USA > Ohio > Knox County > Past and present of Knox County, Ohio, Vol. I > Part 39
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way at the Ohio state constitutional convention. He also-best work of all- assisted in the organization of the Republican party in Ohio.
Judge West died but a few years ago, and was way past his four score years in age, really dropping off like a well ripened ear of corn late in the autumntime of his useful life.
A NOTED CHARACTER-"JOHNNY APPLESEED."
John Chapman (usually known as "Johnny Appleseed") was associated with the pioneer band of Knox county in many ways, but perhaps will be long- est remembered by everyone who raises fruit in this section of Ohio, for it was this truly good, but eccentric man who made it his business to gather and scatter in settlements here and there, throughout Ohio, Indiana and other states, tens of thousands of apple seeds, which finally gave this county and others a good start in fine varieties of apples. There are trees yet growing in Knox county that owe their existence to the good, thoughtful man.
"Who sows a field, or trains a flower, Or plants a tree, is more than all."
Mr. Chapman certainly deserves a place in history. His whole life was given to what he believed the public good, without regard to personal feelings or hope of reward. Not once in a century can such a character be found to write about. There never was, in fact, but one "Johnny Appleseed," and he lived a life so peculiarly isolated, and withal so worthy, that his name should be perpetuated.
Mr. Chapman was a native of Massachusetts. His father, Nathaniel Chapman, emigrated from the vicinity of Springfield to Marietta, Ohio, at a very early day, about the beginning of the nineteenth century. He had a large family and they all came with him but John, the eldest child. The date of John's birth is not known for certain, but "as early as 1780 he was seen in the autumn, for two or three successive years, along the banks of the Potomac, in eastern Virginia," writes C. S. Coffinberry. He must have been quite a young man at that time and was following the same calling that so distin- guished him in later years. It is believed that he came west ahead of his father and followed planting apple seeds in western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio.
Why he left his native state and came west to devote his life to spreading apple seeds was never known to anyone, not even his friends-he knew, and that was enough, he said. Possibly his mind might have been impaired some- what, but, usually speaking, he seemed bright enough and was certainly good beyond the average mortal.
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So kind and simple was his heart that he was equally welcome with the Indians or pioneers, and even the wild animals of the forest seemed to have an understanding with Johnny, and never molested him. He was rather below the average height, wiry, quick in action and conversation, nervous and rest- less in his motions; eyes dark and sparkling ; hair and beard generally quite long, but occasionally cut very short ; dress scanty, and generally ragged and patched; generally barefooted and frequently bareheaded; however, always wearing some old shoes, sandals or moccasins in very cold weather, and an old hat some one had probably cast off. He was frequently seen with an old tin pan or pot on his head, that served the double purpose of hat and mush-pot, with a very broad visor to protect his eyes from the sun.
Johnny's diet was indeed very simple, consisting of milk, when it was to be obtained, potatoes and other vegetables, fruits and meats; but never any veal, as he said this should be a land flowing with milk and honey, and the calves should be spared. He would not touch tea, coffee or tobacco, as he felt that these were luxuries in which it was wicked and injurious to indulge. He was averse to the taking of life. even that of any animal or insect, and never indulged in hunting with a gun.
He thought himself a messenger sent into the wilderness to prepare the way for the people, as John the Baptist was sent to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord, hence he made it a part of his duty to keep in advance of civilization. He gathered his appleseeds, little by little, from the cider presses of western Pennsylvania and, putting them carefully in leathern bags, he transported them, sometimes on his back, and other times on the back of his horse or mule, to the Ohio river, where he usually secured a boat, and brought them to the mouth of the Muskingum, and up that stream, planting them in wild secluded spots along its numerous tributaries. Later.in life he continued his calling farther to the west. When his trees were ready for sale he usually left them in charge of some trusty pioneer to sell for him. The price was low, a "flippant-bit" apiece, rarely paid in money, and if the people were too poor to purchase, the young apple trees were freely donated to them.
One or two of his nurseries were located on Owl creek, and many of his orchards were scattered over Knox, Richland and Ashland counties.
. One of his best nurseries was located at the old "Indian Fields," on the north bank of Owl creek, directly west of Center run, and another on the ground where later years James Forest had his pottery. As late as 1880 some of these trees were still bearing their annual good fruitage. Other orchards of his planting were in Milford township along the banks of the Kokosing river. His residence in this county was during the period of the war of 1812- 14 and later.
