Documented History
John William Applegate was born in May 1891, per the 1900 United States Federal Census. His various marriage records have his birthdate listed as 8 May 1891.
According to the 1900 United States Federal Census, John W. lived with his parents and siblings in Crothersville, Jackson, Indiana. His father was George W. Applegate, born in Indiana in April 1857. George was 43 years old and working as a Drayman. George 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, 4 of whom are still living.
John W was 9 years old. His sister, Elsie M, was born in January 1893 and was 7 years old. Their sister Edna M was born in December 1894 and was 5 years old. Their brother George G was born in August 1899 and was 9 months old. Serilda’s sister, Cora B. White, was also living with them at the time. 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.
A 1906 U.S. City Directory lists John Applegate as living at 110 N Belmont Ave, Indianapolis, Indiana, and working as a Brakeman. However, the city directory does not provide enough information to confirm that this is the same John William Applegate. His father is also listed above him as living in Indianapolis, so it is entirely possible that this is the same John.
Based on information from the 1910 United States Federal Census, in 1910, in Crothersville Ward 2, Jackson, Indiana, 18-year-old John Applegate resided with his family on Slate Ford Pike. John, a white male, was the son of George W. Applegate and, step-mom, Sarah A. Applegate (Silence).
His native tongue was English, and he was single at the time. John was able to read and write, indicating a level of education. Living in a household of four, which included his parents and a step-sister, John’s family ties and educational background provide a glimpse into his life during that period.
Marriage
John W married Reva R. Robinson on 22 July 1912 in Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, per Indiana, Select Marriages Index, 1748-1993. His birthdate is listed as 1890 in Crothersville, Jackson, Indiana. His parents are listed as Geo. W. Applegate and Serilda White. Reva’s parents are listed as George E. Robinson and Anna Elliott. John was 22 years old.
John William Applegate registered for the draft, per U.S. World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, on 5 June 1917. At the time, he lived at 1639 Pleasant Street, Indianapolis, Indiana. His date of birth is 8 May 1891 in Crothersville, Indiana. He was a Salesman for Armour & Co. He supported his mother and wife at the time. He was of medium build with blue eyes and light hair. He had lost four fingers on his right hand.
According to the Indiana Marriage Index, 1800-1941, John W. Applegate married Rebecca C. Wood on 4 August 1917 in Marion County, Indiana. He was 26 years old at the time.
Based on John’s Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, he enlisted with the military on March 9, 1918, and was discharged on May 23, 1919. His birthdate is listed as May 8, 1891. His death date was October 14, 1977. The Veterans Administration Master Index confirms his birthdate and discharge date in Terre Haute, Indiana.
Based on information from the 1920 United States Federal Census, in 1920, in the bustling city of Indianapolis, John W Applegate, a 28-year-old white male from Indiana, found himself residing on North New Jersey Street as a boarder in the household of Mayne Davis. His fellow boarders were Martin J Dwyer, aged 53, and Peter B Dwyer, aged 48. John was listed as single, able to speak, read, and write in English, and employed in a wage or salary field.
The close-knit living arrangement with three other household members hinted at a shared camaraderie or perhaps a practical solution to the high cost of living in the city during that time. This record doesn’t give enough personal information to state that this is the same John William Applegate. But the timing fits where he was in his life at the time. He would have just gotten discharged from the military the year before and, therefore, was looking to start a new chapter of his life while seeking permanent employment and a place to call home. He was working as a salesman at the time.
John William married Margaret Schilling on 19 September 1921, per Indiana, Select Marriages Index, 1748-1993. His parents were listed as George W. Applegate and Serilda White. He was 31 years old at the time. His birthdate was listed as 8 May 1890. Margaret’s parents were listed as Mary Suits and James White.
According to Ohio County Marriage Records, John married Mary E Webb on April 15, 1929, in Hamilton, Ohio. He was 37 years old, born May 8, 1892, and his parents were Geo W Applegate and Serelda White. The record states that he was previously married once and that he was a widower. His residence was listed as 37 N. Washington Hotel, and he worked as a Merchant.
Mary was 31 years old, born on June 27, 1897. She lived at 3373 Reading Rd, Hamilton County, Ohio and was born in Nelson County, Kentucky. Her father was James D Webb and her mother was Bertha Wheeler. Mary was also previously married once and her married name was Winkler.
John William registered with the WWII draft in 1942, per the U.S. World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942. At the time, he lived at 139 N Delaware Street, Marion, Indiana. He was 51 years old and not working. His birthdate was listed as 8 May 1891.
John William married Maude Bell Harbaugh on 25 June 1949 in Rochester, Fulton, Indiana, according to Indiana Marriages, 1810-2001. He was 58 years old at the time, born on 8 May 1891. His parents were listed as George W Applegate and Serilda White. Maude’s parents were listed as Hill Siegman and Bertha Sparks.
John William Applegate, born May 8, 1891, in Jackson, Indiana, married Maude Bell Harbaugh on June 25, 1949, in Fulton County, Indiana, according to Indiana Marriage Certificates. His parents were George W Applegate and Serilda White. At the time, he was 58 years old, and Charles Shambaugh officiated the wedding. John lived in Rochester, Fulton County, Indiana. The Indiana Select Marriages record confirms these details and shows that John was widowed when he married Maude.
He lived at RR #6, Rochester, Indiana, at the time and worked as a sales manager at Stewart Bakery. His parents were both deceased. He listed only one previous marriage and stated that it ended in 1937 by Death. He said he had no children.
Maude was born on 23 October 1904 in Indianapolis, Indiana. At the time of her marriage, she lived at 129 E. Ohio Street, Rochester, Indiana. She worked as a Tool Grinder with Allison Corp. in Indiana. Both of her parents were deceased. She had been married once before and divorced.
Based on information from the 1950 United States Federal Census, John W Applegate, a 58-year-old white male from Indiana, was the head of a household in Wayne, Marion, Indiana, in 1950. He lived with his 45-year-old wife, Maud B Applegate, at 4 Country Clent Rd.
John, unable to work, had not sought employment or worked the previous week. Despite his inability to work, his wife, Maud, who worked as a tool sharpener at an Airplane parts manufacturer, sustained the household. The couple’s life on the farm at this time was a testament to their resilience and commitment to each other.
According to Arizona County Marriage Records, John married Myrtle Edna Avery in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 19, 1961. He was 69 years old and lived at 1830 W. Culver St.
Myrtile was born September 24, 1907, and was 53 years old when they married. She was living at 1517 N. 17th Dr in Phoenix. She had divorced in Gila County, Arizona, in 1959.
Death
According to his Veterans BIRLS Death record, the Veterans Administration Master Index, and the Social Security Death Index, John lived in Phoenix, Arizona, before his death on 14 October 1977.
I am still looking for information on John William Applegate, but this is all I’ve found. If you knew John or are related to him and would like to share some memories of him, please leave your stories in the comments section below, and I’ll add them to this post. As always, I’ll update this post as I find additional information.
That’s all for now,
~Kris
