Frank Vogler & Sons History - 1858-2006
Introduction
Since 1858, Frank Vogler & Sons has been recognized for its excellence as a
leader of funeral service. The remarkable history and outstanding reputation of
Voglers continues today. The Voglers remain committed to the same high standards
and quality of services that were the foundation of the firm 148 years ago. Highly
qualified and caring employees, business integrity and responsibility, community
service and public confidence have, for decades, been the cornerstone on which the
Voglers have served the people of the region.
1770 - 1850
In 1770, Phillip Vogler settled on the tract of land called the “Wachovia”
located in Piedmont, North Carolina. He had traveled, with his parents, from Germany,
where they first settled in Maine and then sailed to North Carolina. Here, he assisted
in the establishment of the Friedland community. Today, this area is six miles south
of Old Salem. He then moved to Bethania where he remained until his death.
1850 - 1870
Phillip’s son, Christoph was a gunsmith, who begot a son, Nathaniel, who in
turn begot a son, Alexander Christoph Vogler. “A.C.” Vogler was the
first of the Voglers in the funeral business. In 1858, after studying carpentry,
A.C. set up his shop on the corner of 1st and Main streets, where Vogler's Main
Street Chapel now operates. He made custom built furniture and coffins in this shop,
and in 1870 he added undertaking.
1870 - 1900
During the next twenty years, A.C. Vogler developed the undertaking industry for
the region. He had a fine line of metal and wooden caskets, horse dawn hearses,
and the latest technology for surgical embalming. In 1885, his son Frank H. Vogler
joined the business. Vogler's, then in the second generation, began to grow just
as the cities of Winston and Salem were also growing.
1900-1950
By 1901, Vogler's Funeral Home had become the largest firm in its region of North
Carolina. In 1909 and 1910, Frank Vogler’s two sons, Will and Gene joined
the business, thus beginning the third generation of Vogler Funeral Service. The
Voglers have always been the vanguard of the Funeral Service. Its embalming technique
proved to be trend-setting, and in 1912 Vogler’s added the first motorized
hearse between Washington D.C. and Atlanta. Shortly after that, it offered the first
motorized ambulance in 1913; the air ambulance followed and then, in 1956, short
wave radios directed the fleet.
1950-Present
Francis E. Vogler Jr. was the fourth generation Vogler working in the firm. He began
his career with Vogler's after serving in W.W. II. Under his leadership and direction
two new locations were built, on Reynolda Road and in Clemmons. After many years
of dedicated service, he passed the company to his two sons, Gene Vogler II and
Mosby Vogler, who now represent the fifth generation. The Vogler Funeral Home is
undergoing a great change, by incorporating the community and embracing newer technologies,
Gene Vogler II and Mosby Vogler are starting Salem Funerals & Cremations
in June of 2006. The changes will bring a new but familiar face to the funeral industry.
By holding onto the values created in our long history and departing from corporate
ownership, we hope to bring back the highest of service standards that our community
deserves.
Vogler's has been blessed with dedicated employees throughout the years --
employees who had sacrificed their safety on emergency ambulance calls and their
personal time for the public and the community. The emotional struggle which families
face at the time of death are never taken lightly. Five generations ago, A.C. Vogler
created a legacy of craftsmanship and caring, which has continued to grow over the
years. We are proud of this heritage and history. Although many changes have occurred
in Winston-Salem over the past 158 years, one thing has remained the same: Vogler's
is committed to providing the highest quality of service and dedication to the members
of this community.
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