George B. APPEL, b. 1866
George B. Appel, whose farming interests
are represented by a fine tract of land of two
hundred and forty-five acres well improved
with modern equipments, was born in Richland
township, Mahaska county, April 24, 1866.
His father, Peter Appel, was, a native of
Germany, born March 5, 1837, and died upon the
old homestead farm in Richland township,
January 27, 1903. He was only seven years of age
when brought to America and he lived near
Lewisburg, Ohio, with a sister. He was reared
in that locality and attended school and at the
age of about twenty years he came to Iowa,
where he worked for one season in the employ
of Alanson Ridpath, an early settler. He then
returned to Ohio, but the following year again
came to Mahaska county, where he made a
permanent location. He was married in this
county to Miss Margaret Bacon, who was born in
White county, Indiana, June 6, 1836, and is a
daughter of Ira Bacon, who was born in
Massachusetts and died in Richland township,
Mahaska county, at the age of sixty-six years.
His wife, Mrs. Mary Bacon, was a native of
Ohio and died in Richland township, at the
age of seventy-eight years. They came to
Mahaska county in 1852 and secured a claim of
government land, ultimately becoming owners
five hundred acres in Richland township.
Mr. Bacon at first built a little log cabin, in
which the family lived in true pioneer style, but
later he erected a more commodious and
modern residence upon his farm and there continued
to make his home until his death. Peter Appel,
carrying on farming pursuits in this county,
purchased one hundred and seventy-five acres
of land which is now owned by his son, George B.
Appel. This was an unimproved farm, but
Peter Appel built thereon all of the present
buildings, including a fine two-story frame
residence, which is well painted and is tastefully
furnished. There are good barns and
outbuildings upon the place and Mr. Appel was
recognized as an enterprising and
energetic agriculturist. In politics he was a
republican and was prominent in local affairs,
exercising considerable influence in local councils
of his party. He was county supervisor for
one term and held all the minor township
offices. He held membership in the Methodist
Episcopal church, in the work of which he took
an active and helpful interest. He was also for
years a prominent Mason, joining Tri Luminar
lodge in Oskaloosa. His life was honorable
and upright and all who knew him esteemed
him for his genuine personal worth. His
widow still survives and now makes her home
with Mr. and Mrs. John Ashton, of Richland
township, the latter being her daughter. In
the family were four children: Ira D., who
died in infancy; Martha E., the deceased wife
of John I. Lundy; George B., of this review;
and Mary M., who was born in 1871 and is the
wife of John Ashton.
George B. Appel has always made his home
in Richland township upon the farm where he
now resides. He was reared to agricultural
pursuits, early becoming familiar with the
duties and labors that fall to the lot of the
agriculturist. He was married in 1888 to Miss Lillie
L. Rice, a daughter of William Rice, of
Richland township. She died in 1889, leaving one
son, Merril L., who at the age of sixteen years
is attending the public schools. On the 30th of
August, 1893, Mr. Appel wedded Miss Mary
E. Sheehy, who was born in Richland township,
April 23, 1872, and is a daughter of
Miles Sheehy, who was born in Ireland, and is
now a retired farmer residing in Pella, Iowa.
Her mother, who bore the maiden name of
Sarah E. Chase, is now deceased. Unto Mr.
and Mrs. Appel has been born a son, Karl C.,
now eleven years of age.
Mr. Appel is today the owner of a valuable
farm of two hundred and forty-five acres, which
he is keeping under a high state of cultivation,
utilizing it to the best advantage. He is quite
extensively engaged in feeding cattle and hogs
and he buys grain to feed. He is a thoroughly
up-to-date farmer, active and enterprising in
all that he does and his labors are being
attended with a gratifying measure of success. In
his political views Mr. Appel is an earnest
democrat, supporting the party since William
Jennings Bryan was presidential candidate, prior
to which time he had been a republican. He
has served as assessor for one term, as township
clerk for eight years, as school director and as
president of the school board. He belongs to
Central lodge, No. 388, A. F. & A. M., of
Peoria, of which he is now secretary, and he is
likewise a member of Peoria lodge, No. 501,
I. O. O. F. He has filled all of the chairs in
both lodges and is a valued and worthy
representative of the organizations. Mr. Appel has
spent his entire life in Mahaska county, and the
fact that many of his stanchest friends are
those who have known him from his boyhood
days to the present time is an indication that his
life has been an upright and honorable one. He
has always followed farming and stands today
among the representative agriculturists of this
part of the state.
-------------------------------
from Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa by Manoah Hedge
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1906
Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy
Iowa Genealogy
Home Page