Clemens Klippel, M. D., one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Hutchinson, was born in St. Joseph, Mo., Oct. 3, 1852, a son of Philip and Margaret Klippel, who were both born and reared in Germany. They emigrated from the Fatherland and located at St. Joseph in the early '40s, when it was a small village. The father served in the Mexican war and in 1854 took up a claim in Doniphan county, being one of the first white settlers in that locality. He engaged in agricultural pursuits in the northeast part of the county, near Columbus. During the stirring years of border warfare he took an active part with the free-state men, and was one of that brave band who struggled so hard that Kansas might be admitted to the Union free from slavery. In 1860 he moved to a farm near Troy, Doniphan county, where he continued to reside until 1895, when he went to the State of Oregon, and subsequently to Idaho Falls, Idaho, where he died in 1908, at the age of eighty-four. Mrs. Klippel died about 1895. During his life Mr. Klippel was regarded as one of the most prosperous and substantial men of the community in which he lived.

Clemens Klippel was the oldest in a family of eight children and was only two years old when his parents came to Kansas. He attended the district school near his home and after completing his education taught school for five years. While teaching the Doctor determined to devote his life to the study and practice of medicine and began to read for that profession. He then took a course in the Ensworth Medical College, St. Joseph, Mo., in 1882, and the next year entered Rush Medical College, Chicago, Ill., where he graduated in 1885. Immediately after receiving his degree Dr. Klippel located at Hutchinson, where he has become recognized as one of the leading practitioners. He has devoted much time and attention to surgical work and has made a specialty of treating the eye, ear, nose and throat.

In 1889 Dr. Klippel married Sara M. Oakes, a native of New Jersey, who was descended from a family that settled in New England at an early day. They have two children, Hildegarde and Philip C., both at home. Dr. Klippel is a member of the American Medical Association; of the American Association of Railway Surgeons; is local surgeon for the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad; and belongs to the Rock Island Surgeon's Association. Fraternally he is associated with the Masonic order, being a member of the Blue Lodge, Council and Commandery; he is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; the Ancient Order of United Workmen; and in faith is an Episcopalian. For some years he has been the examiner for the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company; the Aetna Life Insurance Company and several others. Dr. Klippel is the president of the Stewart Hospital Association, which has erected and equipped one of the finest hospitals in Kansas. It is known as the Stewart Hospital, and is located at Hutchinson.