WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL - Sgt. Robert H. Maugel

 

Sergeant Robert Harold Maugel

Born in the Farmer area in Defiance County on February 22, 1919, Robert grew up with his parents, Donald W. and Esther D. (Cook) Maugel and his three siblings: Edwin Earl, Marvin D. and Doris Jane.

Robert graduated from Farmer High School in 1941 and went to work at the Handle Factory in Bryan, registering for the draft on June 30, 1942. He enlisted into the Army on February 18, 1943, at Toledo. 

He trained at Camp Perry; Camp Swift, Texas; Shreveport, Louisiana; and San Luis Obispo in California. He took a furlough back home to marry Kuba Karnes from Edgerton on June 26, 1944.

The Edgerton Earth, June 29, 1944

In August, 1944, Kuba Maugel traveled to California with her friend, Miss Rosemary Cape, to visit her husband who was then at San Luis Obispo. 

Robert, who was promoted to Sergeant posthumously, was a part of the 60th Infantry Regiment of the 9th Infantry Division, "Old Reliable."  In early December, he wrote home to his parents that he was on the battlefield for five days and when writing, had been sent back for a five-day rest. They were in Camp Elsenborn, Belgium, from November 14, 1944, as a place for training in the forest and rough terrain, along with road marches for conditioning. The unit was getting ready to pave the way into Germany.

"The training got them into the right spirit. Early December, the feeling of the 2nd Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment was fresh, rested, over-strength and high in morale."

The 60th Infantry Regiment was marched through Belgium with the intent to penetrate the German border. They were involved in the Battle of Hurtgen Forest, a battle that saw the loss of 55,000 total American casualties, as compared to 28,000 German.

The Hurtgenwald was a rough, wooded and hilly terrain; it was difficult to get supplies in and the use of vehicles was restricted because of the narrow, muddy roads. The Germans had the forest ready with many defensive measures - mines, pillboxes, traps and bunkers. The Americans called it the "Green Hell" or "The Death Machine." Cold, rain, snow, along with frostbite, trenchfoot, and bodies everywhere created an unbelievable environment for our soldiers.

The heat of the battle was December 10-12, 1944, right before the Battle of the Bulge which started Dec. 16. Our American commanders decided to send in one army division at a time, which ate up U.S. soldiers quickly. It was criticized as an unwise approach that cost us many men. Sgt. Maugel was in the midst of this when he was hit by a machine gun bullet in the thorax. His hospital admission record stated that he was brought to the hospital with this wound where he died.

First Robert was listed as Missing in Action near Dickrich, Luxembourg, but later he was confirmed as Killed in Action in Belgium. In the January 10, 1945, Crescent-News:

"ROBERT MAUGEL FALLS IN BATTLE

Farmer Township Corporal 54th Victim of War from County

Farmer, Jan. 10 - Corp. Robert H. Maugel, son of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Maugel, has been killed in battle in Belgium, according to word received by his parents, two miles northwest of Farmer.

Corp Maugel, the 54th war victim from Defiance county, previously had been listed as missing in action. No details of his death were contained in the War Department telegram.

Corp. Maugel was employed in Bryan at the time of his induction and was sent to service through the Bryan draft board. He had been overseas for several months.

He leaves his wife, the former Kuba Karnes of Edgerton; his parents; two brothers, Edwin in the Navy somewhere in the Pacific, and Marvin, at home; a sister, June, at home and a grandmother, Mrs. Laura Maugel, Farmer.

Memorial services are to be held from St. Patrick Catholic church in Edgerton, Thursday morning."

Sergeant Robert Maugel was interred in Henri-Chappelle, Arrondisement de Verners, Liege, Belgium.  A memorial marker was also placed in Farmer Cemetery.

Farmer Cemetery

Dan Hasch, Researcher

Sidenote:  His brother, Ed Maugel, was serving on the USS Haynesworth in the Pacific.

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

Alexander E. Maugel - Civil War Soldier Buried in Farmer Cemetery

Member of the Farmer Post, G.A.R.

Pennsylvania born, Alexander Ely Maugel settled in Defiance County by 1858, one source noted, but he and his family could not be located in the 1860 census.

On the 1890 census, he reported that he first enlisted in Company K, 86th Ohio Infantry for a three month term.  He served from May 27, 1862 - September 21, 1862.  After a short leave, it would appear that he reenlisted in Company F, 14th Ohio Infantry, where he served from January 1863 - July 5, 1865.  No pension record could be found for Alex.

In 1869, he married Laura LaCost, the daughter of Ed and Marian, who were residents of Milford Township.  It was in Milford Township that Alex and Laura settled to farm and raise their son, Roy, born in 1874.  At least one child, Josephus, had died in December 1873.

Alex Maugel lived only until the age of 49, dying on June 14, 1891. Several brief obituaries appeared in the newspapers, this one from the Bryan Democrat on June 25, 1891:

"Alex Maugel, of Farmr, formerly of Milford, died June 14th and was buried Sunday in the Farmer cemetery.  He was a member of the G.A.R. and was buried by the order.  Rev. Jacobs preached the sermon.  Deceased was about 50 years old."

From an unidentified newspaper clipping:

"DEATH OF ALEX. E. MAUGLE.

Alex. E. Maugle was born August 28, 1841, and died at his home near Farmer, June 14, 1891, aged 49 years, 9 months and 22 days.  Mr. Maugle moved from Pennsylvania in 1858, and had lived in this county 26 years.  He was an honest, industrious man, a loving husband, an affectionate parent and a good neighbor.  He served his country through the whole of the late war and was a brave and gallant soldier.  His funeral was attended by a large circle of friends and neighbors, Revs. Jacobs and Crary officiating.  The G.A.R. conducted the burial service."

Laura LaCost Maugel lived more than forty years more and did not remarry. Her son, Roy, preceded her in death. In 1931, she celebrated her nintieth birthday and the community helped her celebrate:

Defiance Crescent-News - September 28, 1931

In October, 1932, the Crescent-News interviewed her about her long life and experiences.  That account may be read on Dave's History Corner.
Laura LaCost Maugel died in 1937 and is buried with her husband.