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During the war of 1812-14 he was very earnest and thoughtful concern- ing the safety of the settlers and was looked upon as the true friend of the women and children while the men were away in that war. He never shrank from danger or personal hardship where the settlers were in danger. He hap- pened to be at Mansfield when Jones was killed, and immediately volunteered to go to Fredericktown and Mt. Vernon for help, as it was supposed a large body of Indians were lurking about the blockhouse and about to make an at- tack; and that they had probably committed murders in the neighborhood. Speaking of this dangerous trip, an early pioneer remarked once that "Al- though but a child, I can remember as if it were but yesterday the warning cry of Johnny Appleseed, as he stood before my father's log cabin door on that might. I remember the precise language, the clear, loud voice, the deliberate exclamation and the fearful thrill it awoke in my bosom. 'Fly! fly for your lives ; the Indians are murdering and scalping at Mansfield.' These were his words. My father sprang to the door, but the messenger had gone, and mid- night silence reigned without."
While this was but an Indian scare, he was faithful and innocently be- lieved there was danger. Many of the settlers hurried away, leaving all be- hind them and sought the blockhouse at once. Thus he went from one cabin to another along the entire route.
A reliable author says that Mr. Chapman was a regularly constituted minister of the church of the New Jerusalem, according to the revelations of Emanuel Swedenborg. He was also a constituted missionary of that faith under the sanction of the church at Boston, Massachusetts. He always carried a supply of tracts in his packets and took great delight in distributing the same in the humble cabin homes.
That he was closely identified with the early history of Mt. Vernon as will be seen by the following document now on record in the court house :
"John Chapman to
"Jesse B. Thomas.
"Know all men by these presents that I, John Chapman (by occupation a gatherer and planter of apple seeds), residing in Richland county, for the sum of thirty dollars, honest money, do hereby grant to said Jesse B. Thomas. late senator from Illinois, his heirs and assigns forever, lot No. 145 in the corporation limits of the village of Mt. Vernon, State of Ohio."
This deed was given in 1828. The lot is on Main street and very valuable today. He also owned other lots in the village.
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Besides scattering apple seeds, he also scattered many wild vegetables, which he believed contained medicinal properties. He commenced to operate in Indiana, about Lafayette, in 1836 and continued ten years.
In 1847, being within ten miles of his nursery on the St. Joseph river, word was brought to him that cattle had broken into the nursery and were destroying his trees, and he immediately started for the place. When he ar- rived he was greatly fatigued; being quite advanced in years, the journey proved too much for him. He lay down that night, never to rise. A fever settled in and in a few days he passed away. "We buried him," says Mr. Worth, "in David Archer's graveyard, two and a half miles north of Fort Wayne."
Thus ended the wonderful career of a strange character, who made the wilderness better for his touching it in its wildest state.
DANIEL DECATUR EMMETT. By Rev. William E. Hull.
This actor is known in stageland, when the home of his birth, and the mound of his grave is unknown. So, too, a song may continue to thrill and gladden, though the name of the author is not remembered and his last rest- ing place is obscure.
Who has not heard "Dixie," if music has had any power to charm. Yet, no doubt, the great majority may never have heard of the place of the author's birth or the name of the minstrel himself.
Daniel Decatur Emmett was born in a humble home at the northwest corner of Mulberry and Front streets in Mount Vernon, Ohio, October 29, 1815. His ancestors were of Irish descent. They were among the pioneers of Virginia, but, led by the course of empire westward, they entered the new state of Ohio, at that time almost a wilderness, by way of Wheeling.
Emmett's grandfather, John Emmett, who came from Augusta county, Virginia, was a soldier of the Revolution. His father, Abraham Emmett, was early apprenticed to a blacksmith, but at the breaking out of the war of 1812 entered the army and did creditable service. After the close of the war he married Sarah Zerick in Clinton, then the county seat of Knox county. To them were born two sons and three daughters. Daniel was the oldest of the children. His early education was of course very limited, as the public school system had not yet been formulated. At the early age of thirteen he began work in the printing office of the Huron Reflector, published at Norwalk, Ohio, but soon returned to Mount Vernon, where he worked on the Western Aurora, then published by C. P. Bronson. It is probable that Mr. Bronson
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brought young Emmett back to Mount Vernon, as Bronson lived at Norwalk before coming to Mount Vernon.
