Laura LaCost Maugel, Revered Citizen of Farmer, Ohio

 

Laura Maugel was an "influencer" in Farmer Township, Defiance County, before the word was ever known.

Not only were she and her husband pioneers in the township, but after his early death, she continued to be active in her community and loved by many.

Born in 1841 and married to Alexander Ely Maugel in 1869, the couple established an 80 acre farm in Section 8 of Farmer Township.  It was located about 2 miles northwest of Farmer Center. 

When she died at the age of 96 on March 5, 1937, Madge Cunningham, President of the Lew Bowker chapter of the Women's Relief Corp wrote a tribute to her.  Laura was a charter member of the then diminishing group who served as the auxillary for the Grand Army of the Republic.

Mrs. Cunningham wrote:

"TRIBUTE TO AN OLD FRIEND

Mrs. Laura V. Maugel was a charter member of the Lew Bowker Women's Relief Corps, organized in January 1891, and its first president.  Since that she has filled the offices of secretary, treasurer and chaplain, the last being her position at the time of her demise on March 4, at the fine old age of 95 years and six months.  The last meeting she attended was at the home of Mrs. Alice Wilder in October, 1934, when the Corps was inspected by Mrs. Ida Fee of HIcksville and a fine visit was had with her.

Her tales of pioneer days in Farmer Township were filled with interest, as she was born in a log cabin on the farm where she ended her days and had resided ever since, except 15 years after her marriage to Alexander Maugel in November 1869.

Mr. Maugel had fought throughout the Civil War, and it left him with an ailment from which he never recovered and from which he died in 1894, after which Mrs. Maugel remained with her son, Roy, on the home farm to which they had returned some time before.

This old lady was a believer in all things good, having been reared in the Universalist faith, and always held to that belief, although she attended all churches when able to do so. She was active in the Corps and social affairs, a fine neighbor, a loyal friend, and 'Aunt Loll' to many families.

There having been about six families to settle this township in the beginning, of course, they intermarried and descendants were related to all in some manner. She always enjoyed family gatherings and soldiers' reunions, conventions of her beloved Relief Corps, and until the past two years, the latter order met with her at her home or in some other member's home to celebrate her birthday on September 24, which she enjoyed so much, and was always pleased to see her friends up to the last days. Her place can never be filled and her death means that of old Lew Bowker corps, as well, as it leaves but five members and no meetings are held.

Her first schooling was in a log school house, standing where the cemetery grounds now occupy several acres, and she crossed the woods to get there. Once while taking water to her father out in the woods, she met a large animal which she thought to be a 'big doggie' but on description, her father concluded it had been a wolf, so he allowed no more water carrying by her without her brothers along.

She always considered her life to have been a happy one, saddened only when her friends or members of her family were taken by death, and has often said that she never knew any hard times, as there was always plenty to eat, warm clothes and firewood.

She was born one year after her family came here from New York, so never knew any other life and hers grew better as the years moved on. She kept young with her grandchildren and her four great-grandchildren and was as happy over the advent of the fifth as the other grandparents and the mother and father.

Her greatest sorrow was the loss of a granddaughter in her early teens, a shock from which she never recovered, until a great-granddaughter, bearing the same name came to take her place.

There is nothing more to add than that we will miss her."

**Roy had a daughter, Doris, who died in 1915 at about 14.

The Bryan Press reported on her 90th birthday

party on October 1, 1931, on page 1:

"MRS. LAURA MAUGEL'S 90TH BIRTHDAY NOTED AT 

HOME OF GRANDSON

Mrs. Laura V. Maugel's 90th birthday was observed Wednesday when old friends and neighbors met at the home of her only grandson, Donald Maugel, near Edgerton in her honor.

Daughter of Edward and Laura Hopkins, she was born on the farm where she has lived since, excepting 15 years of her early married life when she lived near Logan.  She was married to Alexander Maugel in 1869, her uncle, Charles Barney, justice of the peace performing the ceremony.  One daughter died early in life and their son, Roy, lives with her at her farm northwest of Farmer.  Mr Maugel died in 1891.

Mrs. Maugel was a charter member of Lew Bowker W.R.C. and its first president when organized in January 1891.  Her husband's death left her with a son about 16 to run the farm.  She has been in excellent health until the past six months, and her mind is as clear as a bell, and not only does she tell of old times, but keeps up her interest in the present.  It's a pleasure to talk with her on any line of interest.  She has been and still is a great reader of good books and takes a broad view of all matters, religiously or politically.

Among the guests present were her cousin, Celestio Maxwell of Chicago Mr and Mrs. Emory Potts, cousins of Edgerton, Mrs. Susan Crossland, Mrs. Hattie Rogers of Edgerton, and Mrs. Ida Rice of Bryan, Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Tomlinson, Mrs. Effie Roan, Della Conkey, Mrs. Ella Hastings, Mr. and Mrs. V. E. Cunningham, Mrs. Roy Maugel, Mrs. Donald Maugel and children.

The Corps will hold a meeting in a short time with an invalid member, Mrs. Ruth Lloyd.  A potluck dinner will be served at noon and at which Mrs. Maugel confidently expects to attend."

Laura Volera LaCost Maugel

d. 5 March 1937

Farmer Cemetery