My Genealogy Hound

W. H. Mengel, lumberman of California, Mo., was born near Hesse Cassel, Germany, on the 13th of February, 1838, his parents being John and Cathrine (Sennen) Mengel, who were fair-to-do farmers in their native land. In 1847 they sailed to America, taking passage at Bremen on the sailing vessel “Gustave,” and at the end of ten weeks landed at Baltimore, Md., and came directly to Missouri, making the most of the journey in the winter time by wagon, as there were no railroads, except from Baltimore to Cumberland, at that time. The father was engaged in gardening in St. Louis, and continued to follow this occupation until his death in 1850, at the age of fifty years. His widow afterward married and lived in St. Louis County until 1854, when she and husband removed to near Marion, Cole Co., Mo., near where she still resides. From her first union she has the following children living: William H., Elizabeth, wife of G. H. Rosemiller, and Michael. She has one child living by her second husband, Lesetta, wife of C. F. Rosemiller. William H. Mengel, our subject, received his early education in the schools of St. Louis and St. Louis County; in 1854 removing with his mother to near Marion, Cole County, where he was engaged in farming and milling with his stepfather, and in 1859, after the death of his stepfather, came to California and clerked in the store of H. C. Finke until the Rebellion broke out, when he enlisted in Company G, Col. Richardson’s Regiment, Cole County Home Guards, as first sergeant, and was promoted to a second lieutenancy, and while serving in this capacity was guide for various regiments—Mulligan’s Brigade and Marshall’s First Illinois Cavalry— to Lexington, and was finally sent in command of twenty men as guard for a steamboat loaded with provisions for the troops at Lexington, and in said battle was wounded and captured with Mulligan. The wound was a gunshot in the left breast. He was finally exchanged, and re-enlisted in Company G, Twenty-sixth Regiment Missouri Infantry, and was made orderly-sergeant, then second lieutenant, then first lieutenant, and finally became captain of Company H of the same regiment, which position he filled until the expiration of his service. He was in the following engagements: Siege and battle of New Madrid and Island No. 10, Mo., March and April, 1862; the capture of 5,000 prisoners at Tiptonville, Ky.; siege of Corinth, Miss.; battle of Iuka, Miss., September 19, 1862; siege of Corinth, October 3 and 4, 1862; the Yazoo Pass expedition in 1863; the campaign around Vicksburg; battle of Port Gibson, May 1, 2 and 3, 1863; Raymond, May 19, 1863; Jackson, Miss., May 14, 1863; Champion’s Hill, May 10, 1863; assault of Vicksburg; battle of Missionary Ridge, November 25, 1863; Atlanta, Ga., and siege of Savannah. His term of service expired on the 9th of January, 1865. He holds all his commissions of promotion, and filled his official positions with honor to himself and company. He participated in nearly all the bloodiest combats, and has stood fire many times. During his entire service he was always on duty with the exception of one week, when he was ill. He received his discharge at Savannah, Ga., and returned to Missouri, and resided one year in Washington, Mo., then came back to California, and in 1868 engaged in the mercantile business with G. A. Burkhardt, the firm being known as William H. Mengel & Co. until 1881, when Mr. Mengel sold his interest and engaged in lumbering, which he has conducted very successfully. He keeps all sorts of building material, as well as lime, cement and plaster. He belongs to the A. O. U. W., the I. O. O. F. and the G. A. R. December 25, 1865, he was married to Miss Lizzie Meyer, a native of Moniteau County, Mo., by whom he has six children: William T., Charles E., Adalia S., George H, Albert F. and Emma L. Mr. and Mrs. Mengel are members of the German Evangelical Church.