The Biographical Dictionary of America/Appleton, John Adams

APPLETON, John Adams, publisher, was born in Boston, Mass., Jan. 9, 1817, second son of Daniel and Hannah (Adams) Appleton. He spent a part of his early manhood in Michigan, and returned to New York to take the position of head salesman in his father's business. In 1848 he was admitted to partnership, and weighty questions of finance or policy were generally referred to him. His duties were general, and no part of the vast establishment escaped his watchful eye. Mr. Appleton brought his two sons, Daniel and Edward D., into the business as soon as their education was completed, Daniel being admitted as a partner in 1880 and Edward Dale in 1884. The tablet to the memory of John A. Appleton in St. John's church, Stapleton, Staten Island, of which he was senior warden, was erected by the members of the church, and the friends and employes of the firm of D. Appleton & Co., New York. He died at his home on Staten Island, July 13, 1881.