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Emil Vogelsang

Emil Vogelsang[1, 2, 3, 4]

Male 1834 - 1894  (59 years)

Personal Information    |    Media    |    Notes    |    Sources    |    Event Map    |    All    |    PDF

  • Name Emil Vogelsang 
    Born 7 May 1834  Baimen, Prussia, Baden, Germany Find all individuals with events at this location  [4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9] 
    Gender Male 
    Residence 1868  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [7] 
    Historic Building 1871  307 Queen Street South, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [10] 
    Canadian Ivory Button Factory or Canada Ivory Button Works 
    • Emil Vogelsang built his button factory named "Canadian Ivory Button Factory" in 1879. Condition in 1978 was listed as very good. There is a Dutch influence in the brickwork over the windows. In the 1990's the factory was converted to apartments with additional apartments built attached. This apartment conplex is now a co-op and is known as as "Bread and Roses".
    Canadian Ivory Works    		 Canadian Ivory Works
    Image is from a copy of a photo loaned to the Grace Schmidt Room at the Kitchener Public Library in 1985. Image P2725
    Canada Ivory Button Works    		 Canada Ivory Button Works
    advert 1878 Waterloo County Directory
    Occupation 1871  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [9] 
    Manufacturer 
    Residence 1871  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [9] 
    [Member of New Jersulem Religion] 
    Invention Apr 1879  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Cast Iron Skylight 
    Emil patented a cast iron skylight in 1870    		 Emil patented a cast iron skylight in 1870
    https://www.collectionscanada.ca/archivianet/patents/001038-119.01-e.php?&patent_id_nbr=10524&page_sequence_nbr=1&interval=20&page_id_nbr=31456&
    Occupation 1881  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [8] 
    Manufacturer 
    Residence 1881  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [8] 
    Swedenborgian 
    Elected Office 1882  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    councillor - Kitchener 
    • Years Served: 1887
    FindAGrave https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/10126166 
    Historic Building Kitchener Daily Record Newspaper, Kitchener, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Emil Vogelsangs home on North West Corner of Queen and Courtland 
    Kitchener-Queen-EmilVogelsang-001.jpg    		 Kitchener-Queen-EmilVogelsang-001.jpg
    Mr Vogelsang's home, NW Corner Queen St & Courtland Avenue. Built c. 1870-1963 demolition. Opposite Vogelsang Button Factory. WHS Vol. 51/1963.
    Interesting story, business, politics 
    Name Ernie Vogelsang  [11] 
    Occupation 1882  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [12] 
    button manufacturer 
    Occupation 1894  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [13] 
    button maker 
    Eby ID Number Waterloo-32115P 
    Died 6 May 1894  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [5, 6, 14] 
    Cause: paralysis (11 days) 
    Buried Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [5] 
    Person ID I32115  Generations
    Last Modified 7 Nov 2024 

    Father Friederich Vogelsang,   b. Abt 1804, Of, Barmen, , Germany Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown 
    Mother Wilhelmina,   b. Abt 1804, Of, Barmen, , Germany Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown 
    Family ID F28678  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 1 Margaret Cress,   b. 6 Jan 1843, , Germany Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 9 Apr 1927, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 84 years) 
    Children 
     1. Friedrick Oscar "Fred" Vogelsang,   b. 2 Nov 1873, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 22 Oct 1944, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 70 years)
     2. Heinrich Otto "Otto" Vogelsang,   b. 2 Nov 1873, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 3 Nov 1945, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 72 years)
     3. Edith Eda "Ida" Vogelsang,   b. 10 Jan 1876, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1 Nov 1960, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 84 years)
     4. Hugo Vogelsang,   b. 17 Aug 1878, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 22 Sep 1880, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 2 years)
     5. Heinrich Arthur Vogelsang,   b. 19 Jun 1880, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     6. Walter Eugene Vogelsang,   b. 11 Dec 1882, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 13 Jan 1887, Port Elgin, Saugeen Twp., Bruce Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 4 years)
     7. Mathilda Louise "Louise" Vogelsang,   b. 16 May 1885, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 23 Sep 1974, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 89 years)
    Last Modified 12 Nov 2024 
    Family ID F8389  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 2 Louisa Tuerk,   b. 19 May 1837, Rade, Prussia, Germany Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 15 Nov 1871, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 34 years) 
    Married 28 Jun 1868  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [7, 15] 
    Children 
     1. Philipp Vogelsang,   b. 1864, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     2. Emil Carl Vogelsang,   b. 9 Apr 1869, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     3. Liddy Vogelsang,   b. 1870, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     4. Frederick Albert "Fred" Vogelsang,   b. 7 Aug 1870, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 9 Nov 1934, Bremen Township, Cook Co., Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 64 years)
     5. Margaret Vogelsang,   b. 12 Jun 1871, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     6. Herman Emanuel Vogelsang,   b. 2 Nov 1871, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
    Last Modified 12 Nov 2024 
    Family ID F28676  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Photos
    Emil Vogelsang    		Emil Vogelsang
    from Waterlo Region Hall of Fame

