Emil Vogt
One of the remarkable features of American life is the rapidity with which young men advance and the responsible positions they attain in the business and professional worlds. Emil Vogt, whose name stands at the head of this sketch, is an illustration of what a young man may accomplish who makes a fair start and possesses the judgment and ability to continue to move forward. Although only thirty-three years of age, he is the owner of a beautiful farm in Crawford county of two hundred and forty acres, and each year witnesses a handsome increase in his available capital.
He was born in Illinois, July 11, 1878, a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Jocks) Vogt, both natives of Germany. They came to America in 1874 and Mr. Vogt worked for several years in Illinois, then removing to Crawford county, Iowa. where he purchased eighty acres of land. After developing his place he traded it for three hundred and twenty acres which he made the family homestead. He acquired six hundred and twenty acres in this county, all of which he brought to a high state of cultivation. Since 1902 he has lived retired at Denison. There were ten children in his family, namely: William and John, both of Crawford county; Emil, the subject of this review; Annie, now the wife of John Hildebrandt, of Crawford county; Alvina, the wife of William Hildebrandt; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Fred Fredrick, of Hanover township; Henry, of Crawford county; Emma, at home; and Alvina, the first of that name, and Ella, both of whom are deceased.
Emil Vogt was reared upon the home farm and as a boy became thoroughly acquainted with the duties and responsibilities pertaining to farm life. He attended the district schools and after laying his books aside continued to assist his father until twenty-three years of age. He then rented land belonging to his father for seven years, and having acquired sufficient capital he purchased two hundred and forty acres on sections 34 and 27, Hanover township, upon which he now lives. He has made many improvements and has gathered about him all the conveniences and appliances most to be desired by the enterprising agriculturist. He raises cereals upon an extensive scale and also pays special attention to red polled cattle, of which he is a great fancier. He is a large cattle and hog feeder, making use of his entire crops in this way, and is recognized as one of the most thorough farmers in this section.
On the 12th of June, 1901, Mr. Vogt was united in marriage to Miss Helena Fredricksen, who was born in Illinois, April 17, 1881, a daughter of Fred and Christina (Steffen) Fredricksen, both of whom were born in Germany. Her parents came to America when young and were married in Illinois, where Mr. Fredricksen engaged for a number of years in farming. Subsequently he came to Iowa and is now the owner of three hundred and sixty acres of land in Hanover township. He retired from active labor in 1905, and he and his wife are making their home in Denison. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Fredricksen, one of whom died in infancy. The others are: Charles, of Crawford county; Helena, now Mrs. Emil Vogt; Fred, Henry and Gill, all of Crawford county; and Mary, at home.
Three children came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Vogt, namely: Elizabeth C. A., who was born July 12, 1902; Minnie H., born June 25, 1904; and Edna M., born April 8, 1906.
Mr. Vogt has won his way mainly through his own exertions. He possessed the advantages of a good practical training under his father, which has been of inestimable value to him. He was also endowed with a natural talent for agricultural pursuits, and his work is to him a genuine pleasure, yielding at the same time a gratifying financial reward. He is justly regarded with respect by all with whom he comes into contact. Religiously, he is a stanch believer in the Bible, and he and has family are members of the German Lutheran church.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.