JOSEPH VOGELBERGER is
distinguished not only as a native born citizen of Youngstown, but for
the important part he has played in the upbuilding of the city as a
contractor and builder. A son of John Vogelberger,
he was born Sept. 25, 1870, on the hill overlooking Lanterman's Falls,
one of the most picturesque points in the city.
John Vogelberger was born in Germany, and as a
boy of eight years came with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Peter
Vogelberger, to Youngstown, Ohio, where both his father and
mother spent their remaining days, both living to the venerable age of
ninety four years. Following in the footsteps of their father,
John and his brother began working as miners, and
later did the excavating and stone work at Lanterman's mill.
Turning his attention to agricultural pursuits, John
subsequently bought land on the bluff overlooking Lanterman's Falls,
and by dint of hard labor cleared and improved a farm. He made a
specialty of raising poultry and garden truck for the miners and
employes of the iron and steel mills, the selling price of any chicken
on the place having been 25 cents, while turkeys, regardless of
weight, sold for $1.00 apiece. He was also somewhat of a
carpenter, and helped build St. Columba's Church. He attained a
good old age, his death, on Aug. 25, 1911, at the age of four score
and three years, having been the result of an accident. His
wife, whose maiden name was Eva Gerst, died Jun. 22,
1898, when but fifty-three years old. They became the parents of
eight children two of whom Mary and Annie,
died in childhood, and the following named are now living:
Philip P., master mechanic for the Sharp
Lumber Company; John, a city employe; Joseph,
the subject of this brief sketch; Frank, of
Youngstown, a contractor; and Kate, wife of
Joseph Schmidt, proprietor of a cigar and tobacco store on
Market Street, this city. Both parents are members of St.
Joseph's Roman Catholic Church.
Educated
in Youngstown, Joseph Vogelberger attended first the
Fosterville school, and later concluded his studies at St. Joseph's
parochial school. At the age of fifteen years he was working in
a meat market on Federal Street, and three years later began work as a
farmer and carpenter. Becoming skilful in the use of tools, he
was employed for fourteen years as carpenter and foreman in the mill
owned by the Heller Brothers, gaining while there
experience that has since been of great value to him.
Subsequently, in partnership with his brothers, Frank
and Gallas, he became prominent in the building
activities of the city, erecting not only large business buildings and
warehouses, but many fine residences, among others of note having been
the Brown, W. B. Arms, Porter Pollock, A. E.
Adams, Brant Miller and the W. J. Patterson
residences. Eight years ago, notwithstanding that he was a
stanch democrat, Mr. Vogelberger was appointed, by a
republican mayor, superintendent of streets, and continued until
March, 1920, when he retired and has since been engaged in the
contracting and building business.
On Jan.
23, 1898, Mr. Vogelberger married Crescentia,
daughter of Wendel Scheirman, of Youngstown, and of
the three children born into their home two, Mary and
Leroy are living, while Alma died
when but nine yeas old. The family are members of St. Joseph's
Catholic Church.
Source #2 - History of
Youngstown & The Mahoning Valley, Ohio -
By Jos. G. Butler, Jr. - Vol. 2 -
Publ. American Historical Society - Chicago & New York 1921 ~ Page
372 |
