HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY KENTUCKY, by Robert Peter, ed. by William H. 
Perrin, O. L. Baskin Co., Chicago, 1882.  Reprinted by Southern 
Historical Press, Easley, SC, 1979.
Page 554
JOHN W. APPLETON, merchant, Lexington, is the oldest of three children born 
to his parents, Joseph and Holly (True) Appleton.
His father was born in New Jersey, but came to Fayette County, Ky., when 
a boy; became a carpenter and a cultivator of a small farm.
Married a native of Scott County, who died in 1833, the widower surviving 
till 1849.
Besides John W., there is living a sister, now Mrs. B. F. Thompson.
Our subject was born November 10, 1823, about five miles from Lexington; 
lived on the farm till he was nineteen, and stayed in the vicinity till 
he was twenty-three years of age; then went to Bourbon County, and was 
clerk in a general store at Centerville for about two years; next he clerked 
in the grocery of Mr Zimmerman, in Lexington, and after a couple of years' 
service, became the partner of Mr. Zimmerman, and the manager of a general 
store at Arnold's Station, on the Lexington, Frankfort & Louisville 
Railroad; but after some two years there, he closed out the business at 
that place, returned to Lexington and sold goods for Johnson & Zimmerman 
till Johnson bought out the whole business, and a new firm of Zimmerman & 
Appleton was formed, about 1855, in the wholesale and retail dry goods trade.
On May 22, 1856, Mr. Appleton married Miss Kate H. Webb, of Lexington, and 
continued in business with Mr. Zimmerman till the war broke out, when the 
stock was closed out, and he was out of business for about two years.
Then he became a party in the purchase of the business of Dudley Craig, and 
the firm of Hampton & Appleton lasted seven weeks, when, Craig having 
bought back an interest, the style was changed to Craig & Appleton, which 
partnership lasted eleven months, Appleton, in 1864, selling out his interest.
In July of the following year, however, he again went into the dry goods 
trade as senior partner in the firm of Appleton & Lancaster, and has so 
continued to the present time, being the head of a large commercial 
establishment, and owing his position solely to his own efforts, as he 
began without any capital.
Industrious, preserving, and of strict integrity, he is a fine sample of 
a good business man;' and, as a citizen, he is an active participant in 
all projects for the public good; a contributor to enterprises for the 
general advancement, and ready at all times to throw his influence on the 
side of truth and justice.
Formerly a Whig, and later a Republican.
He belongs to the Baptist Church, of which he is one of the most generous 
supporters, and in which he has held such offices as may be filled by a 
layman.
For years he has been a member of the fraternity of Odd Fellows, and has 
occupied all the chairs of his lodge.
He has three children: Henry W., Emma R. and John W.
Appleton True Thompson Zimmerman Johnson Webb Craig Hampton Lancaster
=
NJ Scott-KY Bourbon-KY

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/fayette/appleton.jw.txt