After further instruction at a private school run by Reverend D. A’Court, he passed the preliminary bar examination for solicitors and was articled to G.V.

In 1885 Gill became a crown solicitor and Appel continued the practice alone until 1887, when bad health forced him to Townsville.

During his time in the ministry, his most significant achievements were health legislation and codification of the Local Authorities Act.

He next became involved in the Queensland Farmers' Union, the forerunner of the Country Party, and led it in the Legislative Assembly from 1915 until 1918.

One of his homes, Windermere at Ascot, was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.