ABIGAIL JANE “ABBIE” (CONVERSE) VOGT

Abigail Jane “Abbie” (Converse) Vogt gravestone
(Photo by Vernon B. Paddock)

B. July 21, 1879 in Volo, Lake County, IL
D. October 6, 1956 in Pistakee, McHenry County, IL
Find A Grave memorial (click here)

  • Father: Cyrus R. Converse born June 1851 in Fremont Center, Lake County, IL, son of Jason S. Converse (1821-1901) and Jane L. (Lamphere) Converse (1830-1913) (See section pertaining to Jason S. Converse buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery) (See section pertaining to Jane L. (Lamphere) Converse buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery); married Belle C. Parks on September 26, 1878 in Lake County, IL; Cyrus died July 13, 1922 in Deuel County, SD; buried in Grandview Cemetery, Gary, Deuel County, SD
  • Mother: Belle C. (Parks) Converse born about 1862 in Illinois; her father was born in Iceland and her mother was born in England; Belle died January 21, 1938 in Yankton County, SD; buried in State Hospital Cemetery, Yankton, Yankton County, SD  (NOTE: According to the 1930 U.S. Census, Belle was living with her youngest son, Clarence, and his family in Herrick, Deuel County, SD)
  • Husband: Joseph August Vogt born June 2, 1877 in Germany, son of Joseph Vogt (1845-1910) and Johanna (Scholz) Vogt (1849-1919); married April 10, 1901 in Fremont Township, Lake County, IL; Joseph died October 27, 1958 in Lake Villa, Lake County, IL (See section pertaining to Joseph August Vogt buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery)
  • Children:
    1. Ethel C. (Vogt) Benwell born September 15, 1901 in Illinois; married Clifford George Benwell (1892-1953) about 1920 as his second wife, son of George C. Benwell (1857-1939) and Adell M. (Claxton) Benwell (1864-1920); Clifford married (1) Jennie V. Potter (1894-1918), daughter of Charles Potter and Mary (Barrus) Potter; Ethel’s last residence in Round Lake, Lake County, IL; Ethel died December 1986
    2. Edward Charles “Chub” Vogt born September 16, 1903 in Avon Township, Lake County, IL; Edward died June 30, 1978 in Lake County, IL (See section pertaining to Edward Charles “Chub” Vogt buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery)
    3. Bernard W. Vogt born July 10, 1906 in Fremont Center, Lake County, IL; married Mary E. Beckey (1907-1983), daughter of William James Beckey (1877-1943) and Eda Belle (Snyder) Beckey (1885-1942); Bernard died June 9, 1977 in Kenosha, Kenosha County, WI; Bernard and Mary are buried in Warren Cemetery, Gurnee, Lake County, IL;

According to the Daily Sentinel (Woodstock IL) Monday, June 13, 1977, page 8:

“BERNARD W. VOGT – ANTIOCH – Bernard W. Vogt, 70, Camp Lake, Wis., died Thursday, June 9, in Kenosha Memorial Hospital, Kenosha, Wis.  He was born July 10, 1906, in Fremont Center, and moved to Camp Lake four years ago.  He farmed in the Round Lake area for many years.  Survivors are his widow, Mary; a daughter, Mrs. Lawrence (Joe) Weidman, Salem, Wis.; a granddaughter, Keri; a brother, Edward Vogt, Island Lake; and a sister, Mrs. Ethel Benwell, Round Lake.  Services were held at 10 a.m. Saturday in the Strang funeral home, Antioch, with burial in Warren cemetery.”

