Deputy Auditor of Hamilton County, Ohio, was born, on February 23d, 1839, in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, being the son of William G. Cappellar, who emigrated from Pennsylvania in 1848 and located upon a farm near Richmond, Indiana. During the Presidential campaign of 1852, being an eloquent speaker and well versed in civil affairs, his father stumped the State of Indiana for Franklin Pierce, addressing his audiences in English and German. He died in the winter of 1852, leaving William S., his only child, upon whom devolved the cultivation and management of the farm for the support of his widowed mother. He worked assiduously during the spring and summer months, and in the fall and winter attended school and received an excellent elementary education. In this employment he secured a robust and vigorous constitution, which in later years has enabled him to perform an unusually large amount of public and private labor. He attended the county lyceums and became an able debater, acquiring at these meetings a taste and developing a fine talent for extempore speaking. He was apprenticed to Hon. D. P. Holloway, then editor of the Richmond Palladium, to learn the trade of a printer, but his uncle, Philip Dorn, of Mount Healthy, Ohio, offered him the opportunity for obtaining a finished education at Farmer's College, which he accepted. That gentleman had recently lost his wife, and Mrs. Cappellar and her son went to reside with him. Mr. Cappellar entered this institution and secured a very comprehensive knowledge of the sciences and arts, and of other branches requisite for a successful career in life. His mother watched carefully over his instruction, and his prosperity is due to the attention and care she bestowed on his early education. In 1859 he married Lizzie Killen, of Mount Healthy, and embarked in the dry-goods and grocery business at that place. In 1866 he was appointed Postmaster of Mount Healthy, and held that office until 1872. In 1869 he was elected Clerk of Springfield township, and also Clerk of the township Board of Education, and was three times re-elected. During his leisure hours he studied law, and thoroughly qualified himself for admission to the bar. He soon opened an office in the village and disposed of his interest in the store. At this time the press of Cincinnati were declaiming against the mismanagement and corruption of county officials; and the Court of Common Pleas, in October, 1871, appointed a committee of three to investigate these charges, and Mr. Cappellar was placed on that committee. He discharged his duty so faithfully and earnestly as to elicit the commendation of the people and the press, and the Legislature of the State, acting upon the exposition of the cause of these complaints made by that committee, amended the laws pertaining to the compensation of county officials, by a bill known as the "Hamilton county fee bill." His quick perception, clearness of expression and open and fearless advocacy of the right, secured him a clerkship with the then County Auditor, Hon. Walker M. Yeatman. In October, 1873, Hon. Joseph B. Humphreys being elected Auditor of the county, appointed Mr. Cappellar his deputy; and that gentleman being re-elected in October, 1875, continued Mr. Cappellar in his position, which he now fills with energy and intelligence. He has been for many years prominently identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, contributing to its publications, delivering lectures, and in the Grand Lodge of the State an able representative and wise counselor. He is a gentleman of scholarly and fine business qualities, and has caused his success in life by industry and talent, and by a courteous demeanor toward those with whom he has come in contact.
~ Ohio Biographical Sketches, 1876

Civil War Veteran: GAR program indicates service

Married Elizabeth killen
children include:
Laura Cappeller abt 1860
William Cappeller abt 1862
Mary Cappeller abt 1867
Edward Cappeller abt 1872
Leora Cappeller abt 1875