Arthur "Art" Franklin Vogel

Arthur F. Vogel

Arthur F. Vogel, publisher of the Lusk Free Lance since April, 1930 passed quietly away at 2:35 this (Thursday) morning in the Memorial Hospital of Laramie County, Cheyenne, Wyoming where he had been confined since January 29th. Mr. Vogel had undergone an emergency operation Wednesday, February 1st, and progressed well for a period of two weeks when he suffered a setback and gradual decline until his passing. Death was due to cancer.

The remains were placed in charge of the Weiderspahn Chapel of the Chimes Funeral Home in Cheyenne and will be conveyed overland to Lusk tomorrow (Friday). Services will be conducted from the chapel of the Peet Mortuary at 2:00 o'clock Sunday afternoon, March 25th. Rev. Jacob Nein, pastor of the First Congregational church, will officiate. Interment will be in the Lusk cemetery.

Arthur Franklin Vogel was born January 5th, 1895 in Springfield, Illinois a son of Charles Frederick and Sarah Hannah (Doenges) Vogel, being one of a family of nine children, and departed this life Thursday, March 22nd, 1956 at Cheyenne, Wyoming, having attained the age of 61 years, two months and 17 days.

Like many of his contemporaries in the newspaper field, he started his career by learning the printers' trade at the case. His early experiences varied through several states but his advancement was steady and consecutive and he was recognized as one of the able publishers of Wyoming, and was outstanding as a journalist and printer.

His early years were spent in Springfield, Illinois and at the youthful age of 15 years, he entered the printer's trade in the Illinois State Journal of Springfield, Ill., one of the oldest newspapers published in that state. He continued with this publication until June 15, 1918, when he enlisted in the U.S. Army in World War I. He was assigned to the Motor Corps and was sent to a training camp in Kansas City, Missouri, and was later assigned to the Field Artillery at Camp Taylor, Kentucky. He held the rating of sergeant at the time of his discharge from service, January 19, 1919.

He then returned to his work with the Illinois State Journal and continued with that paper until April of the same year, when with a boyhood friend, he started on a journey toward the west. After following his trade in Ilinois, Des Moine, Iowa, Omaha, Nebraska and Denver, Colo., he eventually arrived in Wyoming and for a short time was identified with the Cheyenne Leader.

In August, 1919, he came to Lusk, Wyo., and became a printer for the Lusk Herald continuing until 1920, after which he was connected with the Casper Herald and later with the Casper Tribune.

Returning to Lusk in August, 1920, he took charge of the Lusk Herald and was active manager until March, 1926, when he became a stockholder in the Lusk Herald company, continuing as such until April, 1930, when he bought the interest of the late J. E. Mayes, pioneer publisher of The Lusk Free Lance which had been established in 1920 as the Van Tassell Booster. Since that time he had been the owner and publisher of the Free Lance.

The political policy of The Free Lance since 1930 has been Democratic, and through Mr. Vogel's efforts and writings over the years, he contributed much to the success of the Democratic party in the state. He was also interested in civic matters and had thru the years worked tirelessly for various improvements in Lusk and Niobrara County. His philosophy of life, and willingness to help others has acquired for him a large circle of friends.

He was a member of the First Congregational Church of Lusk, a charter member of Lusk Lodge NO. 1797, B.P.O. Elks, a member and past adjutant of Wieten-Dupes Post No. 4, American Legion; and was a past noble grand of Custer Lodge No. 21, I.O.O.F., of Lusk.

Mr. Vogel was twice married, the first being to Bonnita Eunice Reed, on June 12, 1921. She died in 1936. They were the parents of two daughters, Bonita Yvonne and Gloria Faye.

On December 31, 1943, he married Ada Marie DeGroot at Douglas. They became the parents of a son, Charles Arthur, and a daughter, Linda Marie. The family lived in this city, and Mrs. Vogel and Gloria have assisted with the publishing of The Free Lance.

Survivors include his wife, Ada; three daughters, Mrs. Wm. C. Silvers of San Diego, Calif., Miss Gloria Vogel and Miss Linda Vogel, 8, of Lusk; one son, Charles Arthur Vogel, 10, also of Lusk; a son-in-law, William C. Silvers; three granddaughters, Cheryl Lyyn, Bonnita Christine and Sandra Kay Silvers, all of San Diego; three sisters, Mrs. Luke Vortmann, Havana, Ill.; Mrs. M. J. McGlennon, St. Petersburg, Fla.; Mrs. Alfred N. Drone, Springfield, Ill.; three brothers, William N. Vogel, Carl F. Vogel, and Roy E. Vogel, all of Springfield, and a number of nieces and nesphews. His parents, one sister, Daisy M. Vogel, and one brother, Freddie, previously died.

Here for the services were Mrs. Silvers, Mr. and Mrs. Vortman, Carl Vogel, Val DeGroot of Tulsa, Okla., Mr. and Mrs. John DeGroot, Rhonda and David of Aurora, Colo.; Mr. and Mrs. Jack from Cheyenne; and Mrs. Joe Manning of Lancaster, Calif. Val and John DeGroot are brothers of Mrs. Vogel.

