frederick vogel emigrated from wurtemberg, germany to milwaukee. in 1848, he founded a tannery on milwaukee's menominee river. having also emigrated from wurtemberg in 1845, vogel's cousin guido pfister opened a shoe store on nearby west water street. they joined forces as the pfister & vogel leather company in 1853, and their company thrived, becoming one of the largest leather producers in the country. august h. vogel was vice-president of the company until his death.