Apt, Charles H.

The following data is extracted from A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans.

Charles H. Apt first came to Kansas in the weeks following the first election of Grover Cleveland for the presidency. He had already been thoroughly trained and for a time had practiced law in Ohio, and deciding upon a location in Kansas, he transferred his professional interests to this state and for more than thirty years had been a successful lawyer, had acquired a large amount of farming interests, and is one of the best known citizens of Iola. He is now head of the law firm of Apt & Apt, having a son in partnership with him.

The Apt family originated in Switzerland. Mr. Apt's grandfather, Henry Apt, was born in Pennsylvania, probably of Swiss parentage, followed the business of carder and wool worker, and died at Basil in Fairfield County, Ohio.

Frederick W. Apt, father of Charles H., was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in 1824, but when a boy was taken to Fairfield County, Ohio. He grew up and married there, and was a blacksmith by trade. In 1861 he enlisted for service in the Union army, but in a short time was discharged. In 1863 he removed to Indiana and soon afterward again enlisted, this time in the Eighty-seventh Indiana Infantry. He remained in the service until the close of the war, and suffered such hardships and exposure that he was taken seriously ill before being brought home. He was at Washington at the time of the Grand Review, but was not able to march in the procession. He was carried home on August 22, 1865, and died the following September 12. His death occurred at Kewanna, Indiana. He had become a republican during the war, and was a member of the German Reformed Church. Frederick W. Apt married Eliza Lytton, who was born in Northern England in 1834 and died at Kewanna, Indiana, in 1895. Her parents came to this country when she was very young, and her mother settled in Fairfield County, Ohio. Her father died either while at sea or shortly after the arrival in America. Frederick W. Apt and wife had only two children: Charles H. and Elmer E. The latter is a contractor and builder of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Frederick W. Apt married for her second husband Abel Graham. He is also deceased. One son by that union was Perry, now a farmer near Kewanna, Indiana.

While his parents were living in Fairfield County, Ohio, Charles H. Apt was born July 15, 1860. He had little recollection of his father, as he was only five years of age at the time of the soldier's death. He began his education in the schools of Kewanna, Indiana, but in 1867 his mother returned to Fairfield County, Ohio, and partly by his own efforts and partly by such means as the family could afford he acquired a liberal education. He attended public school in Ohio, and in 1880 graduated from the Ohio Northern University at Ada, with the degree A. B. He also spent one year in the Ohio State University, taking a course in civil engineering. Mr. Apt had his law course in the Cincinnati Law School, where he was graduated LL. B. in 1884. Admitted to the bar in that year, he began practice at Columbus, Ohio, on July 1, and continued a member of the bar of that city until after the election in November.

On coming to Kansas he visited Topeka, Wichita and Wellington, and in January, 1885, located his professional headquarters at Pratt. From March, 1885, until June 1, 1904, he was successfully engaged in practice at Pratt, and since the latter date had lived in Iola. He still looks after his extensive clientage in the civil and criminal branches of the law, his offices being at 7½ West Madison Avenue.

Mr. Apt had been prospered in a business way and owned some of the best farming land of Pratt County, divided into three different tracts, consisting respectively of 160, 320 and 640 acres, altogether 1,120 acres. He also owned his residence at 222 South Oak Street in Iola, and is on the board of directors of the State Savings Bank of Iola.

Mr. Apt is a democrat. He belongs to the Presbyterian Church, and while at Pratt he assisted in organizing Kilwinning Lodge, No. 265, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and still had his membership there. He belongs to Wichita Consistory, No. 2, of the Scottish Rite, to Iola Lodge, No. 43, Knights of Pythias, of which he is past chancellor commander, and had filled all the chairs several times. Other fraternal relations are with Ninnestah Camp, No. 1275, Modern Woodmen of America, at Pratt; with Iola Camp, No. 101, Woodmen of the World; and with the Kansas Fraternal Citizens. Mr. Apt is a member of the Kansas State Bar Association.

On December 26, 1887, at Cincinnati, Ohio, he married Miss Blanche Gazlay, daughter of Carter and Lizzie (Emerson) Gazlay. Both her parents are now deceased, and her father for many years practiced law at Cincinnati, Ohio, and in Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Apt are the parents of two children: Frederick G. and Elizabeth.

Frederick G. Apt was born at Pratt, Kansas, July 2, 1889, was educated in the public schools at Iola, where he attended high school, and in 1910 finished the law course in the University of Kansas, attaining the degree LL. B. While in university he became affiliated with the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Greek letter fraternity. Admitted to the bar in 1910, he returned to Iola and had carried on a general practice as junior member of the firm of Apt & Apt. He also owned a good farm of eighty acres in Neosho County. Frederick G. Apt is a republican, a member of the Presbyterian Church, of Iola Lodge No. 38, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and is a director in the State Savings Bank of Iola. He is unmarried.

Source: A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans

  Go Back