  • Notes 
    • "In the late 1980's, a group of concerned individuals decided to do something about the fact that rental housing was becoming increasingly hard to afford. At the time, the Federal Government of Canada used to sponsor a co-op housing program through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

      The founding group approached CMHC and got the ball rolling. The group incorporated as Bread and Roses Co-operative Homes (Kitchener). Our name: Bread and Roses is symbolic of the fact that people need not just a home (Bread), but also a community to live in and belong to (the Roses). In addition, it is the title of a historically significant song from the labour movement.

      THE BUTTON FACTORY

      The original building began life as a button factory in 1879. Owned and operated by Emil Vogelsang. This historical site became available to Bread and Roses,
      negotiations were concluded and construction began. A new high-rise building was put up and the historical factory was converted into apartments.

      Finally, after a long and adventurous road, the first members moved into the project in June of 1990. Because the goal was not to make a profit, but rather to provide safe and secure housing to those who needed it, special efforts were made to accommodate those who are at a disadvantage in seeking comfortable housing. Just over half of the apartments were designated as rent-geared-to-income housing (RGI); and is funded by CMHC. We were also able to get 4 wheelchair-accessible units and reserve two RGI units for people living with HIV/AIDS. From the beginning, we have been a mixed-income community and have welcomed diversity in our membership.

      Since being founded, Bread and Roses has gone through many phases of community building and learning how to run its own affairs independently. Having lately gone through a series of building improvements, we are currently focusing on community growth and a culture of involvement where members are active in the day-to-day running and decision-making of the Co-op. Every new member is an additional asset to Bread and Roses. Each bringing with them new experiences and skills to contribute to our little community."

      https://www.breadandrosescoop.org

      _________________________________

      The Button Industry

      A young German named Emil Vogelsang came to Berlin in 1867 and chummed with Allan Huber, son of H. S. Huber. One day the merchant questioned the youth,

      "What can you do, Emil?"
      "I'm a button turner."
      "Then show us how you make buttons."
      "Before I could do that," said Emil, "I'd need a lathe and a batch of ivory-nuts."

      Mr. Huber had a lathe made in Waterloo and imported a shipment of nuts for Mr. Vogelsang. The latter leased a room and power from the Simpson Furniture Company and soon was manufacturing first-class buttons. He called his venture, "The Pioneer Button Works." The buttons found a ready sale in Eastern Canada and the United States. His was the first button factory in Canada, if not in America..

      Before long Mr. Vogelsang needed a factory of his own. He interested J. J. Woelfle in the enterprise and they awarded Jacob Y. Shantz a contract to erect a $20,000 building on the northeast corner of King and College Streets. Before it was up Mr. Woelfle withdrew. Mr. Shantz then purchased an interest in the button works for a sum equal to the price of the building and entered into a 7-year agreement with Mr. Vogelsang. When that term expired Mr. Vogelsang retired and built another button factory in South Queen Street, which he later sold to the W. G. & R. Shirt Company. (Now occupied by the Fehrenbach Mattress Co.)

      Mr. Shantz had not had any practical experience in the manufacture of buttons, yet did not wish to see the employees deprived of their livelihood. He therefore continued manufacturing and after costly experimenting, during which he was assisted by his son, M. B. Shantz, the factory was placed on a sound footing. Mr. Shantz's sons Dilman and John likewise joined him. Jacob Y. Shantz & Sons became the largest employers of labor in Berlin. For a time there were four button factories in the town and it was widely known as "Buttonville." Jacob Y. Shantz entered into partnership also with a Mr. Feick and made felt goods in the button-factory basement.

