Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2025
                           All Rights Reserved
                        USGenNet Data Repository

        Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page:
                <http://www.us-data.org/fineprint.html>

Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott
for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/
===========================================================================
Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded.
===========================================================================
History of Buffalo & Pepin Counties, Wisconsin - Vol. 1
pub. H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Co., Winona, MN - 1919

         [page 351-352]

         FREDERICK APPEL, one of the early pioneers of Belvidere town-
       ship, Buffalo county, now deceased, was born in Bramberg, Germany,
       where he married WILHELMINA SCHULTZ. In 1855 they, with their three
       children, FRED, ALBERT and CHARLES, embarked on board a sailing ves-
       sel for the United States, landing in New York, after a voyage of
       six weeks. By way of the Erie Canal and the Great Lakes they pro-
       ceeded to Milwaukee, and from there went to Racine, where, for
       awhile, he worked at whatever he could find to do, but later got
       a piece of land which he cultivated until 1857. MR. APPEL then
       sold his place, and with an ox team, he and his family drove to
       Buffalo county, reaching Belvidere township, after a 13 days' trip.
       For awhile he engaged in fishing and hunting, which were his princi-
       pal occupations, until 1859, in which year he bought 80 acres of
       land in section 17, and began to improve it, later buying 40 acres
       more, all of which is now part of the farm occupied by his son,
       CHARLES A. The land was then covered with timber and needed clearing.
       MR. APPEL built a log house, 14 by 20 feet, a little north of the
       present residence, at first using swamp grass for roofing, but later
       replacing it with shingles which he made by hand. His stock at first
       consisted of but one cow, and he did work for a neighbor in exchange
       for a yoke of oxen. He often walked to Winona, Fountain City and Alma,
       carrying home supplies on his back. At that time there were but five
       buildings in Winona - all of them shanties - and mail was brought up
       the river in a skiff. On this farm Mr. Appel died at the age of 75
       years, having for many years survived his wife, who passed away at
       the age of 39. In addition to the three sons mentioned, another,
       named JULIUS, was born at Fountain City, but soon died. Afterwards
       a son, WILLIAM, was born, who is now in Togo, Canada; and a daughter,
       WILHELMINA, who is the wife of JACOB HILGARD, of Alma. MR. APPEL was
       a Lutheran, and his children were brought up in that faith.

===========================================================================