He was married November 4, 1847 to Lieutetia Logan Summers, oldest daughter of William G. Summers, a pioneer farmer living near Ash Grove.  He lacked a few months of being 21 while his bride was about nineteen and a half years of age.   At that time his capital was "a horse and ten dollars." He lived, alternately in Polk and Greene Counties, farming and trading.

About 1854, he bought a farm in Cass township adjoing the present town of Harold, in the south-west.  He lived there about nine years and in partnership with his brother, John Bell, did a profitable business, buying and driving mules South.  At one time in  his life, in partnership with John G. Perryman, he bought and drove oxen to Independence, Missouri, to sell them for freighting on the old Santa Fe Trail.

During the Civil War he was known as a southern sympathizer which accounted for a midnight visit from the "home guard", who robbed him of about $50, and who also took his nickels and dimes  the boys had saved up.  During the War he moved to Springfield and lived for a time, a short distance south west of Miller's Spring in the neighborhood of the woolen factory this has since been located there.

At the close of the War, he moved farm named the George Regg's place near Willard, MO.  Here he and Julian Edmonston, (who had married his cousin) lived for a time in the same house.  In the spring of 1861_(?), he found himself on the old William Summers farm in Sec. 189, 15 and 22, tshp.39, range 22. two miles north east of Ash Grove and one half mile west of Kelley School House.

Owing to losses due to bad mule notes in the South, a 2900 (no indication if this amount was 29.00 or 2900.) security debt which he paid for his Uncle Christy McElhannon, and the loss of his only slave, a negro girl named Emeline, for whom he refused and offer of 9100 (no indication if this amount was 91.00 or 9100.),but probably the lesser amount.), because she would not consent to the sale (to a neighbor), he found himself in very reduced circumstances.

In the next ten years he had all his debts, 100cents on the dollar, and died March 8, 1876 having an estate of over 500 acres in addition to some personal property.  He was a man of more than usual brightness and enterprise.  He was one of the state officers of the Grange and a bright Master Mason.  He led in the organization of companies  to develop the mineral wealth around Ash Grove. 

He was formerly an Old School Presbyterian, but became a Cumberland Presbyterian and died a ruling elder in that church, being a charter member of the Kelley School House class, which later became the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Ash Grove.   He was a Democrat, but in 1860 voted for Bell and Everett. (John Bell was a cousin).  He was help in the Union Camp at Cassville, Mo., as a Prisoner of War before the battle of Pea Ridge.

He was buried at Kelley School House with Masonic honors, by the Cave Spring Lodge.  Dr. T. W. Catrane being Master.  The funeral sermon was preached several months later by the Rev. W. Garrett of Greenfield.

He was the father of nine children, the oldest being a girl.  Only four survived infancy.  They were Thomas Renshaw, James William Bell, Alonzo Sustan and Andrew Benjamin. 

The above account is taken from my father's (Andrew Benjamin Appleby's) records.  My Uncle James William Bell was always called Bell Appleby.  My Uncle Alonzo Sustan was called Sus Appleby.     (signed) Emma Appleby