Voight, William "Buffalo Bill" 1859-1930

VOIGHT

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 8/9/2022 at 10:02:32

 Voight, William “Buffalo Bill” abt 1859 – 1930

This story was taken from pages 345-346 of the Ireton Centennial Book (1882-1982). The story was transcribed for this BIOS by Beth De Leeuw of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society. Some research notes were added by Wilma J. Vande Berg.

“Buffalo Bill” – Wm. Voight – “Story Teller Supreme” (Windy). He’d move a pot hole and build a cistern for you. He’d finish shocking bundles before the binder made its last round.

Ad - “Now is the time to have your cistern cleaned and repaired, for your health depends on the water you drink. Digging cisterns is my specialty. Wm. Voight” – Apr. 8, 1917 ad in the local newspaper.

He worked for a time as a hired man on the Henry Dittmer farm NE of Ireton, besides digging and reconditioning cisterns. He was a “drifter” and claimed he came from Hoboken, N.J.

He was a beautiful writer and made the diplomas for Ireton High School many years. He is mostly remembered for his stories and he was seen being followed by the “neighborhood children.” Ducks migrated heavily through here in those days, and Buffalo Bill said it reminded him when he stood in the midst of the flocks, picking them out of the air with both hands, as they flew by. He said he would move a post hole and built a cistern for you. He’s finish shocking bundles before the binder made its last round.

Every Sat. afternoon he could be seen on the street selling The Chicago Herald and Examiner, the local “funny paper” of the time. His 10-gallon hat, large mustache and flannel plaid shirt were part of the Ireton scene for many years.

In spite of his flamboyant appearance, he was a precise, meticulous workman and very neat in his personal habits and in the care of his humble living quarters (behind Wm. Colwell’s carpenter shop), a paradox no one quite understood. We accepted him as he was, which is the way he wished. At the time of his death in the early 1930’s, his body was taken to the Iowa City Hospital.

Ireton Ledger of Dec 12, 1929
Wm. Voight was taken to the county home last Monday to receive the care and attention of the attendants at that place at least during the winter months. Mr. Voight has not been in very good health for sometime and during the past few weeks has complained of intensive rheumatic pains and for several day was unable to leave his home. He had been living alone in a room at the rear of the Dale Building where he attempted to care for himself until friends interceded and aided in his removal to the county home. County Supervisor Noethe came to Ireton Monday and escorted him to his new abiding place.

January 23 1930 Hawarden Independent Sunday Wm Voight has been ill at Orange City but is better at this writing.

1920 census of Reading Sioux Iowa William Voigt was 61 born about 1859 New York, single, parents born in Germay, a laborer. He was a roomer at Charles Muths’.

1870 census - Possible parents Gustav Voight 46 and Bertha Voight 45 son William Voight 11 home in 1870 Jersey City Hudson New Jersey.

OBITUARY – William Voight / Voigt
Ireton Ledger of Mar 6th 1930
William Voight died at County Home Thursday
William Voight familiarly known here as Buffalo Bill passed away at the county home near Orange City last Thursday following a protracted illness. The deceased, who was a bachelor, had not been in very good health for several years and last fall his condition became such that by reason of living alone, it was deemed advisable that he take up his residence at the county home where he could be given the proper attention. After going to the home his health failed rapidly until the end came last Thursday.
Wim. Voight was born at Hoboken, N. J. where he grew to young manhood. On reaching the age of maturity his lust for adventure lured him on a westward pilgrimage and he joined several frontier scouting expeditions in the sparsely settled western country where he spent several years. After many harrowing experiences in the west which he always enjoyed relating, he drifted back to Iowa and located at Le Porte where he spent several years and then came to Ireton where he had since resided. He was always industrious and his first few years here he spent as a farm laborer and later engaged in the business of digging wells and cisterns in which he became expert. During the last few years of his residence here when his health failed him, he built up a business in selling newspapers. He was respected by a large number of friends because of his honesty ad honorable characteristics. He had passed his 70th years of life, but his exact age is not known and the only known relative is a sister who lives in New Jersey. "Buffalo Bill" will be missed in this community and his passing is deeply regretted by those who knew him.

Picture from the Ireton Centennial book page 345

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