John S. Apperson

John Samuel Apperson Jr.[1] (6 April 1878 – 1 February 1963), known as Appie,[2] was a General Electric engineer best known for his role in the protection of the Adirondack Forest Preserve.

After World War I he moved into a management position in Engineering General, where he dealt with coordination of the difficult orders for the many branches of the company.

He was prominent in working with NYS to acquire lands in the High Peaks and around Lake George for inclusion in the Forest Preserve.

During the earliest years of the twentieth century, Apperson developed a powerful modus operendi utilizing an officially registered NYS 'front' organization with a recognized title and ostensibly, a wide membership.

Under this umbrella organization, Apperson gained a degree of unanimity as well as an implied widespread assemblage of like-minded citizens whose influence he could wield as the situation demanded.