Vogel, W. F.

VOGEL, SCHWARTING

Posted By: Gary Norris (email)
Date: 12/3/2012 at 08:10:47

Few men are better known in the commercial circles of Malcom than W. F. Vogel, proprietor of an extensive hardware business here. He is numbered among Germany's contribution to the citizenship of Iowa, his birth having occurred in Dehausen, Waldeck, Germany, September 14, 1859. His parents, Ludwig and Carolina Vogel, where also natives of the fatherland, where the former, a farmer by occupation passed away when the son was but six years old. The mother later came to the United States to visit her children and here her death occurred in 1902. In their family were four children, namely: Wilhelmina, who died in Wisconsin; Ludwig, whose death occurred on the old home place in Germany; Christina, who passed away in Scott county, Iowa; and W. F., of this review.
The last named remained a resident of the fatherland until he was sixteen years of age and then, accompanied by his sister Christina, he sought a home and fortune in the new world, arriving in Davenport, Iowa, in 1874. He attended school in that city for two years and then engaged in clerking in a grocery store for a similar period. Upon the expiration of that time he went to Walcott, Scott county, Iowa, where he was employed in a general store for about five years, and on the 29th of September, 1883, arrived in Malcom. On the 4th of October of that year he opened a general store here. He was engaged in that business until 1890, when he sold out and established his present hardware business, which has since become one of the most successful and prominent enterprises of the town. Mr. Vogel now owns his own building, a two-store brick structure, twenty-two by eighty-four feet, and also a warehouse, one story in height, twenty-two by forty feet. The entire space is occupied by the business, which now has one of the most extensive stocks of general hardware in Poweshiek county. The progressive condition of the house is due in large measure to the excellent business policy inaugurated by its owner, which from the first has been such as to win the confidence of the general public. He has ever employed modern and progressive methods and his dealings in every instance have been honorable and straightforward. Moreover he has recognized the fact that satisfied patrons are the best advertisement and, carefully studying the wishes of his customers, has sought to satisfactorily meet the demands of every class of trade. His success ranks him among the substantial and prosperous business men of the city. He is interested in Texas land lying along the gulf coast, and six years ago purchased his present attractive home on the north side of the square.
In 1883 Mr. Vogel was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Schwarting, who was born in Ichtershausen, Germany, on the 3d of February, 1864, a daughter of Bernhardt and Dorothea Schwarting, both of whom passed away in Scott county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Vogel were born four children; Irma C., Edna T., Walter B., and Stella M. Mr. Vogel was reared n the faith of the German Evangelical Lutheran church, of which he is a member, and he also belongs to the Royal Arch Masons and the Knights of Pythias. Although the development of his business interests has made heavy demands upon his time and attention, he has nevertheless taken an active interest in the public affairs of the community and his fellow citizens, recognizing his personal worth and ability, have called him to fill various offices. He is a stanch supporter of the democratic party and on that ticket was nominated for county treasurer in 1906. From 1893 until 1897 he served as postmaster of Malcom, under President Cleveland's administration, and for twenty-five consecutive years served as township trustee. For the past five years he has been a member of the board of education and is the present treasurer of Malcom. He has ever discharged his duties with marked ability and fairness, for he is a most loyal, public-spirited citizen, and as a business man he has been conspicuous among his associates, not only for this success but for his probity, fairness and honorable methods.

History of Poweshiek County Iowa
- A Record of Settlement, Organizations, Progress and Achievement, Vol. II
written by Prof. L. F. Parker.
Published by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., in 1911
Pages 107-108