Person:Emma Minger (2)

BIOGRAPHY: Compiled by Mae Brown Siemers Rand

EMMA ADELINE (MINGER) KAPPEN, 1862-1928, and FRANK KAPPEN, 1861-1917

Emma Adeline Minger, born Sunday, 20 April 1862, was the sixth child of Johann and Elisabeth (Hassig) Minger. As she was born in the year 1862, we can believe she was a small baby when her father tried to enlist in the Civil War but was rejected because of flat feet. His two brothers enlisted in the fall of 1862. Emma's baptism record in St. John's Lutheran Church, Guttenberg, Iowa reads - Emilie Adolline, daughter of Johann Minger, farmer and Elisabeth geb (born) Hessig, born 20 April 1862 bei (near) Guttenberg; baptized 27 June 1862. Rev. Fr. Wm. Beckmann. Sponsors - Benjamin Minger (brother of Johann) and Elise Minger (probably Elisabeth (Hassig) Minger. Emma lived her childhood years on the family farm and as there was not a school in the area, she very likely stayed the winter months with her grandparents, Johann and Anna Maria (Hofer) Minger in Jefferson Township and obtained her education at the Jolly Ridge School near their home.

On Tuesday, 18 October 1881, Emma was married to Frank Kappen who was a carpenter. At the time of their marriage Emma and Frank were both 19 years of age. Following their marriage they moved to Rock Valley, Iowa in the western part of the state. We can believe that it was here that their first four children - Harvey, John, William and Pearl were born. In 1889 the family moved to Canton, South Dakota and their son Robert was born in December of that year. We can believe that it was also in Canton that Emma and Frank's next seven children were born - Margaret, Mary, Edna, Frank, Emma Adeline, Harold and Helen. The daughter, Emma Adeline, died as an infant.

Emma was left a widow when her husband Frank died in 1917 at age 55. Her youngest child, Helen Mae, was then ten years old. When Emma's mother died in 1922, her obituary stated that her daughter Emma (Minger) Kappen was living in Grand Island, Nebraska and it was in Grand Island that Emma died six years later at the age of 66. In Emm's obituary her children - John, William, Edna, Frank and Harold - were listed as living in Grand Island. Harvey was listed as living in Omaha, Robert in Canton, Margaret in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Helen on Plattsmouth, Nebraska. Emma was also survived by four sisters and six brothers. Emma's obituary stated that she was a loving, helpful mother, who ever directed her home in Christian life.

OBITUARY: Unlabeled and undated MRS. EMMA KAPPEN, FORMER CANTON RESIDENT, DIES IN NEBR.

Funeral services were held here Sunday for Mrs. Emma Kappen, nee Minger, mother of Robert T. Kappen, of this city, who died Thursday, July 5th, at Grand Island, Nebr. Mrs. Kappen was a former resident of Canton, and interment was in Forest Hill Cemetery.

Emma Adeline Kappen, nee Minger, was born at Millville, Iowa, on April 20, 1862, and passed to her reward July 5, 1928, at the age of 66 years, 2 months, and 15 days. In her youth she attended country school in the community in which she was born. She was married to Frank Emmel Kappen in November 1880. He preceded her in death in 1917. Following their marriage they moved to Rock Valley, Iowa, and in 1889 came to Canton. To this union twelve children were born: Harry, of Omaha, Nebr., John F. of Grand Island, Neb., William A., also of Grand Island, Robert T. of Canton, Mrs. Margaret Puckhaber of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Mrs. Edna Geisinger, Frank E. Kappen and Harold Kappen, all of Grand Island, Nebr., and Mrs. Helen Hall of Plsattsmouth, Neb. Three daughters, Pearl, Mary and Emma, are deceased. Four sisters and six brothers also survive her. Mrs. Kappen was baptized in the Bethel Christian church. She was a loving, helpful mother, who ever directed her home in Christian life.