Wilhelm Vogt was the prototype of a respected and true
gymnast of the pre-1848 people of Germany. He was a bold, accomplished gymnast,
and an equally fearsome wrestler and fencer, a friendly, cheerful companion, a
faithful friend, a zealous reveler, and a man enthusiastic about his fatherland.
Born in Hanau on 11 July 11, 1823, he received his education
under the competent gymnast August Schärtner, which at that time was one of the
best of the gymnastics clubs. After he had completed his training, his wanderlust
attracted him to beautiful Swabia, where he worked in various cities, but
mostly in Pforzheim. His reputation as one of the most capable gymnasts spread
throughout southern Germany, and he always won one of the first prizes at the
gymnastics in Heilbronn, Mainz, Offenbach and so forth.
Many a bold venture was linked to his name, and his intrepidity on the
equipment knew no bounds. It was said that at a Turnfest in Hanau, after he had
climbed up the high climbing mast, he accomplished a handstand on the cross at
the top of the mast in a perfect position, with his arms outstretched, his legs
slipping quickly around the mast, darting quickly, to the horror of the
spectators; a firm grip brought him a firm grip to a sudden stop a foot above
the floor. Of course, those who witnessed his other daredevil gymnastic feats
did not fail to spread the word of his accomplishments.
In 1846 he moved to Frankfurt am Main, where he earned the name
"the Butterfly" in the Gymnastics Club, because of his gymnastic
shills.. His beautiful tenor’s vocals, as well as other social qualities, made
him the center of numerous circles. In Frankfurt, the Hessen-Darmstadt
government offered him the position of gymnastics teacher in Darmstadt, which
he declined because he, as he said, did not want to neglect his business, which
had to support him in his old age.
Even
before 1848, he became suspicious to and watched by the police because of his
agitation for the freedom movements, and especially through the distribution of
radically liberal papers and pamphlets. In Frankfurt it was also where he was
introduced by Schärtner to the old Jahn with the words: “Jahn, that is also one
of mine,” and Jahn replied: “If he is one of yours, he is also one of mine.”
As
early as the spring of 1848, Vogt could no longer remain in Frankfurt, and because
a wealthy Frankfort citizen wanted to send his son to America to buy land, he
suggested to him that he go to America as an associate and a consultant. He
accepted and the two of them went on the journey, with plenty of money. On the
evening of the 25th of May 1848, shortly before departure, a festival was held
in honor of Vogt by Hanau’s Turner group, which was also attended by [Turnvater] Jahn. In the circle of the
gymnasts he wrote the following leaflet for Vogt: (Leaflet omitted)
Vogt
and his comrade landed in New York. There they were told to go to the "new
city of Chicago,” to which the two comrades proceeded. Arriving in Chicago,
however, the many "waterholes," as Vogt later put it, did not please
us, and, because Vogt's companion was homesick, they parted company. Vogt
traveled to Louisville and his comrade returned to Germany. In Louisville, Vogt
founded a small business, and at the same time, with a few young Germans who had
settled there, a Turnverein, which,
however, was short-lived. The right material was not found until 1850. He
belonged to the Louisville gymnastics community during his lifetime, and by advice
or example, promoted all physical and spiritual endeavors. Mention has already
been made of the fact that he received the first prize at the Cincinnati Turnfeste, a magnificent, silver-studded
drinking horn. This, along with Jahn's leaflet, is still honored by his family
as a treasured souvenir. During the Civil War he was a Sutler of 6th Kentucky
Inf. for a time. He sold his jewelry business later, and joined the
"Phoenix Brewery" as a participant. However this was a terrible step
for him; his otherwise strong body began to deteriorate, and with all the signs
of an imminent serious illness, he disposed of his share of the brewery and
bought a farm near Louisville. But the country's life did not improve
his health, He died on September 16, 1871, generally respected and revered by a
large circle of warm friends, a true gymnast and a strong fighter for
intellectual freedom and enlightenment.
William was survived by his wife and three children.
Source:
Jahrbücher der deutsche-amerik: Turnerei,
Voluee 1–3. Ed. Henry Christian Anton Metzner. New York: 1892. Pp. 181–83.Translated by Joseph R. Reinhart