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Johnny Appleseed was born in Leominster, Massachusetts, on September 26,
1774.
His real name was John Chapman, he was called Johnny Appleseed
because of his love for growing apple trees.
Johnny Appleseed died on March 18 in 1845 at the age of 70 in Fort Wayne,
Indiana, where he also is buried. He had
spent 50 years of his life travelling round several States.
In those days there was a law which required
each settler to plant 50 apple trees the first year, so Johnny Appleseed
found out how to help these pioneers. He realized that there was a real
need and an opportunity for service in supplying seeds and seedlings.
Moving ahead of the pioneers, Johnny Appleseed
started many
nurseries throughout the Midwest planting the seeds which he bought from
cider mills in Pennsylvania. Later on he became the owner of many nurseries in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Illinois,
and Indiana, where he grew his beloved apple trees, so it was easier for
him to supply apple seeds to
the pioneers in the mid-western USA.
In those days transportation was difficult, so apples became a practical necessity in the early
settlers diets.
Johnny Appleseed Chapman spread religion as well as apples!
He was a deeply religious man, who shared his religious tracts and his Bible with the
settlers who listened to him.
He was also accepted as a peacemaker between the
Indians and the settlers.
It is possible today to
follow his path through the East and Midwest because it is dotted
with many monuments to the memory of this man who fulfilled the Biblical
requirements "To Do Justly, To Love Mercy and To Walk Humbly With His
God."
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