John Chapman was the real name of "Johnny Appleseed." He was really an American pioneer. He was born on September 26, 1774 in the midst of apple trees surrounding his home in Leominster, Massachusetts. Apple trees were brought to the American colonies from England by the settlers in the 1600's.
John Chapman's first years were very hard. His mother died when he was only two years old and his father left the family to fight in the Revolutionary War.
As soon as he was old enough to leave home, he headed west to the Allegheny Mountains. He took with him his apple seeds. In the mountains he cleared land to plant apple orchards.
Watching apples grow inspired Johnny to love nature and all the animals in it. Some people said he could even talk to the animals.
He was a wonderful friend to the Indians. The Indians found him nearly dead in the snow one time and they nursed him back to health.
Throughout his life, Johnny kept moving westward into areas thinly settled by white people. In each community he planted apple orchards. In his travels, Johnny would sometimes stop at a farm and work for only his meals and a place to sleep. He would always leave some apple seeds for the farmer to plant. Later he would return to these orchards to get more seeds.
Many legends grew about Johnny and he became a folk hero. He covered the Ohio River valley and made his way as far west as northern Indiana, where he died of pneumonia in the late 1830's. He was buried at Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Today there is a "Johnny Appleseed Festival" in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the last
weekend in September. We can always think of him when we see the many apple orchards
throughout the United States.
This page was created by Jordon O'Niel Cahow Age 13 1/2 for Johnson's Orchards