David Hammel

David Hammel (November 26, 1838 – October 13, 1928) was a German American immigrant, businessman, and Democratic politician. He served as the 27th and 29th mayor of Appleton, Wisconsin, and represented Outagamie County in the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1876 and 1877.

Biography

Hammel was born in Gemünden, Rhein-Hunsrück, which was then part of the Rhine Province of the Kingdom of Prussia (modern day Germany). He was educated in the German common schools until 1853, when, at age 14, he emigrated to the United States with his older brother, Jacob. He settled first at Syracuse, New York, and attended school at Ithaca, New York. After leaving school, he remained in Ithaca for several years, working for his brother in dry good sales. He briefly also attempted to run a separate merchant and manufacturing business, but abandoned it after a few years.

After leaving office, Hammel moved to Austin, Minnesota, and continued in horse and cattle trading until his health failed. At that point, he moved to Chicago, Illinois, to live with his sons.

David married Lina Vogel, also an immigrant from Prussia, on January 21, 1861. They had eight children together, though one son died young.