The Editor wrote the following article as part of a series on Golden Businesses, during the 2005 Sesquicentennial. Click here to read about a unique fundraiser benefit for shop owner Tom Vogel.
Babies haven’t any hair;
Old men’s heads are just as bare;
–Between the cradle and the grave
Lies a haircut and a shave.
Samuel Hoffenstein wrote this ditty apropos of most barbers. However, don’t ask Tom Vogel for a shave with your haircut. Since earning his license in Moline, IL, at Lincoln Barber College in August 1960, he shaved only one customer.
His father, Jay, was skilled at keeping razors sharp with a leather strop, but this necessity was a challenge for the 19-year-old Tom. Skilled though he was, Jay Vogel last shaved a customer in 1966. This personal grooming task had become something men could do for themselves at home. The 1960’s were also a time when men wore beards and long hair.
Jay Vogel opened his barber shop in 1932 in the 100 block of W. Main Street, Morrison, IL, beside the Capitol Theater. It proved to be a fortunate location when movie actor and singer Gene Autry performed at the theater. The elder Vogel gave Autry a haircut.
The shop was relocated to the basement of the Whiteside Hotel (formerly True Value Hardware, 130 E. Main) and then, in June 1966, to the current location at 205 E. Main. During some of these years Vogel employed Frank Lanphere. The younger Vogel has worked at this site since he joined the family business nearly 54 years ago.
Reflecting upon changes in the barber business over these years, Tommy Vogel noted that short hairstyles for men have returned, like the “flattop” and “buzz.” Although he is ready and able to continue this service for all ages of customers, he noted that some people perform these haircuts at home. Inspectors need no longer come every two years to “evaluate” him. It’s hair, after all; he simply cuts it!
Janie Vogel used to cut her husband’s hair. She had worked in the shop for 15 years cutting, styling, coloring, and permanently waving hair for men and women. She sold radio advertisements and Avon products as well.
Neither Terry nor Brian Vogel plans to enter their father’s business.
Vogel had no plans to retire in 2005, but he admitted he may shorten his hours in the shop.
This would allow more time for his second passion–horse racing. In the last 35 years, he has announced over 8000 horse races in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin. His is the rich voice that called the Whiteside County Fair trotter and pacer races. Vogel stated he enjoys attending races with big purses, visiting top horse farms during their yearling sales, and playing golf when he lays down his scissors.