin, vol. 04, n. 05, May, 1928.

“Morre o Último Pioneiro da Obra de Publicações no Brasil — L. Preuss.” Revista Adventista, year 75, n. 11, November, 1980.

“Neli Preuss obituary.” Revista Adventista, year 33, n. 10, January, 1963.

Preuss, Leopoldo. “Era Iminente a Volta de Cristo em 1895?” Revista Adventista, year 65, n. 12, December, 1970.

Preuss, Leopoldo. “O começo da Mensagem no Brasil.” Revista Adventista, year 58, n. 04, April, 1963.

Preuss, Leopoldo. “Os Primeiros Tempos de Nossa Obra de Publicações no Brasil.” Revista Adventista, year 63, n. 05, May, 1968.

Schwantes, Siegfried Júlio. Professor toda a vida: uma autobiografia de Siegfried J. Schwantes. 1st edition. São Paulo, SP: Instituto Adventista de Ensino, [19--?].

Spies, F. W. “Brazil.” ARH, December 28, 1897.

Streithorst, Germano. “Rumo ao Brasil Sob a Proteção Divina.” Revista Adventista, year 66, n. 12, December, 1971.

Stauffer, A. B. “Brazil.” ARH, April 26, 1898.

Stauffer, A. B. “The Second School in Brazil.” ARH, February 8, 1898.

Timm, Alberto R. “História da Igreja.” Revista Adventista, year 100, n. 02, February, 2005.

Van Horn, I. D. “Brazil.” ARH, February 15, 1898.

“Victória Simon Preuss obituary.” Revista Adventista, year 68, n. 05, May, 1973.

Waldvogel, Luis. “Despede-se um veterano.” Revista Adventista, year 58, n. 01, January, 1963.

Waldvogel, Luis. “Dia dos Humildes Começos.” Revista Adventista, year 66, n. 12, December, 1971.

Waldvogel, Luis. “Despede-se um Veterano.” Revista Adventista, year 58, n. 01, January, 1963.

Watts, Ralph S. “Fifty-five Years of Service.” ARH, July 14, 1960.

Notes

  1. “Morre o Último Pioneiro da Obra de Publicações no Brasil — L. Preuss,” Revista Adventista, year 75, n. 11, November, 1980, 21, 22; Alberto Timm, “História da Igreja,” Revista Adventista, year 100, n. 02, February, 2005, 12; Leopoldo Preuss, “O começo da Mensagem no Brasil,” Revista Adventista, year 58, n. 04, April, 1963, 26.↩

  2. “Augusto Preuss obituary,” Revista Adventista, vol. 33, n. 03, March, 1938, 16.↩

  3. “Enis Victor Preuss obituary,” Revista Adventista, year 93, n. 03, March, 1997, 28.↩

  4. “Guilherme Gustavo Preuss obituary,” Revista Adventista, year 78, n. 07, July, 1983, 36.↩

  5. “Morre o Último Pioneiro da Obra de Publicações no Brasil — L. Preuss,” Revista Adventista, year 75, n. 11, November, 1980, 21.↩

  6. Ibid.; “Victória Simon Preuss,” Revista Adventista, year 68, n. 05, May, 1973, 22; “Neli Preuss,” Revista Adventista, year 33, n. 10, January, 1938, 15.↩

  7. Leopoldo Preuss, “O começo da Mensagem no Brasil,” Revista Adventista, year 58, n. 04, April, 1963, 26.↩

  8. Ibid.↩

  9. Leopoldo Preuss, “O começo da Mensagem no Brasil,” Revista Adventista, year 58, n. 04, April, 1963, 26; Leopoldo Preuss, “Os Primeiros Tempos de Nossa Obra de Publicações no Brasil,” Revista Adventista, year 63, n. 05, May, 1968, 28; Leopoldo Preuss, “Era Iminente a Volta de Cristo em 1895?,” Revista Adventista, year 65, n. 12, December, 1970, 21; “H. F. Graf,” ARH, June 26, 1947, 26; Luis Waldvogel, “Dia dos Humildes Começos,” Revista Adventista, year 66, n. 12, December, 1971, 24; Germano Streithorst, “Rumo ao Brasil Sob a Proteção Divina,” Revista Adventista, year 66, n. 12, December, 1971, 7.↩

