1914: William Appel

William Appel, Tavistock

William Martin Appel was born in Lingelbach, Germany on January 28, 1866 and emigrated with his parents to Canada as a young boy. The family settled in North Easthope Township and later moved to Tavistock in 1880.

His first commercial venture was a harness and saddlery business in Milverton, where he served on the School Board and Village Council. An interest in the flax industry resulted in a move to Tavistock in 1900 where he joined in partnership with Valentine Stock managing The Tavistock Flax Co.

In 1904-1905 and 1907-1908 he served as Councillor for South Easthope Township. Following incorporation of Tavistock in 1909, he served on the Village Council, being elected as Reeve from 1911-1917.  In 1914, he was elected County Warden.  

Mr. Appel was active in the Tavistock School Board, Public Library Board, Tavistock Agricultural Society, the Board of Trade, and Public Utilities Committee. He also served as President of the Young Liberal Club, was Secretary of the South Perth Reform Association and President of the North Oxford Reform Association.

Over the years his business ventures evolved from harness making and flax milling, to real estate, to selling insurance, and even included a few years as publisher of the local newspaper, the Tavistock Gazette. In 1918, he was no longer in public office, and by 1920, he had returned to Milverton to start a new flax business.

William Appel passed away on June 22, 1930 and is buried in Greenwood Cemetery, in Milverton, Ontario.