Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 213 - 214

WILLIAM KASSEL, Jr., one of the self-made men and capitalists of Wichita, commenced to "paddle his own canoe" when a lad nine years of age.  He now represents very valuable property, all of which he has accumulated by his own perseverance and industry.  Since coming to this city he has been largely interested in real estate, and has distinguished himself as a liberal and public-spirited citizen, interested in the growth of Southern Kansas, and always willing to contribute to its prosperity and welfare.  He proposes building this current year, on one of the prominent streets of the city, a brick block occupying 100 feet front and some four stories in height.  His substantial residence is located at No. 226 South Main street.  Our subject came to this city in 1876.  His birth took place in Farmington, Iowa, on the 10th of June, 1855.  His parents, William and Caroline (Staats) Kassel, were natives of Germany, where they were reared and married, their union taking place in 1844.  William Kassel, Sr., was born Oct. 21, 1812, and his wife, Caroline, Oct. 26, 1813.  They crossed the Atlantic in 1848, four years after their marriage and after the birth of one child.  Upon reaching America they proceeded southwestward and settled in St. Louis, Mo., where the father engaged at his trade of watchmaker, but remained there, however, only a short time.  Then coming North, he took up his residence in Farmington, where he carried on a jewelry store for many years.

      Five more children were added to the household after the parents of our subject came to America.  Of their family of six but three are now living, namely: Hannah H., Mrs. Hassmann, of Farmington, Iowa; Caroline, Mrs. Fuhrmann, of Fairmont, Kan., and William, of our sketch.  The latter, when nine years of age, left home and commenced doing for himself, and at the age of thirteen began learning the jewelry trade under the instruction of his father, at Farmington. Two years later he made his way to Warsaw, Ill., where he completed his apprenticeship and worked eighteen months or so with his brother-in-law, Mr Fuhrmann.

      The advent of our subject in this city was made soon after reaching his majority.  He worked at his trade for one and one-half years, then engaged in the jewelry business on Douglas avenue, where he built up a good patronage, and in due time gave employment to three men.  This he followed until in February, 1887, when he sold out and practically retired from the cares of business life.  In 1876 he put up, on South Main street, the well-known Museum Block, and has besides this other buildings in the city occupied by tenants.

      Mr. Kassel's family includes his wife and two sons, the latter named Henry W. and Frank T., promising young boys, aged nine and six years respectively.  The mother of these in her girlhood was Miss Lydia E., daughter of Rev. Henry F. and Catherine (Mantz) Koeneke, natives of Germany.  She became the wife of our subject on the 31st of July, 1877, when seventeen years of age, having been born Nov. 17, 1860, in Pekin, Ill.  Her parents emigrated to America when children, and were married at Pittsfield, Ill.  The household circle included nine children, of whom but six are now living, namely:  Ella, Mrs. G. R. Coates; her husband is a traveling agent.  Lydia E., Mrs. Kassel; Annie, Mrs. Dr. Rinkle, of Bunker Hill, Ill.; Lovina, Mary and Henry, at home with their parents, who are now residents of Baldwin, Mo.

      The father of Mrs. Kassel, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, is highly educated, and a college graduate.  He was a Professor of German in the Warsaw (Ill.) High School, and also in the college at Canton, Mo.  The father of Mr. Kassel removed to Wichita in 1879, and died three years later, in the spring of 1882.  The mother is still living, and makes her home with her son William.  She has now reached the advanced age of seventy five years.  Both parents identified themselves with the German Methodist Episcopal Church in early life, of which the mother still remains a devoted member.  Mr. Kessel, our subject, although having little to do with politics, votes the straight Republican ticket, and socially, belongs to the Masonic fraternity and the I. O. O. F.  He and his estimable wife are also members of the German Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mrs. K. is active in its Missionary Society.  Mr. Kassel is a member of the Board of Trade.

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