Charles W. Machemehl (1922-2005) was a notable German Texan civic leader, rancher, businessman, and oilman. Machemehl was born into the German Texan community of Bellville, Texas, and raised in the L. A. and Adelheid Machemehl House.
Machemehl was a member of the Texas A&M class of 1944 that was transferred to Army Officer Candidate School in 1943 during World War II. Machemehl received several medals for gallantry in combat including two Bronze Stars and a Silver Star. At the end of the war he had attained the rank of captain and was a member of the staff of General Matthew B. Ridgeway, 1st Allied Airborne Army. Machemehl then became the manager of the Johnson Hereford Ranch in Folsom, New Mexico where, in 1951, the ranch won grand champion steer at the American Royal. Later in his life he became a noted Texas oilman. In 1972, Machemehl made headlines through the Associated Press, which reported on his bid to buy out his son's baseball contract.
Aside from being a rancher and businessman, Machemehl was also a Texas civic leader. Machemehl served on the boards of the Soil Conservation Service, the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association.
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