KAPPENMANN, MESSNER

Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Friday, August 28, 2009 at 05:57:01 :

Marin Journal
Thursday, July 29, 1915
Page 1

San Rafael Loses Pioneer Merchant

Joseph Kappenmann, one of San Rafael’s pioneer businessmen, who cast his lot with the fortunes of this community nearly forty years ago, passed away last Monday at Hund’s Sanitarium following an operation for cancer.

When San Rafael was little more than a hamlet, “Joe” Kappenmann, as he always has been known by his multitude of friends, came here from Germany and engaged in business. Early in his career here he opened the Germania Billiard and Pool hall in connection with a bar. He conducted that for some time and then engaged in the manufacture of soda water, disposing of his other business to his brother. Later he opened the place above which he had lived for many years and managed it personally until a short time before his death. Few men in San Rafael had more friends than “Joe” Kappenmann, and none there are who can with truth say aught against him, as a father, husband, citizen or businessman.

The deceased had always taken a vital interest in the affairs of the town. In the early days he was a mainstay of the volunteer fire department, of which organization he was an officer for many years. He was well known among the Germans of San Rafael and San Francisco.

The funeral service will be held this afternoon at 2:30 at St. Matthew’s church on Fifth avenue. The remains will be buried at Mt. Tamalpais cemetery under the direction of Dr. F. W. Sawyer.

The deceased was the husband of Margaret Kappenmann and the father of Joseph A., Charles J., Robert and Emil B. Kappenmann, and Regina C. Messner. He was 63 years old.