Lusk Free Lance
March 29, 1956
Final services for Arthur F. Vogel, Publisher of Lusk Free Lance, Are Held Sunday; Interment in Lusk Cemetery

Friends of the late Arthur F. Vogel, publisher of the Lusk Free Lance filled the chapel of the Peet Funeral Home to its capacity Sunday afternoon, when final rites were conducted at two o'clock with Rev. Jacob Nein, pastor of the First Congregational Church of Lusk, officiating.

During the services, Frank Kuhn sang "The Lord's Prayer" as a solo, and a male quartet composed of Don Unruh, Al Davenport, Harry Lyon and Frank Kuhn, sang "Crossing The Bar." The closing selection was a solo, "When Day is Done" By Mrs. James Ringer, Jr. Accompanying at the organ was Mr. J. P. Watson.

The remains were laid to rest in the family plot in the Lusk Cemetery with members of Lusk Lodge No. 1797 B.P.O. Elks, who attended the rites in a body held graveside services. John Christian, exalted Ruler, presided and was assisted by Roger Percival, leading knight, Ray Olafson loyal knight, Wayne Tollman, lecturing knight and Tim R. Haley, chaplain.

The Elks service was followed with military rites accorded the deceased by members of Weiten-Dupes Post No. 4, American Legion, who had also attended the services in a group and members of the Lusk Unit of the National Guard. Legion Commander Warren H. Schroefel and "Chuck" Vaughan folded and presented the American flag to Mrs. Vogel. The honor salute was given by the Lusk National Guard commanded by apt. Johnnie Thon. Lloyd Rogers sounded taps.

Casket bearers were William "Scotty" Jack of Cheyenne, Virgil Quinn, Vic Senters, Venus Kilmer, James D. Hoblit, Glen Cates, W. W. "Buck" Culver, all of Lusk and Ted R. Chambers of Linch, Wyo.

Honorary bearers were Jerry Turner, of LaMesa, Calif.; Joe Kuhn, Phoenix, Ariz.; Hugo Payne, Costa Mesa, Calif.; George Gibson, Roscoe Kilmer, J. P. Watson, Homer Osborne, Lee Johnsonbaugh, Jack Stipe, Al Davenport, C. E. Marvin, Thomas O. Miller, A. B. Mills, Frank Scott, Bryan Burge, Glen Willson, John Sturman and Lloyd Schaefer, all of Lusk.

Arthur F. Vogel had undergone an emergency operation on February 1st in the Memorial Hospital in Cheyenne, Wyo., and passed away on Thursday, March 22nd, 1956, at the age of 61 years. He came to Wyoming from Springfield, Illinois in 1919. Since April 1930, he had owned and operated the Lusk Free Lance. He was a member of the First Congregational church of Lusk, a charter member of Lusk Lodge No, 1797, B.P.O. Elks, a past adjutant of Weiten-Dupes Post No. 4, American Legion and a past noble grand of Custer Lodge No. 21, I.O.O.F., of Lusk.

Out-of-town-relatives and friends attending last rites were Mrs. William C. Silvers of San Diego, Calif.; Mr. and Mrs. Luke Vortman of Havana, Ill.; Carl F. Vogel, Springfield, Ill., Mr. and Mrs. John DeGroot, Rhonda and David of Aurora, Colo.; Mrs. Joe Manning of Lancaster, Calif.; Val R. DeGroot of Tulas, Okla.; and Mr. and Mrs. Wm "Scotty" Jack of Cheyenne. All of the out-of-town relatives with the exception of Mrs. Silver and Mrs. Manning departed for their homes on Monday. Mrs. Silvers departed by bus today (Thursday) for Cheyenne, where she continued her trip home by plane. Mr. and Mrs. Jack left for Cheyenne late Sunday afternoon and Mrs. Manning is still visiting at the home of her mother, Mrs. C. E. DeGroot, and other relatives.

Note: Although this obituary states that the date of death was March 22, 1956, the International Genealogy Index has three entries that give the date of death for Aurthur Vogel as March 11, 1956.

The Lusk Herald
March 29, 1956
Arthur Vogel, Free Lance Publisher, Dies
Peet Mortuary was crowded to capacity, many standing, as people from a wide area paid final tribute to Arthur F. Vogel, 61, publisher of the Lusk Free Lance who had died in Cheyenne last Thursday morning.

Rev. Jacob Nein, pastor of First Congregational church conducted the service of the chapel. Music was provided by a quartet composed of Don Unruh, Harry Lyon, Al Davenport, and Frank Kuhn, which sang "Cross the Bar." Mrs. J.P. Watson was organist. Mr. Kuhn also sang the solo, "The Lord's Prayer", and Mrs. James Ringer, Jr. closed the service by singing "When Day Is Done".