4. Mary Vogt born January 11, 1909 in Avon Township, Lake County, IL; Mary died March 15, 1939 in Grant Township, Lake County, IL (See section pertaining to Mary Vogt buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery)

5. Frank Vern Vogt born August 4, 1911 in Round Lake, Lake County, IL; married Mary Reba McKenzie on May 22, 1940, daughter of Hugh Hamilton McKenzie (1878-1945) and Mary Rebecca (Matthews) McKenzie (1881-1970); Frank died May 18, 1960 in Waukegan, Lake County, IL (See section pertaining to Frank Vern Vogt buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery)

6. George Vogt born about 1914 in Illinois

7. Frederick Nelson Vogt born January 23, 1917 in Illinois; Frederick died February 9, 1917 in Fremont Township, Lake County, IL (See section pertaining to Frederick Nelson Vogt buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery)

  • Siblings:
    • Harry Converse born November 1881 in Illinois; Harry died February, 1905 in Gary, Deuel County, SD; buried in Grandview Cemetery, Gary, Deuel County, SD

According to the Minneapolis Journal (Minneapolis MN) Thursday, February 16, 1905, page 13:

   “GARY, S. D. – Harry Converse died of typhoid fever at the home of his parents after an illness of five days.  He was 22.”

According to the McHenry Plaindealer (McHenry IL) Thursday, February 23, 1905, page 5:

   “We have recently been notified of the death of Harry, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus Converse, of Gary, S. D.  Mr. and Mrs. Converse were former residents of Volo.”

    • John B. Converse born June 19, 1884 in Gary, Deuel County, SD; John died November 18, 1957 in Spink County, SD (NOTE: According to the 1940 and 1950 U.S. Census, John was living as an inmate at the State School & Home for Feeble Minded in Redfield Township, Spink County, SD (also in 1935)

According to the U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918:

“Name: John Converse; Permanent Home Address: Gary, Deuel County, SD; Age in Years: 34; Date of Birth: June 19, 1884; Race: White; U.S. Citizen: Native Born; Present Occupation: Farm laborer; Employer’s Name: J. H. Ingalls; Place of Employment; R.F.D. No. 1 Portland Twp, Deuel County, SD; Nearest Relative: Mrs. S. Converse, Gary, Deuel County, SD; Height: Medium; Build: Medium; Color of Eyes: Gray; Color of Hair: Dark; Signed: Sept 12-1918”

    • Cynthia A. (Converse) Battensby born August 1887 in South Dakota; married William James Battensby (1858-after 1915) on August 15, 1908 in Deuel County, SD; in 1900 William Battensby lived with William Robert and Nancy Paddock in Wauconda Township, Lake County, IL as a laborer; (NOTE: According to the 1930 and 1940 U.S. Census, Cynthia and several daughters lived in the State School & Home for Feeble Minded in Redfield Township, Spink County, SD; Cynthia died April 2, 1959 in Spink County, SD
    • Fred Converse born June 27, 1887 (death record and WWII registration card indicates 1886) in Gary, Deuel County, SD; Quartermaster Corp WWI Veteran, PFC (March 8, 1918 – May 6, 1919), Camp Supply Detachment, QMC, Camp Grant, IL; Fred died April 22, 1955 in Fargo Township, Cass County, SD; buried in Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, MN

According to the Argus-Leader (Sioux Falls SD) Wednesday, April 27, 1955, page 5:

“Gary, S.D. – Converse, Fred, 67.  Funeral services to be held at Ft. Snelling, Minn., Thursday.  Died in North Dakota.  Born at Gary, June 27, 1887.  Resident of Gary community most of his life.  Single.  Veteran of World War I.  Survivors are four sisters and three brothers.”

    • Alma Lucretia (Converse) Stangeland born September 3, 1889 in Gary, Deuel County, SD; married Robert Martin Stangeland (1875-1961) on January 14, 1908 in Codington County, SD; Alma died August 18, 1972 in Lincoln, Blue Earth County, MN; Alma and Robert are buried in Grandview Cemetery, Gary, Deuel County, SD
    • Cora Ann Converse born July 12, 1895 in Fremont Center, Lake County, IL; According to the 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940 and 1950 U.S. Census, Cora lived in the State School & Home for Feeble Minded in Redfield Township, Spink County, SD; Cora died February 14, 1974 in Clear Lake, Deuel County, SD; buried in Grandview Cemetery, Gary, Deuel County, SD

According to the Argus-Leader (Sioux Falls SD) Monday, July 27, 1908, page 6:

“A VERY UNUSUAL CASE AT CLEAR LAKE

   Clear Lake, July 27. – (Special to the Argus-Leader.) – An unusual case was that of Cora Converse, aged 15, who as the result of a hearing in the probate court in this city has been committed to the state home for the feeble-minded at Redfield.  She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus Converse, well known residents of Gary.  There are ugly rumors afloat to concerning the girl and a certain man who resides in this (Deuel) county, and it was expected an arrest would be made.  It was announced that a warrant would be sworn out for his arrest, but this plan seems to have been changed as no arrest has yet been made and it now is likely that nothing further will be done.”

