His mother was a concert pianist, singer and collector of fine art, who instilled in Arthur and his sister, Edith-Marie, her love of beautiful things.
Appleton entered Dartmouth College at age 16, receiving his degree from the Amos Tuck School of Business Administration and Finance in 1936.
[1] She gave up her acting career to raise a family and they had four children, James, John, Linda and Williams.
[1][3] Appleton joined the family business, which manufactured electrical products used in chemical and steel plants as well as indoor and outdoor lighting equipment.
[4] Appleton was interested in thoroughbred horse racing in Chicago and later in Florida; he served on the board of Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach.