[S-52-2]-William Abel/Captain 2 Wis. Inf./December 14, 1942 [age 84 yrs./cause: senility]

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WILLIAM ABEL, FORMER GUARD LEADER, DIES
(Captained National Guard When It Left Here For Spanish-American War)
Captain William Abel, 84, who commanded Company H, Wisconsin National Guard,
when the unit left Manitowoc for service in the Spanish-American war in 1898,
died early Monday evening at the home of his son, Walter Abel, of 850 North
Sixth street. Captain Abel, who has lived a retired life for many years, enjoyed
good health up to the time of his death. He made a trip down town late last week
to make holiday purchases and had not complained of feeling ill until a few
hours before his death. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. from
the Masonic Temple, under Masonic auspices. The Rev. C.H. Phipps of the First
Presbyterian church will officiate. Interment will be in Evergreen cemetery.
Captain Abel was born in Germany in 1857 and when a boy of 14 accompanied his
parents to Manitowoc. In 1880 he married Miss Ida Johnson of this city.
(An Early Guardsman)
When one of the first militia companies was organized in Manitowoc in the early
eighties, known as the Rankin Guards, he was a charter member. Eventually the
Rankin Guards became Company H, Second Regiment, Wisconsin National Guard and in
1886 Manitowoc was host to the annual encampment of the regiment, which was held
at the fair grounds. Abel rose through the ranks of non-commissioned officers
and was first lieutenant of the company when Captain William Brandt retired in
1893. Abel was then chosen captain. Then came the Spanish-American war in 1898.
In a few days Company H received orders to proceed to Milwaukee for mobilization
with other guard companies from Wisconsin cities. On May 12, 1898 the company
was mustered into the United States service and Captain Abel took the company to
Chickamauga, Tenn., for two months, then to Charleston, S.C., in July. Captain
Abel was stricken with typhoid fever just before the company embarked for Porto
Rico in August, and command of the company was taken over by the late Captain
Norman Knudson. Captain Abel recovered and returned to Manitowoc. Although he
retired from active military life after the war he continued his interest in the
militia company here. In civilian life he was a clerk for many years in the
Mendlik and Mulholland department stores.
(Honored at Celebration)
At the golden jubilee celebration of Company H in 1932, Captain Abel was one of
the honored guests. In addition to his Masonic affiliations he was a member of
Lawton Post,
Spanish-American War Veterans, and the First Presbyterian church. He is survived
by two sons, Walter Abel, a major in the first World war who is now head of the
Guard force at the Manitowoc Ship Building Company, Lieut. Cmdr. Edwin Abel,
stationed at Vallejo, Calif.; daughter, Mrs. Carson Hatfield of Park Falls,
Wis.; sister, Mrs. Frank Croll of this city; eight grandchildren and five
great-grandchildren; Mrs. Abel died four
years ago.
The body may be viewed at the Wattawa, Urbanek and Schlei funeral home, from
Wednesday at 4 p.m. until Thursday at 10 a.m. when it will be moved to the
Masonic Temple, to lie in state until the hour of services.
- Manitowoc Herald Times, Tuesday, December 15, 1942.