According to a geneological entry from a book entitled Buchanan County and St. Joseph, p. 353, that Shirley Gier Neenan Brenneke gave to Helen Liebst Neenan in the 1960s, “Donat Boegle, dealer in shoes, 423 Felix street, was born at Hauenstein, grand duchy of Baden, February 10, 1832, the son of Blasius Boegle. After learning the trade of shoemaker, he came to the United States, locating in new York. In November of 1857, he came to St. Joseph and began business in a small way. He prospered and the business he established is now one of the best retail houses of its kind in the city. He was first married in Havre France, and his wife died in St. Joseph. Of this union there were three children, two of whom survive, Henry O. And Mrs. John J. Neenan. November 15, 1864 he married Miss Katherine Von Arx, born at Neundorff Switzerland, in 1839, the daughter of Caspar and Marie Theresa Von Arx. Of this union there were eight children. Those who survive are Bertha (Mrs. W. H. Morlock), Oscar, Clara and Juliette. Mr. Boegle gave close attention to his business and was ever a robust man. Early in January he took sick and his trouble developed into pneumonia from which he died on January 18, 1899. The funeral services were held at Immaculate Conception Church, and his remains were laid away at Mount Olivet cemetery. His business is continued by his heirs.” Birth and death dates for many of the Boegles are taken from grave markers at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, St. Joseph, MO.2


This is what I have found out about Donatus Boegle. He was born in Hauenstein on Feb.10, 1832. He immigrated to the US on a ship named Mercury that left from Le Havre, France arriving in New York in 1856 with his wife Anna Lauber. After arriving in New York, he spent one year learning the trade of shoemaker and in 1857 the family moved to St. Joseph, Missouri where he opened a shoe shop that was very small but became very successful. They had 2 children, Henry born in 1859 and Emma
born in 1862.

Anna died when Emma and Henry were very young so then Donat married Katherine Von Ark in 1864. She was born in Neundorff, Switzerland. They had 8 more children and 4 of those lived to adulthood.

Donat caught pneumonia in January 1899 and died later that month, at the age of 67 years. A funeral was held at the Immaculate Conception Catholic church and he is buried in the Mount Olivet cemetery in St. Joseph. I have a photo of him with Katherine and the 6 living children probably taken around 1888-1890.3