George Thomas Applegate

Documented History

According to Indiana, Death Certificates, 1899-2011, George Thomas Applegate was born on 26 August 1899 in Crothersville, Indiana.

George lived with his parents and siblings in Crothersville, Jackson, Indiana, according to the 1900 United States Federal Census. His father was George W. Applegate, born in Indiana in April 1857. George W. was 43 years old, working as a Drayman. George W. was married to Serilda, born in July 1872 in Indiana. She was 27 years old. George and Serilda had been married for 10 years. Serilda had five children, four of whom are still living. John W was 9 years old. His sister, Elsie M, was born in January 1893; she was 7 years old. Their sister Edna M was born in December 1894; she was 5 years old.

George T was born in August 1899; he was 9 months old. Serilda’s sister, Cora B. White, lived with them then. She was born in August 1880 and was 19 years old. The Applegate family had visitors at the time of the Census. The visitors are listed as Joseph E Cornish, born October 1866. Joseph’s wife was Emma, born August 1877. Joseph and Emma’s children were Von L, born April 1895, and Vera J., born May 1897. Both children were born in Tennessee.

In 1910, George Thomas lived with his mother and stepfather, according to the 1910 United States Federal Census.  His stepfather was Henry Toppe, 40 years old.  This was Henry’s second marriage.  Henry and his parents were born in Indiana.  Serilda, George’s mom, was 38 years old at the time, and this was her second marriage as well.  Elsie, age 17; Edna, age 15; and Charles E., age 7, also lived with them at the time.  George Thomas was 10 years old at the time.

On 12 September 1918, George Thomas Applegate registered for the WWI draft, per U.S. World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. At the time, he lived at 806 Woodlawn, Indianapolis, Indiana. He was 19 years old; his birthdate was listed as 26 August 1899. He worked as a Laborer with a manufacturing company. He lived with his mom, Serilda Toppe. This tells me that Serilda remarried. George was of medium height and slender build, with blue eyes and light hair.

Based on information from the 1920 United States Federal Census, in 1920, on Woodlawn Avenue in Indianapolis, George Appelgate, a 20-year-old machinist working at Dee’s Tools, resided with his mother, Serilda Toppe, and his younger brother, Charles.

The family, all born in Indiana, lived in a household of three, where George was listed as the son of the head of the house. George was literate and able to speak English. The close-knit family unit seemed to be rooted in their Indiana heritage, with George’s occupation reflecting a practical and hands-on approach to work.

According to the city directory, George lived at 806 Woodlawn Ave and worked as a laborer in 1922.

Based on information from the 1930 United States Federal Census, in 1930, George T Applegate, a 30-year-old white male, resided on Brookside Avenue in Indianapolis, Indiana, with his stepfather, John F Walsh, and his mother, Serilda Walsh.

George, born in Indiana around 1900, was single and working as a wage worker in a factory. He could read and write English. Living in a household of three, all born in Indiana, George’s occupation added to the diverse dynamics of the family unit.

Based on information from the 1940 United States Federal Census, in 1940, on N Alabama Street in Indianapolis, a divorced 40-year-old machinist named George T Applegate found lodging with Maria E Howson, a 60-year-old head of the household.

George, a white man from Indiana, had completed elementary school and worked 40 hours a week as a wage worker, earning $1,250 in 1939.

George Thomas Applegate registered for the WWII Draft in Indianapolis, Indiana.  He was 42 at the time, living at 1327 Brookside Avenue, and worked at Allison’s Engr. in Speedway City.  He was born August 26, 1899, in Crothersville, Indiana.  He was 5’5″ and weighed 120 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes.  His next of kin was listed as Florence Gish.

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Marriage

George Thomas Applegate married Flora Cecile Schnoth on 2 November 1963, per Indiana, Marriage Certificates, 1958-2005. George was 64 years old and worked as a Material Checker. He lived at 4435 W. 30th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana. He had one previous marriage, which ended in divorce.

Flora lived at 7837 Haben Court, Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, and worked as a housekeeper. She was 65 years old and had 2 previous marriages, the last of which ended in death. Both were Protestant.

George made a Social Security claim on 15 September 1964, according to the U.S. Social Security Applications and Claims Index. 

George T. Applegate married Laura Myrtle Vickery on 5 May 1971, per Indiana, Marriage Certificates, 1958-2005. At the time, he lived at 739 N. Linwood, Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana. He was 71 years old and retired. He’s listed as Protestant. He had three previous marriages, and the last ended by death.

Laura lived at 2817 Foltz, Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana. She was 71 years old and retired. She had two previous marriages, the last one ending in death. She’s also listed as Protestant.

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Death

According to Indiana, Death Certificates, 1899-2011, George T passed away at 8:30 pm on 6 April 1990 in Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana. He was widowed and had previously worked as a Material Handler in Automotive Manufacturing. He was 90 years old when he passed. His parents are listed as George W. Applegate and Serilda White.

His birthdate was listed as 26 August 1899. The informant was his step-son, Jack Vickery. George died at home minutes after a cerebral vascular accident, or stroke. He had been suffering from Arteriosclerosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and arteriosclerotic heart disease for years. He was living with his step-son at 3517 Winnings, Indianapolis, Indiana.

According to George’s Obituary, he died Friday, April 6, 1990, in his home, where he lived with his stepson, Jack Vickery.  He was the widower of Laura W. Vickery Applegate.  He had been a material handler at Allison for 24 years, retiring in 1957, and was a member of the Third Christian Church.  He was buried April 9, 1990, in Floral Park Cemetery.

George T. was buried on 9 April 1990 at Floral Park Cemetery, Indianapolis, Indiana, according to Indiana, Death Certificates, 1899-2011. He is resting now at Floral Park Cemetery, per the U.S. Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current.

As always, I will continue to research George Thomas and will update this post as I find additional information.  In the meantime, if you knew George and have memories you’d like to share, please don’t hesitate to use the comments box below to share.

Stay tuned,

~Kris