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Below is a family biography included in the Biographical Review Volume of Biographical Sketches of The Leading Citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts published by Biographical Review Publishing Company in 1896.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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AUGUST K. KAPPEL, well-known as a singing master in South Hadley Falls, was born in Saxe-Weimar, Germany, August 19, 1838, son of George and Gretchen (Rosina) Kappel. Mr. Kappel’s father followed agriculture, and was the proprietor of a hotel. He prospered in both undertakings, and died in 1858. His wife, who is still residing in Germany, eighty-four years old, became the mother of the following children: Christiana, who is now dead; Joanna, who resides in Germany; Gottlob, a resident of Meriden, Conn.; John, a resident of Easthampton; August, the subject of this sketch;Ernestine, who still resides in Germany; Minnie, who is dead; Linna, who married August Feustel, and resides in South Hadley Falls; and Richard, who is now in the hotel business in Germany.

August K. Kappel received a good education in the schools of Germany, and at the age of seventeen emigrated to the United States. He settled in South Hadley Falls, and engaged in the paper business, which he followed successfully until 1892. Immediately after his arrival in South Hadley Falls, Mr. Kappel organized the singing clubs, over which he has since continued to preside. He also directs a similar organization in Holyoke. In May of the present year he established himself in the wine and liquor trade in South Hadley Falls, which he is now conducting. He is a Democrat in politics.

Mr. Kappel married Amelia Winter, a native of Saxe-Weimar, daughter of Edward and Ernestine Winter. They have four children, namely: Hugo, a book-binder in Holyoke; Oscar, who is employed at Johnson’s drug store as a pharmacist; Selmar, who is now teaching school in South Hadley Falls; and Minnie, who resides at home. Mr. Kappel takes a lively interest in musical organizations, and is very popular among the various singing clubs.

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This family biography is one of the numerous biographies included in the Biographical Review Volume of Biographical Sketches of The Leading Citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts published in 1896. 

View additional Hampshire County, Massachusetts family biographies here: Hampshire County, Massachusetts Biographies

View a map of 1901 Hampshire County, Massachusetts here: Hampshire County Massachusetts Map

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