BIO: Thomas Alexander APPLEBY, Huntingdon County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Dave Wilson 
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McElroy, James Thomas Jr., McElroy's Family Memories, 
Huntingdon, PA: (Author), 1930, page 4.
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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.