  10. H. F. Graf, “Travels in Rio Grande do Sul,” The Missionary Magazine, vol. 11, n. 06, June, 1899, 238; F. W. Spies, “Brazil,” ARH, December 28, 1897, 831; A. B. Stauffer, “Brazil,” ARH, April 26, 1898, 272; Leopoldo Preuss, “O começo da Mensagem no Brasil,” Revista Adventista, year 58, n. 04, April, 1963, 26; Leopoldo Preuss, “Os Primeiros Tempos de Nossa Obra de Publicações no Brasil,” Revista Adventista, year 63, n. 05, May, 1968, 28; Leopoldo Preuss, “Era Iminente a Volta de Cristo em 1895?,” Revista Adventista, year 65, n. 12, December, 1970, 21; Siegfried J. Schwantes, Professor toda a vida: uma autobiografia de Siegfried J. Schwantes, (São Paulo, SP: Instituto Adventista de Ensino, n.d.), 8-10; A. B. Stauffer, “The Second School in Brazil,” ARH, February 8, 1898, 95.↩

  11. Leopoldo Preuss, “O começo da Mensagem no Brasil,” Revista Adventista, year 58, n. 04, April, 1963, 27; Leopoldo Preuss, “Os Primeiros Tempos de Nossa Obra de Publicações no Brasil,” Revista Adventista, year 63, n. 05, May, 1968, 28; Luis Waldvogel, “Despede-se um Veterano,” Revista Adventista, year 58, n. 01, January, 1963, 23; Lula Corliss Gregory, “Medical Missionary Work in Brazil,” ARH, June 25, 1902, 15.↩

  12. Leopoldo Preuss, “O começo da Mensagem no Brasil,” Revista Adventista, year 58, n. 04, April, 1963, 27; Leopoldo Preuss, “Os Primeiros Tempos de Nossa Obra de Publicações no Brasil,” Revista Adventista, year 63, n. 05, May, 1968, 28.↩

  13. Leopoldo Preuss, “Os Primeiros Tempos de Nossa Obra de Publicações no Brasil,” Revista Adventista, year 63, n. 05, May, 1968, 29; Leopoldo Preuss, “O começo da Mensagem no Brasil,” Revista Adventista, year 58, n. 04, April, 1963, 27; W. L., “Despede-se um veterano,” Revista Adventista, year 58, n. 01, January, 1963, 23.↩

  14. Ibid.↩

  15. W. L., “Despede-se um veterano,” Revista Adventista, year 58, n. 01, January, 1963, 23.↩

  16. “Morre o Último Pioneiro da Obra de Publicações no Brasil — L. Preuss,” Revista Adventista, year 75, n. 11, November, 1980, 21.↩

  17. Ralph S. Watts, “Fifty-five Years of Service,” ARH, July 14, 1960, 21; and E. H. Meyers, “A Review of Beginnings in South America,” South American Bulletin, vol. 04, n. 05, May, 1928, 6.↩

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UNASP, The Brazilian White Center –. "Preuss, Leopoldo (1887–1980)." Encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventists. July 14, 2021. Accessed January 16, 2025. https://encyclopedia.adventist.org/article?id=EGN3.

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UNASP, The Brazilian White Center –. "Preuss, Leopoldo (1887–1980)." Encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventists. July 14, 2021. Date of access January 16, 2025, https://encyclopedia.adventist.org/article?id=EGN3.

Copy to clipboard Download Word File

UNASP, The Brazilian White Center – (2021, July 14). Preuss, Leopoldo (1887–1980). Encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventists. Retrieved January 16, 2025, https://encyclopedia.adventist.org/article?id=EGN3.

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