Biographical Sketches
WILLIAM EDWIN CHAPPELL, M.D.
Who since 1881 has engaged in the practice of medicine, in Kansas City, is a native of Kentucky, his birth having occurred in Todd county, on the 31st of May, 1854. His parents, Robert and Fannie (Turnley) Chappell, were also natives of Kentucky, the former born in Owen county, the latter in Todd county. For some years the father engaged in merchandising at Elkton, Kentucky, but soon after the death of his wife he sold out and removed to Boston, Massachusetts, where he followed the same pursuit. When the civil war broke out he offered his services to the government and with a Massachusetts regiment went to the south. He participated in a number of important engagements and was wounded at the first battle of Manassas. When the war was over, he returned to Massachusetts, where his death occurred in 1867. He was a member of the Baptist church, and his well spent life gained him the high regard of those with whom he was brought in contact. His father, Robert Chappell, was a Virginian.
The Doctor was only 6 weeks old when his mother died. He was reared on a farm in the county of his nativity and his elementary education, acquired in the common schools, was supplemented by a course in the Southwestern Presbyterian University at Clarksville, Tennessee. Wishing to enter the medical profession, he took up the study of medicine in the Vanderbilt University at Nashville, Tennessee, at which he was graduated in 1876. After that he attended the old Nashville University, and later became interne in the city hospital, a position which he filled for 8 months. On the expiration of that period he removed to Memphis, Tennessee, to take charge of the western division of the penitentiary hospital, where he remained for a few months, when he returned to Todd county, Kentucky, spending about 6 months there. His next place of residence was Long View, Christian county, Kentucky, where he engaged in practice for 3 years. In the winter of 1880-1 he pursued a post-graduate course in the Bellevue Hospital, of New York city, and in February of the latter year he came to Kansas City, where he has since remained. The Doctor has succeeded in building up an excellent practice here. He is thoroughly versed in his profession, is continually studying in order to further perfect himself, and now has a large and lucrative business. He is yet a young man, and may attain still greater successes in the future.
In January, 1881, the Doctor was united in marriage with Miss Rena Shaw, and they now have 2 sons, -- William Edwin and Thomas C., who add life and brightness to their pleasant home, which is located at No. 906 E. 6th Street. In politics the Doctor is a democrat, socially is a Master Mason, and is a gentleman of unvarying courtesy, highminded and scrupulously faithful to every trust committed to his care.
This page was last updated August 2, 2006.