Lewis A. Vogler, leading farmer and corn grower of Hawcreek Township for years, and prominently known throughout the state for his activities in civic, political and agricultural affairs of the county, passed away Monday evening at 5:20 o’clock at his home [June 4, 1928] on South Main Street.
Had Mr. Vogler lived until next July 28, he would have celebrated his 89th birthday anniversary. Throughout his life, Mr. Vogler had enjoyed exceptionally good health but during the past few years he had declined due to his advanced age. However, he never fully retired, but each day made a trip to and from his farm, superintending the work there. Last winter his condition became worse and he was forced to give up his work for a time, but resumed it again in the spring. Three weeks ago Tuesday he was stricken with paralysis at his home and since that time he had gradually grown weaker and for the past few days death had been expected momentarily.
Mr. Vogler spent his entire life as a resident of Bartholomew County and he counted his friends by the hundreds. He was born on a farm two miles northeast of Hope, which he owned at the time of his death, and lived there during his early life. He was the son of William and Lucy (Essex) Vogler, pioneers who came here from North Carolina and cleared the land known as the Vogler farms. They were the parents of six children of whom Lewis was the last survivor, and all of whom lived near the original homestead.
Receiving a meager education in the common schools of the county, Mr. Vogler, by hard work and hard study, trained himself for teaching and at the age of 19 took over a school in Hawcreek Township now known as the Central School. For about eight years he followed that occupation , making a success of his work and especially making friends with his pupils and young people, which characteristic he possessed until his death. Although he was busy with his teaching, oftentimes remaining after hours to assist a pupil in an especially difficult problem or lesson, he also engaged in farming.
When about 28 years old, he gave up teaching and began farming on a larger scale, his ambition being to make agriculture his life’s work. He worked hard, tilling the soil and each year endeavored to advance in his work by making experiments and observations, many of which later proved invaluable to farmers. One of his earlier ambitions was to perfect a seed corn and he began experimenting along that line about 40 years ago. Each year he made improvements in his method of corn growing and a few years ago he and his son, L. Marshall Vogler, who when he grew up became actively associated with his father in farming, placed on the market a variety of corn known as Vogler’s White Dent, which he met with unusual success. Mr. Vogler was prominent in all agricultural projects of the country and took an active part in sponsoring and promoting corn shows and exhibits. Through many years of hard work, the Voglers cultivated corn which took many prizes at corn shows. The son a few years ago was crowned as international corn king having won the title by a display of Vogler’s White Dent corn. The younger Mr. Vogler at that time gave all credit to his father for his success.
Not only did the elder Mr. Vogler take an active interest in such events but he also was active in promoting civic and community movements. He was prominently associated with the county fair association for a number of years and he and his wife, before her death, had the distinction of having attended the Indiana State fairs and race meet consecutively for 50 years. Mr. Vogler, it is said, had never missed attending the fairs and he was looking forward to the coming fair at which he expected to have a number of corn displays.
Mr. Vogler was an active member of the Hope Moravian Church, with which he affiliated 75 years ago, and he was regular in attendance. He was a member of various Masonic orders, including the Knights Templar, and St. John’s Lodge No. 20, F. & A.M. Throughout his life Mr. Vogler was a democrat and took an active part in political movements. He served as treasurer of the county from 1878 to 1880 and gained a reputation for conducting the office efficiently. He made many friends and acquaintances during that time, which he retained throughout his life.
When he was 23 years old, Mr. Vogler married Miss Roseltha Lee of Hope, and they were an unusually happy couple, being devoted to each other and to their home and children. Mrs. Vogler passed away three years ago and her death was a severe shock to the husband as well as to the other members of the family. Surviving are four daughters, Miss Lucy Vogler at home, Mrs. E. E. Miller of Portland, Oregon, Mrs. L. M. Homsher of Franklin, Mrs. W. F. Kennedy of Liberty, Indiana, and two sons, Will Vogler of Indianapolis and L. Marshall Vogler of near Hope.
Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at 3 o’clock at the Moravian Church, following short services at the home. The Rev. F. G. Fulmer, pastor of the church, and the Rev. E. Barrett, pastor of the Hope Methodist Church, were in charge. Burial was made in the Moravian Cemetery in charge of Carl W. Norman, funeral director.
Contributed by: Shelli Steedman
