Person:Heinrich Apel (1)

Heinrich (Henry) August Apel was born on 17 Sept. 1858 in Germany. His parents were Ignatius Joseph Apel and Julia (or Julianna) (Hockhaus) Apel. Heinrich had at least six siblings.

His older brothers Franz and Charles immigrated to the U.S. in 1866, settling in Detroit, Michigan. Heinrich followed them in 1874 or 1875 (at about age 16 or 17), his passage paid by his two brothers. His father Ignatius had wanted to visit America but never did; he told Heinrich not to tell his mother he was going to America as she had already "lost" two sons that way.

Heinrich, going by the name "Henry" in the U.S., married Josephine Honora Clos (or Klos) in St. Anthony's Church in Detroit on 7 April 1883, when he was 26 and she 19. They had eleven children, all of whom were born in the same house Josephine was born in, and all of whom were baptized at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Detroit, the church the family attended. In 1930 the household also included a servant, Hattie Laudgraf, age 20 and born in Germany, and Henry's brother-in-law Joseph Clos, a day laborer.

Henry Apel became a naturalized U.S. citizen on 18 June 1889. Although he played piano, Henry was not a professional musician but did clerical work for the railroad company and by 1920 was a clerk in a candy factory. In the 1930 Census Henry is listed as retired. His wife Josephine died on 3 July 3 1930; Henry lived on another twenty years and died on 5 July 5 1950 at age 91.

1.   Oral history.

   The author interviewed the daughter of John Apel, Heinrich's son. The story about Heinrich's father wanting to visit America came from her.

2.   Letter and family tree by John Apel.

   These items are in the possession of the daughter of John Apel.

3.   Ancestry.com.

   Close, Mubine, and Brummel Family Trees

4.   U.S. Census.

   For the years 1910, 1920, 1930 and 1940.