Biographical Sketch of James W. Appling, Laclede County, Missouri

>From "History of Laclede, Camden, Dallas, Webster, Wright, Texas, 
Pulaski, Phelps and Dent Counties, Missouri" The Goodspeed Publishing
Company, 1889.
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James W. Appling, miller at Lebanon, Mo., and son of James M. and Eliz-
abeth (Barnes) Appling, was born in Wright county, Mo., October 7, 1841.
The parents were both natives of Kentucky, and the Appling family were 
originally from Georgia, but immigrated to Kentucky at an early date.
This family is of Scotch-Irish descent.  The paternal grandfather, Joel
Appling, died in Kentucky, as did also the maternal grandparents. James
M. Appling was a farmer by occupation, and in 1835 he, with his family,
immirgated to Missouri from Kentucky, coming through with an ox team.
This was about the time the Indians were driven from Tennessee, and Mr.
Appling experienced some hard times in gathering feed for his cattle.
They settled in Wright county, Mo., in the fall of 1835, locating on a
squatter's claim, but, however, only lived there a few years, when he 
sold his claim, and in about 1842 moved to what is now Laclede county.
He located about one-half mile north of Old Lebanon, purchased a small
farm, unimproved, with the exception of a few acres round a log cabin,
and the foundation of this cabin is still standing.  Here Mr. Appling
lived for many years engaged in tilling the soil, and was subject to 
all the harships incident to pioneer life.  He has spent his entire 
life in agricultural pursuits, and is still living at the age of 
seventy-eight years.  The mother died in 1860.  They were the parents 
of nine children, eight now living: Aurelius M., James W., John W.,
Columbus C., Miles L., Edward H., Sarah A., wife of Miles Elder, and
resides in Arizona; Ella M., wife of Thomas Thompson, and is now resid-
ing in Kansas.  James W. Appling was but a year old when he moved with
his parents to Laclede county, Mo., and therefore has been identified
Laclede county all his life.  His education was very limited, owing to
the fact that school facilities were not of the best, and he assisted
his father on the farm until the breaking out of the late Civil War. At
the call for troops he shouldered his musket and marched into service
August 12, 1861.  He enlisted in Company A, Sixth Missouri Cavalry, and
was mustered out at St. Louis.  He was at the battles of Wet Glaize,
Sugar Creek and a great many hard skirmishes.  He was in advance of
Curtis' army until they struck Pea Ridge, when they stood in reserve 
for three days.  They were in the battle of Prairie Grove in December,
1863, and he was mustered out August 19, 1864.  He then returned home
and followed farming for three or four years, after which he engaged in
milling, and this he has followed ever since.  Mr. Appling is a prac-
tical miller, having had the experience of many years, and his flour is
as good as can be found in Southern Missouri.  He was married in 1864,
November 28, to Miss Fannie A., daughter of Joseph F. Smith, whose 
sketch appears elsewhere in these pages.  To Mr. and Mrs. Appling were
born four children, three now living: Ella B., Jennie M. and Alma M.
They have an adopted son, named James L.  Mr. Appling is a member of 
the Masonic fraternity, a member of the I.O.O.F., A.O.U.W., and G.A.R.

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