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William H. Mengel

William H. Mengel  Captain  Co. H, and 1st Lieut. Co. G 26th MO Inf.

William H. Mengel has a biographical sketch in the regimental history on page 178.

Full muster record: age 24; height 5' 11"; auburn hair; blue eyes; dark complexion; single; clerk; born in Hessen, Germany; residing in California in Moniteau county, Missouri, at time of enlistment on Oct. 4, 1861; mustered into service on Jan. 9, 1862 at Medora, Missouri, by Lt. Wherry; Promoted from 1st Sgt. to 2nd Lt. June 18, 1862. Promoted from 2nd Lt. to 1st Lt. Feb. 19, 1863.

Dec. 24, 1865 Marriage certificate.  See Feb. 26, 1912 listing below.  Book #2, page 95.
May 29, 1879 Affidavit of William Mengel.  Enlisted Oct. 4, 1861 as 1st Sgt. of 26th Missouri after company G of the Cole County Home Guards disbanded.  June 18, 1862, promoted to 2nd Lieut., then to 1st Lieut. on Jan. 10, 1863, then to captain of company H, May 1, 1864.  Suffered off and on from the wound during his service and the pain has increased since leaving the service.  Making case for permanent disability.
May 29, 1879 Affidavit of Theron M. Rice given in Moniteau county.  Similar to Dec. 10, 1880 affidavit, but mentioned that Mengel was sent to Boonville and Lexington to guard supply boat.
July 7, 1879 Affidavit of John Gatchet who was a member of a 20 squad commanded by Wm. Mengel, of company G, 1st regiment of US Reserve Corps, commanded by A.  R. Richardson.  Given in Moniteau county.  The detachment was sent to Lexington, MO., to escort supply wagons.  The squad was then included with the defenders commanded by Col. James A. Mulligan against Sterling Price's army, which subsequently captured the entire force and works of Lexington.  He also reports that Mengel was wounded in the left chest near the shoulder blade. 
May 31, 1880 Letter to Commissioner of Pensions - Explaining that after being paroled from capture at the battle of Lexington, Mo., he never got hospital treatment for his wound, just from the regimental surgeon.  That after his regiment disbanded, he joined the 26th Missouri and was never hurt or sick enough to be in a hospital during his service with the 26th.
Dec. 10, 1880 Affidavit of Theron M. Rice given in Cooper county, Missouri.  He was captain of company G, Cole county, Mo, Home Guards, under the command of Col. A. P. Richardson.  States that Wm. Mengel enlisted as a first sergeant of Co. G, Cole county Home Guard on June 14, 1861.  Was promoted to 2nd Lieut. about Aug. 16, 1861.  In the middle of September, 1861, Mengel was detailed with 20 men to boat load of supplies from Jefferson City to Lexington, Mo.  Was at the battle of Lexington Sept. 18, 1861 and was captured.  Saw him next he had a gun shot wound in left breast near collar bone.  Also knew Mengel as 1st sergeant in co. G, 26th Mo, then as 1st Lieut. of same company.  Also knew him as captain of company H.  He also knew that the chest wound never really healed properly and caused him difficulty.
Dec. 13, 1880 Affidavit of William H. Mengel given in Moniteau county.  Listed Jacob Kaserman/Kaseman and John Gatchet as members of the detail of 20 men, who went with him to Lexington.  States that after he was captured and paroled, he met with the regimental doctor, a Dr. Brown/Bruns, who could swear to his injury, but is now long since dead.  When he returned to join his regiment, it had already been mustered out and his records with them were incomplete and didn't list him as mustered out.  (records early in the war were very incomplete.)
Dec. 13, 1880 Affidavit of Jacob Kaserman/Kaseman given in Moniteau county.  Was member of 20 man squad commanded by Wm. Mengel to guard steamer "Clara Bell" from Jefferson City to Lexington, MO., in September, 1861.  He was present when Mengel was shot in left breast near collar bone, all in the line of duty.  Also, was with Mengel when company was paroled by enemy.
Dec. 13, 1880 Examining Surgeon's Certificate.  Height 5' 11", weight 185 lbs., complexion fair, age about 42, pulse 100, respiration 18.  Wound described: ball entered 1 1/2 inches below he clavicle, just below the 2nd rib, passing through the lung and lodging near the spine.  Has difficulty breathing when lying down and pain when reaching above the head.  Examined by Dr. M. M. Prentiss.  Sketch included to show location of entry and location of ball.
April 7, 1881 Affidavit of William Mengel that he was paroled as a prisoner by Gen. Sterling Price and returned to Jefferson City, where he was examined by a regimental surgeon, Dr. "Brown/Bruns?."  No treatment was given and wasn't assigned to hospital. 
Sept. 27, 1881 Original Invalid Pension increase to $15 approved.  To be paid commencing from Jan. 9, 1865. 
July 10, 1886 Declaration for Increase of Invalid Army Pension, currently receiving $15 per month.  Officially appoints Fred W. Fout, 3100 Clark Ave, St. Louis, Mo as his attorney.  Witnessed by August Seyffert and T. A. Todd, both residents in Moniteau county, Missouri.  signed by both.
