George Mollencup - G.A.R., Bishop Post

George Mollencup, a native of Lucas County, settled in Defiance after the Civil War.  He was only 18 when he enlisted in Company F of the 9th Regiment Ohio Cavalry on November/December 1865.
This company had formed in 1863, but George had to wait until he was old enough to join in.

This enlistment date put him into the middle of the Siege of Savannah which lasted from December 10 - 21.  Then the cavalry served in the Campaign of the Carolinas where they served until the end of the war, mustering out on July 20, 1865 in Lexington, North Carolina.

When he reported for the 1890 veterans' census, he said he had served 1 year, 5 months and 5 days, so perhaps he began in a different regiment, but that information could not be found. George reported no disabilities related to his war service.

The various spellings of Mollencup (Mollencop, Mollenkopz, etc.) and the fact that another man named George Mollencup existed, at least in Monclova, Ohio, made it difficult to follow our George in the census.  It is known that George worked at the Turnbull Wagon Factory after he moved to Defiance.  He was very active in the G.A.R. and held offices there.

The Defiance Daily Republic reported on September 10, 1896:
"George Mollencup, of Ottawa Avenue, has in his possession a relic which he values very highly.  It is one of the first Republican tickets ever cast in the United States, and was for Lincoln and Hamlin, dated 1860.  It is from the state of Virginia and Mr. Mollencup got it in 1865, as he was on his way to Washington after the war."

George Mollencup, however, was a troubled man, although he seemed to hide it well from family and friends.  Born in 1847, he died in 1896, of suicide just before Christmas.  The reports of his death fill in some of the blanks of his past life.

The Defiance Express reported on page 19 of the December 24, 1896 issue:

TERRIBLE TRAGEDY

George Mollencup of East Defiance Commits Suicide.

No Cause Given for His Death.

The Action Undoubtedly a Premeditated One.

The Body Discovered by W. D. Bridenbaugh While on the Way to Work -

Such Particulars as Could be Ascertained Given in Full.

This morning the city was startled by the news that George Mollencup, who resided on Ottawa Avenue, East Defiance, had committed suicide.  The tragedy occurred this morning at about seven o'clock and there is no cause assigned to the terrible deed.

It was the custom of Mr. Mollencup to arise in the morning, make the fire, and get the breakfast started before the other members of the family arose.  This morning he got up as usual to start the fire.  Instead he started down the street.  When he reached East Second Street, he turned and walked towards the ravine.  Near the school building, he was met by William Jones to whom he gave his usual cheery salutation saying in answer to Mr. Jones' question that 'he was just going for a walk.'  He went on until four or five rods east of the ravine, quite near the residence of John F. Frost.  There he stopped and, drawing a revolver, shot himself through the right temple.

He was found shortly afterward by W. H. Bridenbaugh who was going to work.  The news quickly spread and in a few minutes, quite a crowd had assembled at the spot.  When found, Mr. Mollencup was still alive but unconscious.  The coroner was immediately summoned and the suffering man was at once taken to Marin's Undertaking establishment where he died about an hour after being found.  During that time, he never regained consciousness and the only movement he made was to relax the grip on the revolver still clutched in his hand.

The awful news was carried to the members of the addicted family by their pastor, Rev. Pilgrim.  They were prostrated with grief and horror and would not assign any causes for the rash deed.

George W. Mollencup was born in Monclova, Lucas County and was aged about 49 years.  He came to Defiance in 1876 and has since resided here.  He was the father of three children, two of whom, Harley and Pearl, with his wife, survive him.

He was a member of the National Union of the Union Veterans United and the Turnbull Aid Society.  He earned an insurance of $5000 in the National Union and the family will also receive about $100 from the Turnbull Aid Society.  No arrangement has as yet been made for the funeral, but the remains will probably be taken to Monclova where other members of the dead man's family are interred.

The news of the suicide came as a surprise and shock to the friends and acquaintances of the deceased, as he seemed to be of an unusually cheery and optimistic temperament  and never seemed in the least despondent even when things seemed darkest.  

Mr. Mollencup was on the streets last night with his daughter and seemed in excellent spirits, laughing and joking with those he met, has always been his wont.  Frank Holly met him this morning and he seemed to be in his usual good health.  William Jones, who last saw him alive said that he was unusually cheery and stated to him he was taking his usual morning walk.  The family says there was not a single thing in his actions at any time that would indicate that he contemplated such a terrible deed.  He complained some of his head hurting him Wednesday night, but nothing more was thought of that.

The letter found on his person was addressed to his family and was couched in words of endearment and begged forgiveness for what he was about to do.  He stated that he had the grip and was taking quinine and was dependent.*  He also said that financial matters depressed him.  He also stated that O. A. Frick of the Turnbull Wagon Company had treated him unkindly and cut his wages and in fact, driven him to suicide.  This letter was dated December (November?) 30, 1896.  Coroner McCoy refused to given the letter to the press today and consequently, the full text cannot be given to the public.

(* The grippe (grip) is the same an influenza.  Quinine is an anti-malarial drug, not thought to be addicting.)

Mr. C. F. Ferguson of the Turnbull Wagon Company was seen this afternoon and said that Mr. Frick has always been pleasant and Mr. Mollencup, who had been doing bending work by contract, had been making more money that when working by the day.  He also said that Mr. Mollencup had not been discharged and that his department would have been opened as usual next Tuesday.  This statement would indicate that there was something wrong with Mollencup when he wrote his letter...

The deceased was a member of the UVU.  He was a member of the G.A.R..  He was a member of the 9th Ohio Cavalry with George D. Killey, W. A. Kehnast and Christ Garver.  His death was a very sad affair. The remains will be taken to Monclova Saturday morning for interment, Rev. C. E. Pilgrim will officiate.

  

Defiance Express, January 7, 1897

Riverside Cemetery.  His death actually occurred in 1896.

George Mollencup's wife, Cora, died in 1928.  Her obituary appeared in the Defiance Crescent-News on March 14, 1928.

(This is part of a series on Civil War veterans of Defiance County who were part of the G.A.R., Bishop Post, that headquartered in the city.  Formed in 1879, the post was named after a local man, Captain William Bishop, Company D, 100th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Army who died as a result of wounds received in battle.  The veterans' photos are part of a composite photo of members that has survived.  If you have other information or corrections to add to the soldiers' stories, please add to the comments!)