According to the South Dakota, U.S., Cemetery Index, 1831-2008:

“Name: James Converse; Death Date: 5 Dec 1907; Burial Place: Glenwood, Deuel, South Dakota, USA; Cemetery : Grandview; URL: https://apps.sd.gove/dt58cemetery/”

    • Clarence Lansing Converse born May 19, 1902 in South Dakota; married Florence Isabell Hoy (1912-2004) on May 8, 1929 in Codington County, SD, daughter of Peter Hoy (1877-1951) and Lena K. (Kettleson) Hoy (1892-1960); Florence married (2) William E. Buege in December 1966; (NOTE: in 1950 Clarence and Florence lived in Bellingham, Whatcom County, WA); Clarence died December 4, 1963 in Stearns County, MN; Clarence and Florence are buried in Foster Cemetery, Bayview, Mille Lacs County, MN

According to the U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947:

“Clarence Lansing Converse; Place of Residence: Glenwood, Deuel County, S. Dak.; Mailing Address: Gary, Deuel County, S. Dak.; Telephone: (blank); Age in Years: 39; Date of Birth: May 19 1902; Place of Birth: Herick, Deuel County, S. Dak; Name and Address of Person Who Will Always Know Your Address: Mrs. Florence Converse, Gary, S. Dak.; Employer’s Name: Self employed; Place of Employment: On the farm; Race: White; Height: 6 ft; Weight: 185; Eyes: Gray; Hair: Brown; Complexion: Light; Signed: Feb. 16th 1942”

Additional Information:

According to the 1880 U.S. Census for the Town of Avon, Lake County, IL the household members were:

“Cyrus Converse, age 29, married, occupation: farmer, born in Illinois, father born in Vermont, mother born in New York; Bell P. Converse, age 19, wife, married, born in Illinois, parents born in Illinois; Abigail Converse, age 10/12, daughter, single, born in Illinois”

According to the Waukegan Daily Sun (Waukegan IL) Tuesday, April 23, 1901, page 2:

“On Wednesday, April 10, 1901, at the home of Father Rhode in Freemont (sic), occurred the marriage of Miss Abbie Converse and Mr. Joseph Vogt.  Miss Rose Vogt and Mr. Paul Vogt, brother and sister of the groom, acting as bride’s maid and best man.  The wedding dinner was given by the bride’s grandmother, Mrs. Jane Converse, only immediate relatives present.  Those present were: Mrs. Elam Converse and daughter Francis of Chicago; Mr. and Mrs. George Wicks, Grayslake; Mr. and Mrs. Mat Glosson; Mr. and Mrs. Albert Paddock; Mr. and Mrs. John Walton and family; Messrs. Paul, Robert and Frank Vogt; Mr. Charles Smith and daughter Cora, Hebron, Ill.  The next day after the wedding they moved to their home on the Mullen farm near Wauconda.  Their many friends wish them a happy and prosperous journey through life.  They received many beautiful and useful presents.”

According to the 1905 South Dakota, State Census:

“Cyrus Converse, age 54, born 1851 in Illinois, parents born in Vermont; Belle Converse, age 44, born 1861 in Illinois, parents born in Illinois; Abbie Converse, age 26, born 1879 in Illinois; Harry Converse, age 23, born 1882 in Illinois; John Converse, age 21, born 1884 in South Dakota; Cynthia Converse, age 18, born 1887 in South Dakota; Fred Converse, age 17, born 1888 in South Dakota; Alma Converse, age 15, born 1890 in South Dakota; Cora Converse, age 10, born 1895 in Illinois; Delbert Converse, age 9, born 1896 in Illinois; Clarence Converse, age 3, born in 1902 in South Dakota; Almer Converse, age 2, born 1903 in South Dakota.”

