"Alfred Stephen Kappele, chief of the Stratford Fire Department since 1913, and one of Stratford's most prominent and respected citizens, died Sunday evening, shortly after 6 o'clock, at the family residence".
Chief Kappele was born in Hamilton, a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Edward Kappele. Kappele was in his 71st year. He was educated in Hamilton and Council Bluffs, Iowa where he lived for a short time and then returned to Hamilton.
Entering upon fire fighting as a career in 1897 with the Hamilton Fire Department as a fireman, he rose to the rank of lieutenant and then in two months after the fire which wiped out Cobalt in the fall of 1909, was named fire chief organizing a fire fighting department in that community and remained in Stratford as successor to Chief Hugh Durkin who lost his life in the fire which destroyed Knox Presbyterian Church in May of 1913. It was July 1,1913 when he assumed his duties here.
Chief Kappele joined the Ontario Fire Chiefs Assoc. when he became chief in Cobalt, In 1914 he had the Honor of being president of that association and host to the annual convention in Stratford.
When Chief Kappele assumed charge of the Stratford Fire Department there were horse-drawn vehicles, two teams being required to draw the ladder truck and the hose wagon, while extra horses were used for the old Silsby Steam Engine. Early in 1914 the city bought a new horse-drawn city service ladder truck and a new Waterous steam fire engine, upon his recommendation and in October, 1914, a motor driven chemical engine and hose truck was secured. The motorized ladder truck came in 1920 when the 1914 apparatus was transferred to the new truck. In 1923 the triple combination pumping engine, hose and chemical truck was purchased. Throughout the years the chief also saw the development of modern alarm systems throughout the city and its chief industries.
One of his prime interests was the scout movement and in this connection he held the office of president of the Stratford Scout Association.
Active for many years as a lawn bowler, Chief Kappele was a director of the Stratford Lawn Bowling Club. He was a member of Stratford Lodge, No. 332 A. F. & M., a past chancellor of Hamlet Lodge 42, Knights of Pythias and a past district deputy grand chancellor of this district; a member of Sippara Temple, D.O.K.K., Hamilton, and honorary member of Acha Abba Temple, D.O.K.K., Toronto and a member of Canadian Order of Foresters, Chief Kappele was a member of St. James Church, Stratford.
He lies at peaceful rest with his wife of many years, Ellen Somerville Kappele.
His legacy still stands in the City and Stratford Fire Department; his picture hangs in rememberance on the wall of the Fire Department.
Chief Kappele was born in Hamilton, a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Edward Kappele. Kappele was in his 71st year. He was educated in Hamilton and Council Bluffs, Iowa where he lived for a short time and then returned to Hamilton.
Entering upon fire fighting as a career in 1897 with the Hamilton Fire Department as a fireman, he rose to the rank of lieutenant and then in two months after the fire which wiped out Cobalt in the fall of 1909, was named fire chief organizing a fire fighting department in that community and remained in Stratford as successor to Chief Hugh Durkin who lost his life in the fire which destroyed Knox Presbyterian Church in May of 1913. It was July 1,1913 when he assumed his duties here.
Chief Kappele joined the Ontario Fire Chiefs Assoc. when he became chief in Cobalt, In 1914 he had the Honor of being president of that association and host to the annual convention in Stratford.
When Chief Kappele assumed charge of the Stratford Fire Department there were horse-drawn vehicles, two teams being required to draw the ladder truck and the hose wagon, while extra horses were used for the old Silsby Steam Engine. Early in 1914 the city bought a new horse-drawn city service ladder truck and a new Waterous steam fire engine, upon his recommendation and in October, 1914, a motor driven chemical engine and hose truck was secured. The motorized ladder truck came in 1920 when the 1914 apparatus was transferred to the new truck. In 1923 the triple combination pumping engine, hose and chemical truck was purchased. Throughout the years the chief also saw the development of modern alarm systems throughout the city and its chief industries.
One of his prime interests was the scout movement and in this connection he held the office of president of the Stratford Scout Association.
Active for many years as a lawn bowler, Chief Kappele was a director of the Stratford Lawn Bowling Club. He was a member of Stratford Lodge, No. 332 A. F. & M., a past chancellor of Hamlet Lodge 42, Knights of Pythias and a past district deputy grand chancellor of this district; a member of Sippara Temple, D.O.K.K., Hamilton, and honorary member of Acha Abba Temple, D.O.K.K., Toronto and a member of Canadian Order of Foresters, Chief Kappele was a member of St. James Church, Stratford.
He lies at peaceful rest with his wife of many years, Ellen Somerville Kappele.
His legacy still stands in the City and Stratford Fire Department; his picture hangs in rememberance on the wall of the Fire Department.
