Friedmeyer's California Construction Supplies (Est. 1879)

Moniteau County, Missouri

Friedmeyer's California Construction Supplies

(Est. 1879 as Mengel's Lumberyard)

From a California Democrat article of unknown date by Grant Chapman:

Lumber Business began with Mengels

When lumberyards in California are mentioned, the names most likely to come up are Friedmeyer's, Proctor's or C. J. Harris. One name probably less frequently mentioned but which was forerunner to the Harris yard is Mengel.

W. H. Mengel was in business in California for 50 years, 37 of which was spent in the lumber business. Mengel's lumberyard stood northwest of the courthouse where Friedmeyer's yard formerly stood and in back of the present jail and law offices.

The lumberyard of W. H. Mengel was devastated by a fire Sept. 21, 1901. According to newspaper accounts of the time, "very little was saved." Damage estimated at $14,000. The yard was rebuilt, however, and Mengel remained in business until 1916 when he sold out to Harris, who in turn sole to Friedmeyers in 1967.

William H. Mengel was born Feb. 13, 1838, near Hesse Cassel, Germany, one of three children of John and Cathrine Sennen Mengel. The Mengel family emigrated to America in 1847. In 1859 Mengel was in California where, with the exception of military service, he spent the remainder of his life.

Mengel's brother, Michael, settled in Jefferson City, and his sister, Elizabeth, married G. H. Rosenmiller of Jamestown. A half-sister, Lesetta, married C. F. Rosenmiller of Sandy Hoodk.

Before coming to California, Mengel farmed for five years, 1854-1859, near Marion. Upon arrival in California, he clerked in the store of H. C. Finke until the Civil War broke out.

When the war broke out, Mengel enlisted in the Cole County Home Guards as a first sergeant. He was soon promoted to second lieutenant and was sent into the command of 20 men. According to the Goodspeed history, this was during the battle of Lexington.

While engaged in the battle of Lexington, Mengel was wounded when he took a gunshot in the chest. He was captured along with others and after a time was released, in Company G, 26th Missouri Infantry Regiment.

Mengel was promoted several times, finally to Captain, a rank he held until the expiration of his service on Jan. 9, 1865.

During the war, Mengel was involved in many of the conflict's major battles including Corinth, Vicksburg, Missionary Ridge and Savannah.

Mengel returned to California after the war, where he married Lizzie Meyer on Christmas Day, 1865. He served as city assessor from 1866-1868, later serving on the city council from 1883-1884. He opened a mercantile in partnership with G. A. Burkhardt in 1868, known as W. H. Mengel and Co. The business association lasted until Mengel opened his lumberyard in 1881.

Six children were born to Mengel and his wife. The oldest, William Tecumseh, went to Illinois to learn watch making and the jewelry business. He later returned to California where he established a jewelry repair store in the Roth City Drug store. The junior Mengel remained in the Roth store until 1930 when he moved to Buchanan's drugstore.

Charles Mengel, the second son, was born in 1870 and died in 1937. He worked for a time as a clerk in the drugstore of A. F. Snow and later was in business with his brother-in-law E. R. Russell. In his obituary it stated that the Mengel brick home on Main Street was built when Charles was young.

The other children of William and Lizzie Mengel were Adalia (Mrs. E. R. Russell), who moved to Dallas; George H. who was associated with his father's company; Albert F. of St. Louis; Emma who never married and lived in the Mengel home; and one child died in infancy.

The Mengels were charter members of the Evangelical Church and took an active interest when the church celebrated its 50th anniversary on May 28, 1916. Mengel died just about nine months later, on Feb. 22, 1917.

Mengel was well known in California and his obituary attested to his character: "Capt. Mengel was highly esteemed by our people at large -- endeavoring at all times to faithfully perform all of the duties of good citizenship, honorable and just in all of his dealings, cheerful and happy in disposition contributing at all time apparently to make others happy around him."

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From the 2000 History of Moniteau County:

This California, Missouri, business was originally located at 605 North High Street and known as Mengel's Lumberyard for 37 years. It covered what is now the 911 location and the vacant lot to the east; northwest of the Courthouse.

"The lumberyard of W. H. Mengel was devastated by a fire September 21, 1901. According to newspaper accounts, 'very little was saved.' Damage was estimated at $14,000. The yard was rebuilt, and Mengel remained in business until 1916, when he sold out to C. J. Harris."

George J. Friedmeyer became manager at this time. He had started out in the 1890's working in a lumberyard in Bunceton. After moving to Jefferson City for a while, George took over management of the C. J. Harris Lumberyard (begun in 1888) at Pilot Grove. The story goes that Pilot Grove had only two years of high school at the time and George wanted more for his children. Hence the move to California, Mo.

Arthur M. Friedmeyer worked for the company and subsequently took over the management of C. J. Harris Lumber Company in 1932 from his father, George.

Arthur managed the C. J. Harris Lumber Co. until it was sold to Steward Lumber Co., who intended to close the business here in California. When this reality struck home, Arthur and his wife Irene purchased the yard December 21, 1966. It was at this time the name was changed to Friedmeyer's California Construction Supplies.

In 1969 Arthur Norman Friedmeyer left his position with the Army Aviation Systems Command in St. Louis and joined his parents in the business in downtown California. He remained with California Construction Supplies until 1977, when he and his family moved to Ft. Wayne, Ind., to study at the Seminary there to become pastor in the Lutheran Church.

In 1977, Earl left a position as Program Analyst in Kansas City and moved with his family to California and joined the business.

On October 7, 1979, a fire destroyed the family business, burning it to the ground, and destroying or severely damaging every building to the south on the same block.

In April, 1982, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Friedmeyer and Mr. and Mrs. Earl Friedmeyer had a Grand Opening of the new California Construction Supplies building on Highway 50 West.

Arthur was active in the business until his death in July, 1991, and Irene continued to be involved until a few months before her death in September, 1999.

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