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- We first knew about Herman J. Mehner because Paul Ernest Mehner (b 1910,d. 1983) sent us a family tree that lists Herman in 1973 We later learned a clue from what his brother Paul E. Mehner said in a1935 Application For Presidential Postmaster that 'from 1891 to 1901because of his father's health (Paul) bought a small farm in Tracyton(near Bremerton, WA) and worked this with his brothers' (notice theplural brothers--that must have included Albert and Herman) We notice that he is Not included in the will written by his parents KarlErnst Mehner and Therisa Otto just before they left for their trip toGermany in 1910. We know that Herman was alive in 1910 in (about age 35?) when his motherand father took a trip to Saxony, Germany (his mother passed away at age61, June 14, 1910 in Riesa, Saxony, Germany while visiting her brother,there) and Herman J. is mentioned as one of the three surviving sons inher newspaper obituary (Bremerton Sun?). His other brothers were CarlErnest Mehner and Albert Hugo Mehner. The big breakthrough came when Paul Dewar of Bremerton told us in Oct.,2000 that he found Herman listed in the Death Records for WashingtonState: 'died at age 73 in Pierce Co., WA on Sept 16, 1945.' When we received his death certificate from the State Department ofHealth, everything fit together!: Herman spent his last 40 years in thesate mental hospital (Western State Hospital, Steilacoom, WA). He diedSeptember 16, 1945 at the hospital He is listed as: Male, White, Single,age 73. (this would make his date of birth in 1873.) His birthplace islisted as Germany (Burkhardsdorf, Saxony, we would assume where hisbrother Karl Ernst was born.) His occupation, like his brother was'tailoring'. His city of residence was Bremerton. His medical record is fascinating: 'immediate cause of death, cerebral hemorrhage- - one month due to Paralysis Angitans -- ten years due to Dementia Praecox -- 40 years' So, it appears that he suffered severe mental illness as early as 1906. It appears that there was a mistake in the listing of his father, 'PaulMehner' is listed, but Paul would have been his brother! His realfather's birth name was Karl Ernst Mehner seemed to give his name inseveral different ways! -- (see 'More' notes about Karl Ernst Mehner) --the funeral home at the time of his death listed him as 'Ernest PaulMehner!' It is sad that in the 20th century mental illness was such a socialstigma. At our Mehner family reunion in Aug. 2000 no one had ever heardof Herman, the brother of 'The Professor' (Albert Hugo and 'The Mayor'(Paul Ernest). With the help of several in our family, we have traceddown the story of Herman Mehner who was largely alone in the WesternState Hospital in Steilacoom for 40 years! Welcome to our family tree,Herman! -- John and Nancy (Mehner) Ruhlman, November 2000
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Abt 1872 - 1945 (~ 73 years)
