According to family tradition, my great-great grandfather, William A. Mollenhour, served in the Civil War. He lived near Sevastopol, Franklin Township, Kosciusko County, Indiana.
The Northern Indianian newspaper (Warsaw) reports that he was drafted October 9, 1862 and was apparently assigned to the 30th Indiana Infantry.
Family tradition states that he came home for the birth of his 8th son, Hiram Augustus Mollenhour (my great-grandfather), who was born March 23, 1865. He had contracted dysentery, or "camp fever," and died October 2, 1865. I have not found an obituary.
I cannot find anything on him except the Northern Indianian reference to his draft. Can anyone answer my questions as follows:
1. Could he have been considered a deserter if he was so ill that he was unable to return to service and subsequently died? Are there references to deserters?
2. Could he have been court-marshalled because of his absence? References?
3. His widow should have received benefits for the 8 sons (ranging from infancy to 14 years of age) and a pension for herself. I have checked several sources and found nothing. If he was considered a deserter, benefits may not have been available.
4. A possible hurdle could be variations in the spelling of his name. The spelling above is traditional, is the spelling in the Northern Indianian, his marriage record, and is the spelling on his tombstone.
Possible variations could include: Mullenhour, Mullenhauer, Mullenhaur, Mullenhower, Mollenhower.
I would be most appreciative for any help you may provide.
Thank you.
John Martin Smith
P.O. Box 686
Auburn, Indiana 46706
Telephone: 260-925-4560 (office)
260-925-5714 (home)
email: inmemories@mchsi.com