Aug. 25, 1886 Examining Surgeon's Certificate.  Height 5' 11", weight 200, age 48, pulse 84 per minute, respiration 18, temp 98.5.  Mengel reports that he doesn't have continuous pain, but severe pain and cough during cold weather.  Suffers from pain in spine causing problems with urinating.  Claims general nervousness caused by ball near spine. 
Sept. 24, 1886 Application for increase in pension.
Oct. 5, 1892 Declaration for Increase of an Invalid Pension.  Filed in St. Louis, MO.
Nov. 30, 1892 Examining Surgeon's Certificate. Height 5' 11 1/4," weight 206, age 54, pulse rate 68, respiration 19.  Receiving pension of $15, seeking increase.  Observed scar near entry wound.  Five inch scar over spine extending from the 1st dorsal vertebra downward, result of removal of fatty tumor.  Some emphysema detected in left lung, right lung normal.  Rated 15/18 for the disability caused by gun shot wound.  Illustrations came directly from the report.  Back view shows scar for removal of tumor.
April 1, 1893 Request for increase dated Oct. 10, 1892, rejected.  No reason noted.
Feb. 26, 1912 Notarized marriage certificate submitted by Chas. C. Treiber for William H. Mengel and Elizabeth Meyer.  Certificate states that William H. Mengel and Elizabeth Meyer were married by the Rev. G. Lehnigk, Evang. Lutheran Pastor.
Feb. 13, 1913 Approval of pension increase request filed May 28, 1912.  To be paid $25 commencing May 28, 1912.  Birth noted as Feb. 13, 1838.  Mentions 4 days absent without leave during service with 26th?
March 4, 1914 Affidavit of August Seyffert, age 68, residing at California, Moniteau county, Missouri, attesting to the marriage of William and Elizabeth Mengel.  signed.
March 4, 1912 Affidavit of Dr. Hugo Klueber, age 75, residing at California, Moniteau county, Missouri, attesting to the marriage of William and Elizabeth Mengel.
Feb. 13, 1913 Pension for Wm. H. Mengel, 2nd Lt. Co. G, 1st Regt. US Reserve Corps, Cole County Mo, Home Guards and Capt. Co. G, 26th Missouri Infantry Regiment for sum of $25 per month, commencing on May 28, 1912.
May 17, 1913 Approval for pension increase of $30 commencing Feb. 13, 1913.  Birth noted as Feb. 13, 1838.
July 24, 1913 Reissue of Pension increase papers.  $30 to be paid commencing Feb. 13, 1913.
April 3, 1915 Pension record of births and children.  William H. Mengel born Feb. 13, 1838 in Kuhr Hessen, Germany.  Wife known as Lizzie Mengel.  Children listed:
Julia C. born Nov. 13, 1866, died Jan. 10, 1869
William T. born Feb. 3, 1868.
Charles E. born Mar. 6, 1870
Adelia S. born Jan. 31, 1872
George H. born May 3, 1874
Alberta F. born Oct. 31, 1879
Emma L. born Sep. 11, 1883
March 5, 1917 Declaration for Widow's Pension.  Elizabeth Mengel was Elizabeth Meyer, born March 12, 1843 near California, in Moniteau county, Missouri.  She was married in California, MO., to Wm. Mengel Dec. 24, 1865 by the Rev. G. Lehnigk.  William Mengel died Feb. 20, 1917, in California, Missouri.  Elizabeth signed and witnessed by Charles E Mengel (signed) and Emma L. Mengel (signed) both of California, Mo.
March 15, 1917 Statement by Notary Public, Jacob Hott, that he examined family Bible presented by Elizabeth Mengel showing her birth to be March 12, 1843.  Bible published by T. C. McCurdy Publishing Company, of Philadelphia, Cincinnati & Chicago.  Publication date unknown, but Bible "appears of an ancient date."
March 15, 1917 Affidavit of Dr. Lashley M Grey, attending physician of William Mengel during his  last sickness and attesting to the death date of Feb. 20, 1917.
March 15, 1917 Affidavit of Charles Wagner Jr., age 70, and James s. Roth, age 69, both of California, Missouri, attesting to the  married life together of William and Elizabeth Mengel.  Signed by both men.
June 27, 1917 Widow's Pension application approval for Elizabeth Mengel, wife and widow of Wm. Mengel, who died Feb. 20, 1917. Married Dec. 24, 1865.  Neither previously married, divorced or remarried.  Claim filed March 9, 1917, to receive $20 per month commencing March 9, 1917.
   

1870 U. S. Census, National Archives Microfilm M-593, Roll 793
Moniteau county, Walker twp., California P.O., enumerated on June 18, 1870.
page dw. fam. name age sex occ. birth. birth in year
450 77 81 Mengel Wm. A. 32 m grocer merchant Karl Hessen
  " Lizzie 27 f kp house MO
" William 2 m MO
" Infant 3/12 m MO Mar.

William owned real estate valued at $1500 and had personal property valued at $1000.

Sources:

  1. Muster Roll Officers and Company H & G, William H. Mengel, Missouri Secretary of State Office,  State Capitol, Room 208 and State Information Center, 600 W. Main, Jefferson City, Missouri.
  2. William H. Mengel, Civil War Veteran Pension, Certificate # 827,371, National Archives, Washington, DC., January, 2002.