BIO: Thomas Alexander APPLEBY, Huntingdon County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Dave Wilson Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ************************************************************** __________________________________________________________ McElroy, James Thomas Jr., McElroy's Family Memories, Huntingdon, PA: (Author), 1930, page 4. __________________________________________________________ THOMAS ALEXANDER APPLEBY Mt. Union, Penna. Retired: Thomas Alexander Appleby needs no introduction to the reading public. His "Annals of the Common People" have been widely read. A fearless writer, exposing the liquor interests, and vice in general, also his reminiscences of war days and rural life. And now as to the man. Thomas Appleby was born in Dublin Township, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, May 2, 1843, a son of John Appleby, who died July 14, 1856, aged forty-three years, and of Priscilla (Montague) Appleby, who died June 20, 1892, aged seventy-seven years. The early school days of Thomas Appleby consisted of three months for a term, later raised to four months' period. He was a student at Milnwood Academy, Shade Gap, Huntingdon County. Taught school at Weaver's School, near Saxton, Pa., and clerked at store of Brice X. Blair at Shade Gap. Removed to Mount Union, Pa., October 1, 1867, built his home in 1870 store room attached and has been living in home continuously since. Has been a merchant for fifty years, at present retired, but has some business interests. Is President and Director of First National Bank of Mt. Union, Pa. A Presbyterian, Elder for fifty-seven years, clerk of sessions for same period, Superintendent of Sunday School for fifty-nine years, has served on School Board Election Board, City Council. Belongs to General Kane, G.A.R., Post, No. 292. But two members survive; once contained forty members. Was a member of Co. K, 202nd Regiment, Penna. Vol. Inf., under Capt. A. Wilson Decker, Col. Chas. Albright commanding. Has four brothers, Daniel D., died Feb. 5, 1905, killed by railroad; John S., deceased, Jan,. 25, 1912; James M., died June 25, 1907, and George S., living at Ryde, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. Daniel C., a brother previously mentioned, served in Co. I, 149th Penna Bucktail Vols. He was a Lieutenant, Thomas A. Appleby was married to Martha McNeal, of Shade Gap. Children: John C., a merchant of Mt. Union, and Mary Catharine, who died July 30, 1906. His wife died in 1876. Remarried a sister, Catharine McNeal. Following are the children: James D., merchant, Mt. Union, Pa.; Janet L., married to Carl Tiffany, Toledo, Ohio, and Nellie R., married to Charles R. Baldwin, Mt. Union, Pa. Mr. Appleby is a Progressive Republican of the Roosevelt type. A contributor to the Mt. Union Times and the Huntingdon Daily News. A remarkable man with keen intellect, erect, and well-posted in affairs of County, State and Nation.