early and mid 19th century
I think you meant 20th Century.
There's no evidence that Siegal or Schuster had any intentions of making a religious statement or having religious overtones anywhere in their creation. (Aside from the obvious - that Superman was a refugee who made good in the U.S.)
The religious interpretations are later. Maggin admitted to adding religious upbringing to the backgrounds of the characters. Other, more recent writers have added religion to the mix. Superman had a priest as a spiritual adviser.