Graveside rites were performed by B.P.O. Elks Lodge No. 1797 with John Christian, exalted ruler, presiding. Members of Wieten-Dupes Post No. 4 of the American Legion also attended in a body, and Commander Warren Schroefel and Charles Vaughan performed the final ceremony of presenting the flag to the family. The military honor salute was fired by members of the Lusk unit of the National Guard under the command of Capt. Johnny Thon, and Lloyd Rogers sounded taps. Burial was in the family plot at the Lusk Cemetery.

Active pallbearers were William "Scotty" Jack, Vic. Senters, Virgil Quinn, Venus Kilmer, James Hoblit, Glen Cates, Ted Chambers and W. W. Culver.

Honorary pallbearers included: Jerry Turner, Joe Kuhn, George Gibson, Hugo Payne, Roscoe Kilmer, J.P. Watson, Homer Osborne, Lee Johnsonbaugh, Al Davenport, Jack Stipe, Glen Willson, John Sturman, Bryan Burge, Frank Scott, A. B. Mills, Thomas O. Miller, C. E. Marvin, and Lloyd Schaefer.

Ill Since Feb. 1
Mr. Vogel's death was due to cancer. He had undergone an emergency operation at Memorial Hospital in Cheyenne February 1.

Arthur Franklin Vogel was born January 5, 1895 in Springfield, Ill., a son of Charles Frederick and Sarah Hannah (Doenges) Vogel, being one of a family of nine children.

Like many of his contemporaries in the newspaper field, he started his career by learning the printers' trade at the cases. His early experiences varied through several states but his advancement was steady and consecutive and he was recognized as one of the able publishers of Wyoming, and was outstanding as a journalist and printer.

His early years were spent in Springfield, and at the age of 15 he entered the printer's trade in the Illinois State Journal of Springfield, one of the oldest newspapers published in that state. He continued with this publication until June 15, 1918, when he enlisted in the U.S. Army in World War I. He was assigned to the Motor Corps and was sent to a training camp in Kansas City, Mo. and later assigned to the Field Artillery at Camp Taylor, Ky. He held the rating of sergeant at the time of his discharge from service, January 19, 1919.

He then returned to his work with the Illinois State Journal and continued with that paper until April of the same year, when with a boyhood friend, he started on a journey toward the west. After following his trade in Illinois, Des Moines, Omaha, and Denver, he eventually arrived in Wyoming and for a short time was identified with the Cheyenne Leader.

In August, 1919, he came to Lusk and became a printer for The Lusk Herald continuing until 1920, after which he was connected with the Casper Herald and later with the Casper Tribune.

Returning to Lusk in August, 1920, he took charge of The Lusk Herald and was active manager until March, 1926. He continued association with The Herald until April, 1930, when he bought the interest of the late J. E. Mayes, pioneer publisher of The Lusk Free Lance which had been established in 1920 as the Van Tassell Booster. Since that time he had been the owner and publisher of the Free Lance.

The political policy of The Free Lance since 1930 has been Democratic, and through Mr. Vogel's efforts and writings over the years, he contributed much to the success of the Democratic party in the state. He was also interested in civic matters and had thru the years worked tirelessly for various improvements in Lusk and Niobrara county. His philosophy of life, and willingness to help others has acquired for him a large circle of friends.

He as a member of the First Congregational Church of Lusk, a charter member of Lusk Lodge No. 1797, B.P.O. Elks, a member and past adjutant of Wieten-Dupes Post No. 4, American Legion; and was a past noble grand of Custer Lodge No. 21, I.O.O.F., of Lusk.

Mr. Vogel was twice married, the first being to Bonnita Eunice Reed, on June 12, 1921. She died in 1936. they were the parents of two daughers, Bonita Yvonne and Gloria Faye.

On December 31, 1943, he married Ada Marie DeGroot at Douglas. They became the parents of a son, Charles Arthur, and a daugher, Linda Marie. The family lived in this city, and Mrs. Vogel and Gloria have assisted with the publishing of The Free Lance.

Survivors include his wife, Ada; three daughters, Mrs. Wm. C. Silvers of San Diego, Calif., Miss Gloria Vogel and Miss Linda Vogel, 8, of Lusk; one son, Charles Arthur Vogel, 10, also of Lusk; a son-in-law, William C. Silvers; three granddaughters, Chery Lynn, Bonnita Christine and Sandra Kay Silvers, all of San Diego; three sisters, Mrs. Luke Vortmann, Havana, Ill.; Mrs. M. J. McGlennon, St. Petersburg, Fla.; Mrs. Alfred N. Drone, Springfield, Ill.; three brothers, William N. Vogel, Carl F. Vogel, and Roy E. Vogel, all of Springfield, and a number of nieces and nephews. His parents, one sister, Daisy M. Vogel, and one brother, Freddie, previously died.

Here for the services were Mrs. Silvers, Mr. and Mrs. Vortman, Carl Vogel, Val DeGroot of Tulsa, Okla., Mr. and Mrs. John DeGroot, Rhonda and David of Aurora, Colo; Mr. and Mrs. Jack from Cheyenne; and Mrs. Joe Manning of Lancaster, Calif. Val and John DeGroot are brothers of Mrs. Vogel.

Images & Attachments

Related/Linked Records