Vogel Met Life with His Rocker

I confess that the title for this post is a real stretch. Today’s birthday girl is Ida Steiner. In German, the word stein means stone or rock. So, one could say that the surname, Steiner, could mean “rocker”. I will begin by looking at her early life.

Ida Marie Luise Steiner was born on October 22, 1887, so today would have been her 134th birthday. Ida was the daughter of Matthias and Auguste (Mirly) Steiner. She was baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Wells. Her baptism record is shown here. Her name is given as Marie Luise, but she went by Ida throughout her life.

Ida Steiner baptism record – Immanuel, New Wells, MO

When Ida is found in her first census in 1900, that entry first has her age as 12, but it is crossed out and replaced with an 11. Her birthday is given as October, 1888, not 1887, so that may explain the change. However, 12 would be the correct age. Her father was a farmer. Her younger brother, Otto, was the subject in a post written last month titled, Otto and Gustie – The Steiners.

Next, we find Ida in the 1910 census. At the age of 22, she was still living with her parents.

Now, we will turn our attention to her groom. His name was Alfred Martin Vogel, who was born on May 28, 1889. His parents were Theodore and Emilie (Happel) Vogel. That makes him the older brother of Oscar Vogel, whose story was told recently in the post, Oscar Vogel Goes to Washington. Alfred, like his bride, was baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Wells. We can take a look at an image of his baptism record from that congregation’s books.

Alfred Vogel baptism record – Immanuel, New Wells, MO

Alfred is found in the 1900 census at the age of 11. His father was a blacksmith.

Next, Alfred is found in the 1910 census. This time, both Alfred, at age 20, and his father are called blacksmiths.

That leads us up to the marriage of Alfred Vogel and Ida Steiner which took place on December 26, 1914. That means it was another one of those marriages that took place as soon as the Advent season came to an end. Despite both Alfred and Ida being baptized at Immanuel, New Wells, both of them were later confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Pocahontas, which was established in the 1890’s. So, it makes sense that this couple was married at Zion. The church record for this event is displayed below. You might notice that both Otto Steiner and Oscar Vogel were witnesses for this wedding.

Vogel/Steiner marriage record – Zion, Pocahontas, MO

We can also view this couple’s marriage license.

Our German Family Tree indicates that this couple had 4 children, and all of them were baptized at Zion, Pocahontas. Alfred had his World War I draft registration completed in 1917. This form says Alfred was a general merchant. His brother, Otto’s, World War I draft registration mentioned he was working for the Vogel Store in Pocahontas. Likely, that is also where Alfred was working when this document was created. There is no evidence that Alfred went off to serve during that war.

When the 1920 census was taken, we find this Vogel family still living in the Shawnee Township where Alfred continues to be called a merchant. At that time, there were 3 children in the family.

Before the 1930 census, the Vogel’s moved to Cape Girardeau. That census entry says that Alfred was in the life insurance business. All 4 children, 3 boys and a girl, were now listed in this household.

The last census we can view is the one taken in 1940. He was the manager of a life insurance company.

Alfred Vogel had his World War I draft card completed in 1942. This document tells us more specifically that Alfred was working for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company…most often called Met Life these days.

I am able to show you these photos of Alfred and Ida which must have been taken during their time in Cape Girardeau. They are not the best quality.

A 1949 Cape Girardeau city directory list several people with the surname, Vogel, with Alfred right at the top. It, too, says Alfred was an agent for Met Life.

Vogel names – 1949 Cape Girardeau city directory

It turns out that 1949 was also the year that Alfred Vogel died at the age of 60. His death certificate is shown here.

Ida Vogel died in 1979 at the age of 91, too recently to view her death certificate. Alfred and Ida were each buried in the Cape County Memorial Park in Cape Girardeau.