Adolph Mehler

Adolph’s native land was Prussia, a powerful monarchy in north central Europe that united with other states in 1871 to form the German Empire. One source says he was a cavalry officer in the First Schleswig War (1848-1852) when Prussia lost territory to Denmark. 

He must have come to Philadelphia shortly thereafter, since the next major event in his life was his wedding. He married a New Jersey girl, Hanna Maria Zimmerman in 1854 in a German Lutheran church. They welcomed three daughters over the next four years. Their father established himself as the proprietor of a hotel and tavern that no doubt featured the food and drink of his homeland.

He may have hired someone to run things so he could answer the call for volunteers when the Civil War began. Adolph joined  the 21st Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment on April 29, 1861. After learning of his experience, he was given the rank of major by the man who organized and recruited the regiment, Colonel John Ballier. Most of the men were of German ethnicity, likely from the same German neighborhoods in Philadelphia.

The initial term of service was only for three months, but many of them reenlisted in August when Colonel Ballier reorganized the regiment as the 98th Pennsylvania Infantry. Adolph’s proven leadership skills earned him the rank of lieutenant colonel. The regiment’s initial duties centered around training, drilling, and marching in various locations in eastern Virginia. The first engagement where loss of life occurred was at Williamsburg on May 5, 1862 and then again at Fair Oaks in June.

As they were marching west from Alexandria in late August they were surprised to see so many outfits moving east. They discovered that those troops were retreating in defeat from the Battle of Bull Run. Eventually the 98th went on into Maryland but were held in reserve during the Battle of Antietam, then returned to positions in Virginia in the fall of 1862. 

On November 26, Colonel Ballier was dismissed and Adolph was promoted to colonel. He commanded his regiment amid heavy losses at Fredericksburg. Then in January of 1863 there was the “Mud March,” a failed attempt to take Richmond, partly because of dissension among generals and partly due to severe winter weather.

A few weeks later, Adolph’s military career was abruptly terminated. The unit’s Muster Out Roll shows he was “dismissed by Special Order #117, War Department, March 12, 1863.” That same day, former Colonel John Ballier was reinstated by Special Order #187. No other explanation was given, leaving only speculation about misconduct or differences of opinion. Adolph’s tenure as colonel lasted less than four months.

The innkeeper returned to the hospitality business, but their fourth daughter, born that year, didn’t survive the birth.  In 1864 Adolph used his earnings from the hotel to open a retail liquor store in Atlantic City. Their fifth child, another daughter, was born in 1868.

He saw the greater potential in running a seaside hotel, so he sold his property in Philadelphia and by 1870 the family was living at and operating the Forrest House on the corner of Atlantic and North Carolina Avenues. He died the following year in Philadelphia from fluid in the lungs.

His wife and at least one daughter are buried with him.