Jacob Appell, a ladies’ tailor and designer of ladies’ garments, conducting a successful and profitable business in New Haven, was born in Poland, Russia, [sic] May 20, 1875, a son of Abraham and Martha (Ginsberg) Appell, who spent their entire lives in Russia, where the father was a merchant. He passed away in that country but the mother is still living. In their family were four children: Louis, now a resident of New York; Mrs. Martha Framkin, of New York; Mrs. Sarah Zeblowith, of Russia; and Jacob of this review, who is the eldest of the family.

  In his boyhood days Jacob Appell attended the schools of Russia, after which he served an apprenticeship to the ladies’ tailoring and dress designing business. He had experience with several of the leading designers and dressmakers of Europe and was employed continuously along that line until 1896, when he determined to try his fortune in America and crossed the Atlantic to New York city. There he secured a position as a designer with the firm of Hickson & Company and remained as their head designer until August 22, 1911, when he was induced to come to New Haven for the William Hamilton Company to occupy a similar position with that firm. He has since remained in New Haven and after continuing with the William Hamilton Company for a year he established business on his own account, securing exclusive quarters on York street. He soon became New Haven’s foremost designer of ladies’ gowns and suits and he now bears the reputation of being one of the most expert in designing women’s costumes in the New England states. In fact, he has many customers who come to him from New York and other cities and his trade is most exclusive, his patronage being drawn from the leading families of New Haven and this section of the country.

  On the 25th of December, 1897, Mr. Appell was united in marriage to Miss Ida Carvitz, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Carvitz, of New York city. They have become parents of five children: Samuel, who was born in New York city in 1898 and was graduated from the New Haven high school; Celia, who was born in November, 1901, and is attending school in New Haven; Harry, born in 1903 and now a high school pupil in New Haven; Rose, who was born in New York in 1907; and Morris, who was born in New York in 1910. The younger children are now also in school.

  Mr. Appell is a member of many Jewish clubs and charitable organizations. He is identified with Herat Lodge and also with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has social qualities which render him popular with a large circle of friends, while in business circles he has won for himself a most creditable position. Efficiency has been his watch-word, and his study and experience have led to the development of his natural intuition and good taste as the years have passed, until he stands today as one of the foremost designers of ladies’ clothing in New England.