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Photographs
Voigt Family Collection ➔ Frames (2), Contains Pair Of Photos Of Mr. And Mrs. G. A. Voigt
Identifier:
V472Description:
Pair of picture frames made of walnut. Outer edge moulding, gold leaf inner moulding, gold velvet mid section. Contains a pair of photographs of Carl Gustav Voigt and his wife Elizabeth.;USA: Michigan, Grand Rapids. Voigt House. Ralph Voigt donated majority of C.G.A. Voigt estate to GR Foundation upon his death in 1971. GR Foundation leased the property to Kent County Council of Historic Preservation. KCCHP purchased the property in 1974 and donated it to the City.. Voigt, Ralph.Materials:
WalnutDimensions:
15" h 17" wCurrent Location Status:
In StorageCollection Tier:
Tier 2Source:
Gift Of Kent County Council For Historic PreservationRelated Entities:
Kent County Council for Historic Preservation (donor)The Kent County Council for Historic Preservation has several responsibilities that support the preservation and protection of our history. These include:
- Recommending designation of new historic districts
- Reviewing applications for proposed alterations within historic districts
- Enforcing the Historic Preservation Ordinance Chapter and cooperating with the state, federal and local governments in pursuance of its responsibilities
- Conducting meetings or hearings necessary to carry out these purposes
The Historic Preservation Commission consists of seven members who reside in Grand Rapids. Members are appointed by the City Commission for three-year terms (two consecutive terms are allowed). Members shall have a demonstrated interest in or knowledge of historic preservation. Two members shall be appointed from a list submitted by the Kent County Council for Historic Preservation and one member shall be an architect duly registered in the State of Michigan.
http://grcity.us/design-and-development-services/Planning-Department/Pages/Historic-Preservation-Commission.aspx
Charles (Carl) Gustav Adolph Voigt was born December 5th, 1833 in Saxony, Prussia. He was the oldest of the five sons of August Adolph and Johanna Wilhelmina Voigt. In 1847 the family immigrated to the United States, settling on a farm near Michigan City, Indiana. Charles’ father and mother lived until 1852 and 1853 respectively. By 1856 Charles had married Virginia Bateman Phillips, four years his senior. They had two children, Johanna and Charles Bateman. The daughter and mother died by 1859. The son lived to age seven, dying in 1865. Charles married Elizabeth Wurster who was eight years his junior in 1860. Together they had nine children, three of which died in infancy: Oscar (1863), Clarence (1864), and Lilly (1879-1880). The other children included Frank (1861-1927), Clara (1868-1951), Emma (1870-1953), Amanda (1873-1963), Carl (1874-1958), and Ralph (1882-1971). The second generation of Voigts, from the birth of the first child by Mr. Voigt's first marriage to his last child’s death had spanned 114 years.
In 1895 Charles hired William G. Robinson to design his retirement home on 115 College Avenue Southeast. It was inspired by the chateaux at Chenoceaux, France. He lived in this house until he passed away in 1908.
Elizabeth S. Voigt (depicts)
Mrs. Elizabeth S. Voigt was the wife of Charles (Carl) G.A. Voigt and the co-founder of the Voigt-Herpolsheimer Company and the Voigt Milling Company. Mrs. Voigt was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan on July 6th, 1841. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Conrad Wurster. In 1855 she and her family moved to Michigan City, Indiana. In 1857, Mrs. Voigt came to the Grand River Valley for the first time, traveling by stagecoach over the old Kalamazoo plank road. While visiting friends here she was captivated by the natural beauty of the country; she was a lover of flowers and nature. She returned to Michigan City, however, and in 1860 married Mr. Voigt, who, at the time, was managing a dry good store there. In 1865 Mr. Voigt went into business for himself and founded the Voigt Dry Goods Company. The store prospered and soon afterward William G. Herpolsheimer, a fellow employee, joined Mr. Voigt. The concern expanded soon after the partnership was established in Grand Rapids. It was known as the Voit-Herpolsheimer Company and was located at 42 Monroe Ave. In 1875, Mr. and Mrs. Voigt came to Grand Rapids. Mr. Voigt retained his interest in the dry goods business but soon acquired the Star Milling Company and started a business as C.G.A. Voigt & Co. In 1882, the Crescent Mill was purchased and in 1896 the two mills were merged to form the Voigt Milling Company. In 1902 Mr. Voigt and Mr. Herpolsheimer dissolved their partnership by verbal agreement. Mr. Voigt kept the mills and Mr. Herpolsheimer kept the dry goods store. Charles died in 1908 and the milling business was incorporated. Mrs. Voigt was named vice president and was active in the affairs of the company until death. Besides being active in the flour milling business, she was involved or had interests in music, church work, and her home. Her home was her club and she was always active in the care of her family. She was widely known for her kindness and philanthropies. On May 11, 1929, she died at her home, 115 College Ave. S.E., at the age of 87 years old. Ralph Voigt (is related to)
Ralph Voigt, born in Grand Rapids, was 14 years old when the family moved into their home at 115 College Ave. SE in 1896. Mr. Voigt was well into middle age when Ralph was born, so it was only natural that the last child should be special to his father. Ralph, the third surviving son by the second marriage, became a pal to his father in his old age. Partly for this reason, Ralph entered and graduated from one of the finest Prep schools in the nation, Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. He subsequently went to Yale University graduating in 1905 from the School of Mining Engineering. During this period, he mastered the banjo and the guitar playing in school organized "bands" popular at the time. Joining a fraternity or sorority, of course, was a high point in the college student's career. Ralph was certainly no exception. He was in plays and college related productions and was popular. Memorabilia of Ralph's college days is abundant in the house -- a set of Wedgwood china bearing Yale scenes and other small personal items displayed in his bedroom. After his years in New England, Ralph returned to Grand Rapids and worked with the other family members in the milling business especially after his father's death in 1908. Ralph remained a bachelor living in this family home until his death there in 1971 at age 88.