However, not all heroes conquered the frontier with force. Johnny Appleseed, or John Chapman (his proper name), settled the frontier by growing trees, not chopping them down. His hard efforts helped provide essential vitamins and liquids in the harsh frontier. Our common myths state that he wandered the frontier, befriending settlers, Native Americans, and animals along the way. While travelling, he randomly scattered apple seeds, letting food and hope grow for the settlers. What is not as commonly known is that he was a shrewd businessman. He grew orchards all over the frontier, wandering orchard to orchard, and donated his profits.
John Chapman was born on September 26th, 1774 in Massachusetts, right before the American Revolution. At the age of 23, he ventured out west, and planted his first orchard near the Allegheny River, near Warren, Pennsylvania. From there, he attempted to predict where the settlers would head next. After asking around for prospective locations, he headed there, along with a canoe full of apple seeds. He planted an orchard, and by the time the settlers arrived, the trees were a few years old. John Chapman would sell the trees for a low price, and slowly began to establish his business. He would spend some of the earnings, but would give the rest to the church and the needy. As his business grew bigger, he recruited a few local settlers to tend for the orchards. In the end, John Chapman died a wealthy man, with many orchards spread across the frontier.John Chapman was a sight of strangeness to the settlers who welcomed him into their homes as well. Stories say that he wore a sack for clothes, sticking his arms and legs through holes. For a hat to cover him from the elements, a tin pot served Chapman well. Another chararacteristic that astonished the settlers was Chapman's shoes, or lack of them. Sun or rain, summer or winter, Chapman traveled barefoot. The children he saw were amused by Chapman touching hot coals with his heavily calloused feet without flinching.
In addition to his looks, his habits were an anomaly to the frontier as well. Unlike most of the settlers, who depended on meat from game to survive, Chapman was a strict vegetarian. He attempted to be kind to animals, even saving a wolf from a trap. After nursing the wolf back to help, Chapman gained a lifelong companion.Not only was he a friend of animals, but he befriended the Native Americans as well. Unlike the classic stories of Americans and Native Americans viciously killing each other, Chapman traveled back and forth in peace between the two peoples. In fact, he placed blame on the settlers for the hostilites based on the mistreatment of Native Americans. However, during the War of 1812, when the Native Americans allied with Britain in order to attack American settlers, Chapman sided on the side of the settlers. One account states that he ran 30 miles in order to warn Americans of a planned massacre. As a result, John Chapman saved countless lives.
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John Chapman was born on September 26th, 1774 in Massachusetts, right before the American Revolution. At the age of 23, he ventured out west, and planted his first orchard near the Allegheny River, near Warren, Pennsylvania. From there, he attempted to predict where the settlers would head next. After asking around for prospective locations, he headed there, along with a canoe full of apple seeds. He planted an orchard, and by the time the settlers arrived, the trees were a few years old. John Chapman would sell the trees for a low price, and slowly began to establish his business. He would spend some of the earnings, but would give the rest to the church and the needy. As his business grew bigger, he recruited a few local settlers to tend for the orchards. In the end, John Chapman died a wealthy man, with many orchards spread across the frontier.John Chapman was a sight of strangeness to the settlers who welcomed him into their homes as well. Stories say that he wore a sack for clothes, sticking his arms and legs through holes. For a hat to cover him from the elements, a tin pot served Chapman well. Another chararacteristic that astonished the settlers was Chapman's shoes, or lack of them. Sun or rain, summer or winter, Chapman traveled barefoot. The children he saw were amused by Chapman touching hot coals with his heavily calloused feet without flinching.
In addition to his looks, his habits were an anomaly to the frontier as well. Unlike most of the settlers, who depended on meat from game to survive, Chapman was a strict vegetarian. He attempted to be kind to animals, even saving a wolf from a trap. After nursing the wolf back to help, Chapman gained a lifelong companion.Not only was he a friend of animals, but he befriended the Native Americans as well. Unlike the classic stories of Americans and Native Americans viciously killing each other, Chapman traveled back and forth in peace between the two peoples. In fact, he placed blame on the settlers for the hostilites based on the mistreatment of Native Americans. However, during the War of 1812, when the Native Americans allied with Britain in order to attack American settlers, Chapman sided on the side of the settlers. One account states that he ran 30 miles in order to warn Americans of a planned massacre. As a result, John Chapman saved countless lives.
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