Large Group Photo - Vokt Family

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ANOTHER COPY OF THIS PHOTO IS FOUND BELOW WITH RED NUMBERS ADDED TO CLEARLY LABEL KNOWN INDIVIDUALS.

Above, a large group photo that includes members of the Vokt Family. "1900" in written in pencil in the lower right hand corner, and that is believed to be approximately when the photo was taken. Four names are handwritten in pencil on the back, and additional family members have been identified, but the majority of individuals shown in the photo are currently unknown. They may be an extended family group, or a large group of St. John's Lutheran Church members (where the Vokt Family attended). The photo is stamped Otis Studio, Adair, Iowa.

Standing at the far right is Michael Vokt, and to Mike's left is John Vokt. John is balding and just slightly shorter than Mike. Mike Vokt was John's older brother.

The 3 right-most women in the photo are John's wife, Catherina (Guttenfelder) Vokt and their 2 eldest daughters. Catherina (Guttenfelder) Vokt is wearing a dark necklace/ribbon, and Christena Vokt Scheeler is standing in front of Catherina and slightly to the right as you look at the photo. Julia Vokt Ernst is standing in front of Catherina and slightly to the left. Emma Vokt Hocamp and Mary Vokt Fett are to the left of Julia. The girl next to Julia with the bow tie is unknown, but Mary is just left and slightly in front of her, and Emma is next to the left, just behind Mary and slightly taller than Mary.

In front of Julia is a little girl, identified by a handwritten notation on the back as Mary Reimers. Mary's mother was the daughter of Michael and Sophia Vokt. Mary was born in 1892 and eventually married Henry Wedemeyer.

George Vokt, son of John and Catherina, would have been about 6 years old in 1900 and may also be in the photo, but hasn't yet been identified.

John and Catherine (Guttenfelder) Vokt's farm was in Audubon Twp., Sections 22 & 23. Michael Vokt is listed in the 1892 Farmer's Directory entries for Exira. Michael farmed the Stonebreaker land adjacent to John Vokt's, and several other places, but apparently did not own land. Michael's wife Sophia died in 1897. Both families attended St. John's Lutheran Church northwest of Adair/southeast of Exira.

Do you recognize anyone else in the photo? If you can help with identification please contact the Audubon County Coordinator.

Contributed by Cheryl Siebrass, April 2020.