City of Mansfield plans activities to mark Johnny Appleseed's 250th birthday

Not everyone knows about Johnny Appleseed's strong ties to Mansfield.

Appleseed, whose real name was John Chapman, was a pioneer who introduced apple farming to many parts of the Midwest in the early 19th century.

Appleseed lived in Mansfield for about 20 years, coinciding with the War of 1812.

"Even when he lived in Indiana, he would come back to Mansfield for the winter for supplies," said Louis Andres, public works director for the city of Mansfield. "Most of his time was spent here in Mansfield even though he was traveling."

Andres said Appleseed had family in nearby Perrysville and considered Mansfield a central location for his works.

"I don't think people realize how big a role Mansfield played in Johnny Appleseed's legacy and life," he said.

Andres does recognize the city's role and has taken it a step further to help organize a celebration of Appleseed's life for his 250th birthday.

Andres was working on the project before new Mansfield Mayor Jodie Perry asked him to be public works director. He asked Perry if he could follow through with his Appleseed plans, and she agreed.

Andres is a member of the Rich History Alliance as well as chairman of the Historic Byway Committee with the Ohio Department of Transportation.

Appleseed's 250th birthday falls on Sept. 26

While the official birthday isn't until Sept. 26, the city of Mansfield planned to kick off its recognition of Appleseed's life on Arbor Day.

Four so-called Johnny Appleseed apple trees have been planted, at Central Park, Oak Hill Cottage, Kingwood Center Gardens and South Park.

Each tree is a genetic copy of the last surviving trees that can be attributed to having been planted by Appleseed. The source for the grafting wood (scion) is the Harvey-Algeo farm in Savannah.

A pop-up exhibit will be displayed on the square during downtown beautification in late May. Wood nickels, maps and other souvenirs will be available.

In addition, two traveling exhibits are being displayed, one at Kingwood and one at the municipal building. They will be rotated throughout the county later this year.

Andres said much of Appleseed's permanence in American culture can be attributed Disney.

Appleseed is the main protagonist from the "Legend of Johnny Appleseed" animated short from the 1948 Disney package film "Melody Time," which was also released as a standalone film on the "Wonderful World of Disney" (1954), the "Mouse Factory" (1972), the "Disney Family Album" (1984), the "Ink and Paint Club" (1997) and "Disney's American Legends" (2001).

"Disney really kind of spread the word about Johnny," Andres said. "My 9-year-old granddaughter knows Johnny Appleseed, and she's in California."

The real Appleseed often went barefoot and wore hand-me-downs. He was a strict vegetarian and very religious.

"It may seem strange to us, but back then it was considered eccentric," Andres said.

Appleseed showed that eccentricity during his time in Mansfield, as documented by author Mark Bodanza in his book "Johnny Appleseed: The Man Behind the Folklore."

More: Johnny Appleseed biography includes stories of his ties to Mansfield

When asked if people would have the same professions in heaven, Appleseed said they would.

A lawyer asked about his profession.

"You guys don't go to heaven," Appleseed said. "You are mired in mud and get to sling it at each other for eternity."

In another case, a traveling preacher asked for the location of the "barefoot Christian traveling to heaven."

Appleseed, who was lying on a piece of timber, lifted his foot in acknowledgement.

Eccentric.

mcaudill@gannett.com

419-521-7219

X: @MarkCau32059251

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Mansfield OH to celebrate Johnny Appleseed's 250th birthday in 2024