According to the 1910 U.S. Census for Fremont Township, Lake County, IL the household members were:

“Joseph Vogt, head, age 32, married once for 9 years, born in Germany, parents born in Germany, immigrated 1884, occupation: farmer – general farm; Abigaio (sic Abigail), wife, age 30, married once for 9 years, 4 children born, 4 children living, born in Illinois; parents born in Illinois; Ethel Vogt, daughter, age 8, single, born in Illinois; Edward Vogt, son, age 6, single, born in Illinois, Bernard Vogt, son, age 4, single, born in Illinois; Mary Vogt, daughter, age 1, single, born in Illinois”

According to the 1920 U.S. Census for Fremont Township, Lake County, IL the household members were:

“Joseph Vogt, head, age 42, married, immigrate 1888, born in Germany, parents born in Germany, occupation: farmer – general farm; Abbie Vogt, wife, age 40, married, born in Illinois, parents born in Illinois; Ethel Vogt, daughter, age 18, single, born in Illinois; Edward Vogt, son, age 16, single, born in Illinois; Bernard Vogt, son, age 13, single, born in Illinois; Mary Vogt, daughter, age 11, single, born in Illinois; Frank Vogt, son, age 8, single, born in Illinois”

According to the 1930 U.S. Census for Grant Township, Lake County, IL the household members were:

“Joseph Vogt, head, age 52, married first at age 24, born in Germany, parents born in Germany, immigrated in 1885; occupation: farmer – general farming; Abigail Vogt, wife, age 50, married first at age 22, born in Illinois, parent born in Illinois; Edward Vogt, son, age 26, single, born in Illinois, occupation: laborer – farm; Bernard Vogt, son, age 24, single, born in Illinois, occupation: laborer – farm; Mary Vogt, daughter, age 21, single, born in Illinois; Frank Vogt, son, age 18, single, born in Illinois; George Vogt, son, age 16, single, born in Illinois.”

According to the 1940 U.S. Census for Grant Township, Lake County, IL on  Russell Road the household members were:

“Joseph Vogt, heat, age 62, married, highest grade complete – 0, born in Germany, lived in same house in 1935, occupation: farmer –  farm; Annie (sic Abbie) wife, age 60, married, highest grade completed – 5, 5 children born, 5 children living, born in Illinois, lived in same house 1935, Edward Vogt, son, age 37, single, highest grade completed – 7, born in Illinois, lived in same in house in 1935, occupation: laborer – farm; Bernard Vogt, son, age 34, single, highest grade completed – 8, born in Illinois, lived in same house in 1935, occupation: laborer – farm; Frank Vogt, son, age 29, married, highest grade completed – C1, born in Illinois, lived in same house in 1935, occupation: Proprietor – tavern; Mary Vogt, daughter in law, age 25, married, highest grade completed – H4, born in Ohio, lived in same place in 1935”

According to the 1950 U.S. Census for Round Lake Beach, Avon Township, Lake County, IL living on Beach View, the household members were:

“Joseph A Vogt, head, age 72, married, born in Germany; Abbie J Vogt, wife, age 71, married, born in Illinois”

According to the McHenry Plaindealer (McHenry IL) Thursday, October 11, 1956, page 1:

“Rites Conducted Tuesday For Mrs. Joseph Vogt – Friends were sorry to learn of the death of Mrs. Joseph Vogt, 77, at the Villa Rest home on Saturday, Oct. 6.  She was a native of Volo and had lived in Round Lake in recent years.  Her husband, one daughter and three sons survive.”

According to the Lake County Illinois Genealogical Society. “Strang Funeral Home – Grayslake, Illinois – 1908-1964”. Mundelein IL. 2015:

“Surname: VOGT; Name: Abigail Jane; Birth Date/Place: 21 Jul 1879, Volo; Death Date/Place: 06 Oct 1956, McHenry Co; Cause of Death: Myocarditis; married; Occupation: (blank); Minister – Funeral Home: (blank); Burial Place – Next of Kin: Fort Hill, Cyrus CONVERSE-Father, Beelvie PARKS-Mother”