ERASTUS W. APPELMAN

APPELMAN, VAN BUREN, PETTIT, WADE, KERWICK, LARRABEE, GROTEWAHL

Posted By: Mary Durr (email)
Date: 11/26/2002 at 14:08:09

ERASTUS W. APPELMAN

ERASTUS W. APPELMAN OF CLERMONT IS DEAD AT 73

E. W. Appelman died at 11:30 Monday forenoon, January 16, 1928, at the home of his daughter and her husband, Dr. and Mrs. Kerwick of Lawler, aged almost seventy-four years. His entire life except the first few months of his infancy was spent as a resident of Clermont, he being one of the most prominent men of this community. He was a brother of Mrs. A. M. Larrabee and E. H. Appelman. His death, resulting from cancer, had been foreseen for some time.

Erastus William Appelman was born in Mystic, Conn., March 27, 1854. He came to Iowa in the fall of 1854 with his parents, Capt. and Mrs. G. Appelman. Mr. Appelman has always resided in Clermont, and attended college at Ames, Iowa. After his work at Ames was concluded, he taught school here for several years.

On Aug. 7, 1877, he was united in marriage to Helen Elmira Van Buren, a direct descendant of President Van Buren, whose parents still reside in Arkansas.

Mr. Appelman was an engineer, and had charge of the construction of the famous high bridge near St. Paul. Later he entered the railway postal service, serving and making a marvelous record of efficiency for thirty-three years.

Since his retirement from the postal service, Mr. Appelman has been active in perfecting inventions. The invention of the Pullman vestibule, ditchless drain tile, and the perfecting of a submarine life saving device are among his most important.

Mr. Appelman was well versed in astronomy, mathematics, and foreign languages. He often tutored pupils during the vacation months, and was looked upon as an authority in all questions. He was fond of children, and often appeared on programs, stirring his audiences with his original conception of famous poems.

Mr. Appelman was a member of the Union Sunday school and the Episcopal church. He also was chaplain in the Masonic lodge for a number of years.

Besides his wife he leaves to mourn four daughters -- Mrs. R. L. Pettit of Champaign, Ill; Mrs. Leigh Wade of Anderson, Mo.; Mrs. J. Kerwick of Lawler, Iowa; and Miss Prudence Appelman of the Wesley Memorial hospital in Atlanta, Ga.; and four sons -- Roger of Warden, Mont.; Dudley of Eau Claire, Wis.; Fred of San Francisco, Calif.; and Van Buren of Enterprise.

He also leaves two sisters -- Mrs. William Larrabee, Sr., of Clermont, Mrs. Harry Grotewahl of Hartley, Iowa; and two brothers -- E. H. Appelman of Clermont and Franz Appelman of Eugene, Ore.

The above from last week's West Union Argo relates the life story of a man well know in Postville, a genial and jovial fellow who made friends wherever he formed acquaintances and all who knew him will learn of his passing with regret.

The funeral was held in Clermont last Thursday under Masonic auspices, his own son, Dudley Appelman of Eau Claire, Wis., officiating for the Clermont lodge.

Postville Herald newspaper clipping from my mother's obituary collection.