The manufacturer Gustav Coppel played a prominent role in the economic, social, and political life of the city of Solingen. For a time, he was President of the Chamber of Commerce and chairman of various manufacturers’ associations. For several years, he led the local and district association of the National Liberal Party, was a city councilor from 1867 to 1910, and an unsalaried alderman from 1892 to 1914, whereby he was particularly committed to the development of the general school system.
On October 18, 1906, the city council of Solingen decided to make the Privy Councilor of Commerce Gustav Coppel an honorary citizen in recognition of his services to the city. His social commitment culminated in the establishment of the Coppel Foundation, which from 1912 onwards was dedicated to youth work and health care. He served on the board of directors of the synagogue congregation for sixty years, thirty years of which as its chairman. When the honorary citizen of Solingen was buried in December 1914, the condolence of the population was overwhelming.
On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the family business in 1921, his sons donated two million marks in the form of various endowments and foundations.
Timeline Solingen
- ↑ Jewish Casualties of the First World War from Solingen – February 25, 1915
- ↓ Inauguration of the Solingen Synagogue on Malteserstrasse – March 8, 1872