KAPPENMANN, MESSNER

Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Sunday, September 09, 2007 at 07:30:35 :

The Marin Journal
Thursday, June 17, 1920
Page 1

Young Man’s Death Loss To San Rafael

In the sudden death Tuesday morning of Joseph A. Kappenmann, San Rafael lost a young man who can be ill spared from the community.

It is believed that death was caused by ptomaine poisoning, the result of eating canned lobster.

Seized with sudden illness early Tuesday morning, the deceased suffered from extreme pain and dizziness until about 10 o’clock, when he went to the home of his mother on Fourth and C streets to rest. At the time he was directing the work on eight building contracts, which he had under way. Remarking only that he did not feel well, he lay on the bed, refusing to let his mother or his brother, Robert Kappenmann, call a physician.

At noon the mother went to her son’s room to call him, but believing to be asleep, did not awaken him. Hearing nothing from him for another hour, she went to his room again, and then found that he had passed away. It is probably that life was extinct when she first visited the room.

Born in San Rafael 35 years ago, Joseph Kappenmann had received prominence as a contractor and builder. He merited and received high respect from all his acquaintances as a business man, a director of men and an efficient and conscientious mechanic.

He was the son of Mrs. Margaret Kappenmann and the late Joseph Kappenmann, pioneers in San Rafael and intimately associated for many years with the business and social life of the community.

He leaves to mourn his untimely passing his widow, Mrs. Elizabeth Kappenmann and three little children, Gwendolyn, Marin and Joseph A. Kappenmann Jr., his sorrowing mother, three brothers, Charles, Robert and Emil Kappenmann, and a sister, Mrs. R. E. Messner.

He was a member of Marin Lodge, No. 200 I.O.O.F., and of San Rafael Lodge of Elks, No. 1108, under whose direction the services will take place at the Elks Lodge Friday morning at 11 o’clock. Arrangements for the funeral are being made by the F. E. Sawyer Company.