"Alfred Stephen Kappele, chief of the Stratford Fire Department since 1913, and one of Stratford's most prominent and respected citizens, died Sunday evening, shortly after 6 o'clock, at the family residence".
Chief Kappele was born in Hamilton, a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Edward Kappele. Kappele was in his 71st year. He was educated in Hamilton and Council Bluffs, Iowa where he lived for a short time and then returned to Hamilton.
Entering upon fire fighting as a career in 1897 with the Hamilton Fire Department as a fireman, he rose to the rank of lieutenant and then in two months after the fire which wiped out Cobalt in the fall of 1909, was named fire chief organizing a fire fighting department in that community and remained in Stratford as successor to Chief Hugh Durkin who lost his life in the fire which destroyed Knox Presbyterian Church in May of 1913. It was July 1,1913 when he assumed his duties here.
Chief Kappele joined the Ontario Fire Chiefs Assoc. when he became chief in Cobalt, In 1914 he had the Honor of being president of that association and host to the annual convention in Stratford.
When Chief Kappele assumed charge of the Stratford Fire Department there were horse-drawn vehicles, two teams being required to draw the ladder truck and the hose wagon, while extra horses were used for the old Silsby Steam Engine. Early in 1914 the city bought a new horse-drawn city service ladder truck and a new Waterous steam fire engine, upon his recommendation and in October, 1914, a motor driven chemical engine and hose truck was secured. The motorized ladder truck came in 1920 when the 1914 apparatus was transferred to the new truck. In 1923 the triple combination pumping engine, hose and chemical truck was purchased. Throughout the years the chief also saw the development of modern alarm systems throughout the city and its chief industries.
One of his prime interests was the scout movement and in this connection he held the office of president of the Stratford Scout Association.
Active for many years as a lawn bowler, Chief Kappele was a director of the Stratford Lawn Bowling Club. He was a member of Stratford Lodge, No. 332 A. F. & M., a past chancellor of Hamlet Lodge 42, Knights of Pythias and a past district deputy grand chancellor of this district; a member of Sippara Temple, D.O.K.K., Hamilton, and honorary member of Acha Abba Temple, D.O.K.K., Toronto and a member of Canadian Order of Foresters, Chief Kappele was a member of St. James Church, Stratford.
He lies at peaceful rest with his wife of many years, Ellen Somerville Kappele.
His legacy still stands in the City and Stratford Fire Department; his picture hangs in rememberance on the wall of the Fire Department.
Chief Kappele was born in Hamilton, a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Edward Kappele. Kappele was in his 71st year. He was educated in Hamilton and Council Bluffs, Iowa where he lived for a short time and then returned to Hamilton.
Entering upon fire fighting as a career in 1897 with the Hamilton Fire Department as a fireman, he rose to the rank of lieutenant and then in two months after the fire which wiped out Cobalt in the fall of 1909, was named fire chief organizing a fire fighting department in that community and remained in Stratford as successor to Chief Hugh Durkin who lost his life in the fire which destroyed Knox Presbyterian Church in May of 1913. It was July 1,1913 when he assumed his duties here.
Chief Kappele joined the Ontario Fire Chiefs Assoc. when he became chief in Cobalt, In 1914 he had the Honor of being president of that association and host to the annual convention in Stratford.
When Chief Kappele assumed charge of the Stratford Fire Department there were horse-drawn vehicles, two teams being required to draw the ladder truck and the hose wagon, while extra horses were used for the old Silsby Steam Engine. Early in 1914 the city bought a new horse-drawn city service ladder truck and a new Waterous steam fire engine, upon his recommendation and in October, 1914, a motor driven chemical engine and hose truck was secured. The motorized ladder truck came in 1920 when the 1914 apparatus was transferred to the new truck. In 1923 the triple combination pumping engine, hose and chemical truck was purchased. Throughout the years the chief also saw the development of modern alarm systems throughout the city and its chief industries.
One of his prime interests was the scout movement and in this connection he held the office of president of the Stratford Scout Association.
Active for many years as a lawn bowler, Chief Kappele was a director of the Stratford Lawn Bowling Club. He was a member of Stratford Lodge, No. 332 A. F. & M., a past chancellor of Hamlet Lodge 42, Knights of Pythias and a past district deputy grand chancellor of this district; a member of Sippara Temple, D.O.K.K., Hamilton, and honorary member of Acha Abba Temple, D.O.K.K., Toronto and a member of Canadian Order of Foresters, Chief Kappele was a member of St. James Church, Stratford.
He lies at peaceful rest with his wife of many years, Ellen Somerville Kappele.
His legacy still stands in the City and Stratford Fire Department; his picture hangs in rememberance on the wall of the Fire Department.
Inscription
Alfred Stephen Kappele / Born September 17th 1873 / Died March 12th 1944 / Beloved Husband and Father /
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