JOHN WALKER VOGT
Margaret Vassie’s first husband was a tall, handsome man with blue eyes
and black hair, who was known to be a gentle, well-educated man. As an or-
phan boy before his sixth birthday, and who probably did not remember his
parents, he learned to be adjustable. He was fortunate to be reared and edu-
cated by an uncle, Jacob Vogt, who owned a cotton and cane plantation in
Marion County, Florida, and was a teacher at East Florida Seminary in Ocala.
John lived with Uncle Jake, a widower, and several cousins until 1876, when
Jacob died. Then John was eighteen and on his own.
Margaret Vassie’s first husband was a tall, handsome man with blue eyes
and black hair, who was known to be a gentle, well-educated man. As an or-
phan boy before his sixth birthday, and who probably did not remember his
parents, he learned to be adjustable. He was fortunate to be reared and edu-
cated by an uncle, Jacob Vogt, who owned a cotton and cane plantation in
Marion County, Florida, and was a teacher at East Florida Seminary in Ocala.
John lived with Uncle Jake, a widower, and several cousins until 1876, when
Jacob died. Then John was eighteen and on his own.
As brothers, John and Albertus began to spend much time together and be-
came good friends. They seemed to have a special bond, although quite unlike
in personality. Both were energetic and hard-working, and about 1885 the two
became equal partners in the real estate business, opening an office in Ocala.
(See their business logo on the cover,) When Albertus made the discovery of
hard-rock phosphate on his homeplace, their lives were changed, yet the two
remained partners in business and best friends.
John met Margaret Vassie in Dunnellon, where she was a school teacher.
They were married by a Methodist minister in Dunnellon in 1889. Their first
home was on Bonita Island, where their daughter, Adelaide Bonita, was born in
1890, and their son, William Vassie, was born on the island in 1892.
Soon after William was born, John moved his family into the beautiful new
home that he had had designed and built for them in Levy County, about nine
miles west of Albertus’and Mary’s home. John Walker Vogt, Jr. was the first
of their children to be born in their new home, which was in 1894. In 1897,
a daughter. Marguerite was born, living only two weeks. A son, Kenneth Leoni-
das, was born in 1899, who lived only ten months.
About 1900 John Walker Vogt, Sr. became ill. His illness was diagnosed
as a kidney ailment, then called Bright’s Disease. For almost two years John
suffered, and he died on August 11, 1901, age 43 years.
The following is a letter written to “Mrs.Maggie Vogt, Dunnellon, Florida”, postmarked “Ocala, Fla., Aug. 13 (9 PM).”(Typewritten) E. Van Hood, M.D. Office Hours: 11 A.M. to 2 P.M. City Physician Telephone: Residence, 111. Ocala, Florida Office, 1. Ocala, Florida, Aug. 17th, 1901. Mrs. Maggie Vogt, Dunnellon, Fla.
Dear Friend.
There are times in life when speech seems all but a sacrilege.
And none of us can tolerate wordy formality when our hearts are bleeding.
If the consolation I offer should seem to lack heart or warmth of friendship’s
sympathy, it is because the “flesh is weak”. The spirit is willing – striving
to go out to you in this climax of sorrows.
Love to Johnnie, Addie, and Willie.
Your friend as ever,
(Signed) E. Van Hood