Will County ILGenWeb Biographies..... 
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File contributed for use by:
Dori Leekly & Margie Glenn

Author: History of Will County IL, 1878

F. E. VOIGT, foreman Motive-Power Joliet Cut-off R. R., Joliet; was born in Leipsic, 
Saxony, Germany, Aug. 23, 1841 ; the family emigrated to America in 1846, and stopped 
in Chicago a short time; thence to Michigan City, Ind., and was the first German family 
settling in the village and vicinity; here, F. E. grew to manhood, and learned his 
trade; in 1858, he started to California on foot, taking the overland route and the 
life of a pioneer and adventurer; in the latter part of 1859, he reached his destination,
having spent almost two years with the Indians, making his way from tribe to tribe; 
the winter of 1858, he spent in Salt Lake City; after reaching California, be engaged 
in mining, and was very successful, making some $4,000; leaving the mines, he went to 
San Francisco, and, on account of a rheumatic affection, be sailed to Honolulu, in the 
Sandwich Islands; here, after a sojourn of some months, havin effected a cure, he 
visited the West India Isles. During the late war, he was in the employ of the Government, 
in the locomotive department of the Nashville & Chattanooga R. R. He was afterward 
engaged in constructing and rebuilding locomotives at Nashville, Tenn.; subsequently, 
he was engaged as roundhouse foreman on the A. & M. R. R., at Vincennes, Ind. ; here he 
remained four years; thence to Seymour, Ind., where be had charge of the shops as master 
machinist two years; be then went to Europe, and remained one year; in the fall of 1872, 
he returned, and took the position of roundhouse foreman at Michigan City, on the M. C.
 R. R. ; in 1877, he came to his present position. He was married July 16, 1872, to Emma 
 THEME, a native of Germany. Owns real estate in Michigan City and Vincennes, valued at 
 $5,000.


Additional Comments:
HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS; Chicago: Wm LeBaron Jr & Co, 186 Dearborn Street, 1878.