      A History of Kitchener, W. V. (Ben) Uttley, Kitchener, Ontario 1937 pg 169-171



      ____________________________________


      Emil came to Canada in 1866, aged 32. A year later he sent for Louisa. They were married by her brother, Rev. F.W. Tuerk, who was already here as the minister of the New Jerusalem Church (Swedenborg). Another of her brothers worked for Emil in the Vogelsang Button Factory and it is said that he embezzeled money and thus ruined the business. Emil opened a new Button Factory in Port Elgin, ON. He died at age 59 after he moved back to Berlin, ON, and the VOGELSANG burial plot is in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Kitchener.

  • Sources 
    1. [S7] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berliner Journal (1859-1917), 30 Sep 1880.
      Sept. 22, 1880 Hugo Vogelsang, son of Emil Vogelsang, died in Berlin at age of 2 years 1 month & 5 days

    2. [S7] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berliner Journal (1859-1917), 20 Jan 1887.
      13 Jan 1887 Walter Eugen Vogelsang, son of Emil Vogelsang, died in Port Elgin at age of 4 years, 1 month and 2 days.

    3. [S7] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berliner Journal (1859-1917), 16 Nov 1871.
      Louise Vogelsang died 15 Nov 1871 in Berlin, née Tuerk, wife of Emil, 34 yrs, 5 mths, 2 days.

    4. [S2403] News - Unidentified Newspaper Obituary, Obituary of Edith Vogelsant.

    5. [S166] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Mount Hope CC#4508 Internet Link .
      [Anchor & shield A.O.U.W.] Zum Andenken an / Emil Vogelsang / gest. 6 Mai 1894 / Alt 59 Jah. 11 Mon. / und 29 Tage

    6. [S116] Vit - ON - Death Registration.
      Emil Vagelsaug Death Date: 6 or 7 May 1894 Death Location: Waterloo Born: abt 1835 Birth Location: Deu

    7. [S2] Church Records - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Church of the New Jerusalem (Swedenborgian).
      Bridegroom Name: Emil Vogelzang Age: 34 Res: Berlin Place of Birth: Barmen, Ger. Names of Parents: Friedr. & Wilha. Vogelzang Bride: Name: Louisa Tuerk Age: 31 Res: Berlin Place of Birth: Rade, Prussia, Ger. Names of Parents: Gottliev & Wilha. Tuerk Witness(S): Name: Allen Huber Res: Berlin Name: Jacob Woelfle Res: Berlin Date of Marriage: June 28, 1868

    8. [S158] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1881, Div. 2 Pg. 65.

    9. [S229] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1871, Div. 1, Pg. 53.

    10. [S872] Book - Historic Building Inventory - Kitchener.

    11. [S2] Church Records - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Church of the New Jerusalem (Swedenborgian).
      Heinrich Otto b. 2 Nov 1873, bapt. 28 Jun 1874 s/o Ernie & Margaret. Vogelsang

    12. [S655] z Vit - ON - Birth Registration, 34262 (1882), Walter Eugene Vogelsang.
      Walter Eugene Vogelsang b. 11 Dec 1882 Berlin, s/o Emil Vogelsang (button manufacturer) & Margaret Cress

    13. [S116] Vit - ON - Death Registration.
      Emil Vagelsaug Death Date: 6 or 7 May 1894 Death Location: Waterloo Born: abt 1835 Birth Location: Deu
      Button Factory.jpg      		 Button Factory.jpg


    14. [S2264] Census - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - 1921, Sub Dist. 19 Page 23.

    15. [S5] Vit - - ON, Waterloo - 1858-1869 Marriage Register.
      Vogelsang Emil, 34, Berlin, Barmen Prussia, son of Friederich and Wilhelmina, married 28 June 1868 Louisa Tuerk, 31, Berlin, Rade Prussia, daughter of Gottleib and Wilhelmina

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1868 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 28 Jun 1868 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsHistoric Building - Canadian Ivory Button Factory or Canada Ivory Button Works - 1871 - 307 Queen Street South, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Manufacturer - 1871 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - [Member of New Jersulem Religion] - 1871 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsInvention - Cast Iron Skylight - Apr 1879 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Manufacturer - 1881 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Swedenborgian - 1881 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsElected Office - councillor - Kitchener - 1882 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsHistoric Building - Emil Vogelsangs home on North West Corner of Queen and Courtland - - Kitchener Daily Record Newspaper, Kitchener, , Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - button manufacturer - 1882 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - button maker - 1894 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - Cause: paralysis (11 days) - 6 May 1894 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - - Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 


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