Born in Savageville, Virginia, Stengle attended the public schools.

He then moved to Virginia, working in the newspaper business in Norfolk and Fredericksburgh.

He was appointed by President Coolidge in 1925 as a lieutenant colonel, Specialist Reserves, attached to The Adjutant General's Office.

Legislative representative of the American Federation of Government Employees from 1934 until his retirement in August 1953.

This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress