Before he began earning a living from his writing, he was a bank clerk, farmer, lumberjack, factory-hand and a housing inspector for New York City. Appel married Sophie Marshak in 1936; they had three daughters.
Prior to becoming a writer, the individual held positions as a bank clerk, farmer, lumberjack, factory hand, and housing inspector in New York City. In 1936, he wedded Sophie Marshak; together, they had three daughters.