Among the coal operators of central Illinois few are better known
than Henry Voge, who is now living retired at Staunton, being blessed
with a competency that gives assurance of an income for the remainder of
his life. He has been remarkably energetic and courageous in seeking for
treasures below the surface of the earth and has been instrumental in
opening some of the most valuable coal bodies in this part of the state.
He was born in Brunswick, Germany, March 21, 1837, a son of Frederick
and Christina (Oppermann) Voge, both of whom spent their entire lives in
the old country. The father was a shepherd and for thirty-two years
consecutively had charge of the flocks of one of the large estates. He
died in 1871, the mother having passed away in 1870. There were six
children in their family, the subject of this review being the youngest.
The others are all deceased and their names were Frederick, Hannah,
Lemina, Alma and Carolina.
Henry Voge received his education in
the public schools and grew to maturity in the paternal home. Believing
that conditions were more favorable in the new world, he came to America
in 1856 and took up his residence at Belleville, St. Clair county,
Illinois, where he worked as a laborer and also at the stone mason’s
trade. In 1856 he went into the mines at Belleville and soon acquired
thorough, practical knowledge of the business. He continued at
Belleville until 1869, when he removed to Staunton and entered into
partnership with William Panhorst in sinking the second shaft at this
place. They did not strike the best coal vein until January, 1870, and
seven years later Mr. Voge purchased the interest of his partner in the
business, continuing upon his own account. In the same year he sank No.
5 shaft but sold this property in 1880, and sank No. 6 shaft and shaft
No. 1 at Gillespie, disposing of both of them in 1882. He then leased
the mill at Staunton, which he operated for a year at the end of which
time he went to Wamego, Kansas, and erected a mill and grain elevator,
continuing there until his property was destroyed by fire in 1896.
Returning to Staunton, he opened No. 1 mine, which he sold in 1898, and
in the same year sank a shaft at Edwardsville. He was not so successful
at this place as in some others and lost about eighty thousand dollars
during twelve years’ experience at Edwardsville. He is still assured,
however, of an ample revenue, having invested to good advantage during
the years of his prosperity. He is the owner of a beautiful home in
Staunton and also is extensively interested in coal deposits of this
section.
In 1858 Mr. Voge was married to Miss Caroline Timptner,
and to this union six children were born, five of whom died in infancy,
Minnie being the only survivor. She is the wife of August Seevers, of
Staunton. The mother of these children died in 1878, and Mr. Voge was
married June 29, 1879, to Miss Christine J. Fritz. By this union six
children were born, two of whom died in infancy. Those who grew to
maturity are: Henrietta, who is now the wife of F. H. Bruhn, pastor of
the Lutheran church at Bay City, Michigan; Carl, who lives in St. Louis,
Missouri; Christine, the wife of Alfred Lang, of Philadelphia; and
Herman, who is at home.
Religiously Mr. Voge and his family are
identified with the Lutheran church. He cast his first ballot for
Abraham Lincoln as president of the United States and has ever since
been an earnest supporter of the republican party. He has never sought
public office but served to the general satisfaction of taxpayers as
member of the city council for seven years. He has witnessed various
fluctuations of his fortune but has never lost faith in himself, and in
an overruling providence in the affairs of the world. Beginning as a
poor boy, he found home and friends in a new country, and he is clearly
entitled to the respect in which he is held by his business associates
and acquaintances, to whom he has long been known in Macoupin county.
Extracted 14 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 305-306.
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