Antoinette was born September 27 1887 to Theodore and Antoinette Mohrstadt Wuthenow. The birth is listed in the City of St. Louis birth records and the place of birth was 900 Old Manchester Road in St, Louis, the family home. Theodore ran a successful grocery and the family lived in the apartment in the rear of the store.
Antoinette 3 Year Old
She was raised at 4339 McRee Ave
Wuthenow Home
The family led a comfortable life thanks to her father’s
successful grocery store
Antoinette 1907
17 year old
17 year old
The family was able to travel and in 1909 went to Danville
Illinois which was the boyhood home of her father.
Anna and Antoinette 1909
Danville Illinois
Danville Illinois
Later in her life she often spoke of attending the St. Louis World Fair in 1904.
Cascade Garden
St. Louis World Fair
St. Louis World Fair
For recreation Antoinette and her sister would take the street
car to swim at the resort at Creve Coeur Lake
Olga, Nettie, Anna 1909
Antoinette worked as a telephone operator before she was married.
This would lead to the hearing problems she would have later in life. She is seen here at the switchboard in an office.
Antoinette told of Ralph Appel courting her in Shaw's Garden which at the time was much larger and reached close to her home. The house is still standing north of highway 44 in St. Louis. They were married May 18, 1912.
Antoinette
Two sons were born to this couple, Ralph Martin in 1913 and Theodore Kofoed Appel in 1914. The children middle names Martin and Kofoed were from their father's maternal grandfather Martin Kofoed. The 1920 Census has them living on Taylor Avenue
Antoinette with Ralph and Theodore
After she married Ralph Apple they also live an comfortable life for many years while the oil company was doing well. They had a nice home at 3007 North Taylor and it was here they raised the two boys. The 1930 census list the home value at 3600 and notes that they owned a radio set. At some point there was a large explosion involving the oil company and the couple spent all of their resources paying for damages from it. They lost the home in 1935 and lived in a series of flats in North St. Louis.
Appel Home 3007 North Taylor
Following the death of her husband in 1949, Antoinette lived with one of her sons, often alternating six months at each home.
Antoinette with Grandson David
While living with her son Ralph, she would often walk the mile to downtown Ferguson to do her shopping. She often bought treats for her grandchildren.
Antoinette 1970
Antoinette died November 7th 1975 after a short illness at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis. She was buried at Memorial Park, St. Louis County Missouri
Appel Memorial
Memorial Park
St. Louis County Missouri
Memorial Park
St. Louis County Missouri