Chris Christian Vogler

submitted by Mark Vogler
Sr. Polar Expedition Guide, Travel Writer, Photographer, Explorer
707-591-1800 markjvogler@gmail.com

Chris Christian Vogler immigrated to the US from Germany in 1854 and arrived in Kansas in 1857.

Atchison City Directory 1859-60

His first business was in partnership with the well know Charles Koester in 1857-59. (Charles Koester and family went on to become VERY successful after relocating to Marysville.)

1859 Dissolution of Business Notice between Chris Vogler and Charles Koester. There was a Lien/Mortgage between Chris Vogler and Charles Koester’s mother, Luodwine, who appears to have funded Charles, who was still a teenager when he was in business with Chris. Vogler/Koester Grant 1859

He filed his intent to naturalize, in Atchison County in 1859.

1860 Atchison Census

August 17, 1861 - a very interesting and harrowing story of Chris, during the Bleeding Kansas years, making his way up the Mississippi from New Orleans as a Union supporter, reported in the Atchison's Freedom’s Champion Newspaper.

or PDF

Transcription of the above article: Escaped from New Orleans.

MR. CHRIS. VOGLER, who is well known to all the citizens of Atchison, and who left this city for the South some months ago, arrived on Wednesday night last, having succeeded in making his way up the Mississippi from New Orleans. He gives an interesting account of the state of affairs there, and his simple narrative of the treatment of Union men in that section is enough to bring tears to the eyes of the most indifferent, and awaken the deep indignation of every true patriot.

Chris. is a German, and has been engaged for and ordinary length of time in a hotel in the Crescent City, but the excitement running so strong against the Germans, Irish, and other foreigners, all of whom he says are loyal to the Union, that he found it impossible to remain. He became linked with standard union men, and worked his way up in the capacity of a cabin boy. He succeeded in making observation and getting clues on where to the safe places, and worked his way up to Cairo.

At Columbus he saw a man taken out and whipped on his bare back until he was covered with blood and left for dead, for expressing Union sentiments. He saw another man at Columbus, who was struck over the head with clubs, and loaded with chains, for loyalty to the flag of their country. The first of these he learned, afterwards died from the effects of their brutal treatment, and the other one given no hour to leave town.

The reign of terror in the South he describes as fearful, but he believes that fully one third of the population is loyal to the Union. The secessionists however, intimidate them by threats, and if they dare express their opinions, treat them with brutal cruelty. He says the standard of Union feeling is rising rapidly in the West, and will last until the last vestige of treason is wiped away.

One month later, Chris volunteered for the Union Army in Sept. 1861, and was attached to the Kansas 8th Infantry, Company C.

 Chris was injured at Fort Riley in August 1892 and discharged due to disability.

He returned to Atchison and built the successful City Restaurant, a Bakery/confectionary, ice house, and built a large factory building/commercial bakery and owned real estate in Atchison.

He married Margaret J Laney in 1865.

First child, Joseph, born 1866.

When the new train extension was announced at Downs in 1878 he, again jumped on opportunity and relocated his business operations there. Again, running a restaurant/bakery, built another factory with intent to open a cracker factory in 1888.

1880 Downs Census

He was well known and his store appears to have been the center of the community, as reported a special local elections was held there.
He was the first person interviewed by the new Downs Chief newspaper in 1887. However, due to health issues the factory never opened, and eventually sold.

In 1889, using his new Civil War Pension, moved to the new “Old Soldier's Home” in Leavenworth, where he spent the remainder of his days. He passed away April 25th 1893 and is buried in the military cemetery in Leavenworth.  Death record  #2

These are the highlights, and my research is ongoing. I do believe Chris Christian Vogler is an unsung, pioneer of Kansas and especially the early days of Atchison and then Downs.

---