The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1910-04-28
DEATH OF A PIONEER.
Mr.. Henry J. vogt, One of Icons
Oldest Citizens, Passed Away
Last Saturday Noon.

Mr.. Henry j. Vogt, vice president
of the Exchange National Bank, and
one of Icons oldest and most highly
respected citizens, passed away at
noon last Saturday, his death follow
ing general breaking down of some
months, and for the past several
weeks he had been confined to his
bed, although he was a remarkably
vigorous man for one of his advanced
years, being "a years, month and
25 days old.
Mr.. Vogt was born Feb %, 1926,
In the Kingdom of Hanover, Ger
many. He started to school when he
was six years old, and completed his
education at the age of fourteen
years, the school year in his native
country being but six months a year,
but he also attended night school and
acquired good education, gradual
ing at the age of fourteen years. He
worked on farm until he was 21
years OF age, and then decided to cast
his fortune in America. On Oct, 4,
lS48, he went to Bremen by rail, then
down the canal to Bremer-Haven.
where he took passage on the sailing
vessel Columbus, for New Orleans.
where he landed in December, 1S48.
the voyage consuming eight weeks.
Within few days he proceeded to
Cincinnati, Ohio, and from there to
indiana, where he worked on farm
and in grocery store for several
years.
In 1854 he decided to come west
and made trip to Iowa, and was so
we'll pleased with the country that he
returned the following year and
entered 240 acres of land in Wood
land township, building a log cabin
on the farm, and in the fall of 1856
he went back to Ohio, for his bride
being married to Miss Mary Anne
Berry at Newtown, Ohio, Dec. H..
1855. Two days after their marriage
the young couple started for the then
far west, coming by boat down the
Ohio river to Cairo, then up the Mis-
sissippi to Burlington, and from thel e
they came to Decatur county, max
ing the trip in wagon and for over
twenty years made their home on the
farm north of Woodland, and which
they have owned ever since.
Mr.. Vogt was hard worker, a
good farmer and accumulated con-
siderable property. On account of
his failing health he gave up farm
work and moved to Leon in the
spring of 1875, and engaged in the
grocery business for three years. He
then SOLD out, but a couple of years
later again entered the grocery bus
mess, but his continued i'll health
would not permit him to engage in
active business, and since then he
mas confined his attention to looking
after his big farm and other business
interests. He was one of the origi-
nal stockholders of the Exchange
Bank, and had been vice president
for many years.
At the age of eight days Mr.. Vogt
was christened into the Evangelical
Lutheran church, and was confirmed
, when he was fourteen years of age,
and remained a member of the
church for twenty years. While liv-
: ing in Ohio he became interested in
Spiritualism, investigated it and was
thoroughly convinced of spirit
? communion, and remained a firm
. believer until the spirit passed away
In the death of Mr.. Vogt Leon has
lost one of her most honored citizens
man who had no enemies, but
many friends, and his death is de-
plored by the entire community. He
was the last Of a family of six broth.
ers and one sister, and is survived by
| his aged companion, three daughters
Mrs. Louise Chambers, Mrs Char.
, lotte Bowsher and Miss Henrietta
; Vogt, and one son, Harry j. Vogt, al
: of Leon, one daughter, Maria, havine
died in infancy.
: He was a great lover of his home
and family, and took his creates
3 pleasure at his own fireside, sur
/ rounded by his family, and his every
j. thought was for their comfort ant
!, welfare.
$ Funeral services were held at the
family home on Monday morning a
10 o'clock, being in charge of tn,
Masonic lodge, of which he had fo
, many years been a member, and i
8 was his request that his brethren
should have charge Of his funeral
y He had his own ideas in regard t,
!, the end of earthly life, and one wa
that there should be nothing solemn
at his funeral, and that the bant
J, should play lively march music in
: stead of funeral dirges, as he dit
: not want to add any to the grief @
e his loved ones, but rather to lesse,
: their sorrow
: Interment was in the Leon GENE
; terry.
|