The Emmetts were a musical family. Daniel's sister. Martha, after- wards became a music teacher. About the year 1830 or 1831, Emmett, when fifteen or sixteen years old, composed "Old Dan Tucker," a song that gained wide publicity. "Tucker" was the name of his father's dog and "Dan" his own. Neither the sentiments of the song nor its title indicate much continuity.
He entered the army at the age of seventeen, as a fifer, but was dis- charged July 8. 1835. "by process of civil authority on account of his minority .*
He then traveled with circus shows, as a musician, and continued to exercise his musical genius upon different instruments, and also became an expert drummer. He was associated at different times with Spaulding and Rogers, Samuel Stickney, Seth Horne and Dan Rice.
His next venture in the early forties was the first organization of negro minstrelsy. C. B. Galbreath, state librarian at Columbus, Ohio, Emmett's biographer, says: "The first troupe was organized in New York city at the boarding place of Mr. Emmett, on Catherine street, in February or March of 1843. The parties participating were 'Dan' Emmett, Frank Brower, 'Billy' Whitlock and 'Dick' Pelham. Emmett played the violin, Whitlock the banjo, Brower the bones and Pelham the tambourine. After practicing for some time they made their appearance on the Bowery. The costumes for the occa- sion, designed by Emmett, included white trousers, striped calico shirt and blue calico coat, the latter made dress suit style with elongated tails. At the conclusion of the opening chorus the crowd became quiet and attentive. Brow- er's funny song made them howl with delight. Whitlock's voice had a like effect. Emmett then sang and the little room went into an uproar of ap- plause."
The performance was so well received that soon the quartet was organized as the "Virginia Minstrels" and called to the stage. The company made a hit at Boston as well as New York. A trip to Europe was arranged, but it did not meet with success across the water. When they returned other min- strel companies were in the field. Mr. Emmett accompanied some of the cir- cus troupes in summers for a time, and played in the winter in the city.
In 1857 he became associated with the Bryant Brothers, proprietors of a minstrel show on Broadway, and continued with them until 1865 as musician and composer in both Irish and negro dialects, but especially the latter, in which he wrote walk-rounds, hymns and sermons. The music to songs and hymns was at times old familiar ones, others he composed himself.
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In the spring of 1859 Jerrie Bryant came to him one Saturday evening after the performance was over and requested a new walk-round and that he should bring it to rehearsal Monday. The next day was Sunday and a rainy day, and looking out of the window he thought of the "Sunny South," then turned to his table, sat down and composed the tune "Dixie," and in an hour had both tune and words. Monday night it was produced and took im- mensely, beyond all expectation. Finally the Confederate soldiers adopted it as their national air, which accelerated its wide popularity.
Mr. Emmett traveled all over the United States with famous minstrel troupes, and the minstrel parts of circuses, and was the favorite minstrel wherever he went. Later he arranged the music for orchestras, writing the music of the different parts in separate books with his quill (he never used anything else) with artistic finish. His mastery of the writing of words and music was as distinguished as the eminence of his success in minstrelsy.
The Bryants disbanded in 1865, and Mr. Emmett went to Chicago, where he followed his vocation as musician and played in various theaters, at one time conducting and managing a stage of his own, and during this time once had in his company Al G. Field, who continued his fast friend ever afterward. In the year 1888 he quit the stage, at the age of seventy-three, and a longing for his old boyhood haunts brought him back to Mount Vernon, Ohio, to round out his declining days.
The name of his first wife was Katherine Rives, born in New York city April 15, 1829, and died in Chicago May 3, 1875, and buried in Mound View cemetery at Mount Vernon. The marriage occurred about 1852. On October 16, 1879. at Chicago, he married a second time, Mrs. Mary Louise Bird, whose maiden name was Brower, with two children by her former husband. Mr. Emmett never had any children of his own, but between him and these daughters there was the warmest affection.
Upon leaving the old associations of his professional life he had a desire to get away from the busy haunts of men, and, against the pleadings of his family, he came to Mt. Vernon and secured board a mile north of town, near lands owned by his grandfather and upon which his mother was born, and on July 5, 1888, purchased an acre of ground adjoining and had erected thereon a cabin home. Mrs. Emmett came later, but so few comforts were to be had in the little home that she returned to Chicago.
In limited means Mr. Emmett secured a frugal living, writing copies of "Dixie," and at one time, as in early days, he swung the ax in cutting wood. Some time thereafter, through the kindly efforts of Henry W. Jennings and Paul Kester, the play writer, formerly of Mt. Vernon, a weekly allowance of
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five dollars was secured from the Actor's Fund of New York. This continued until his death.
In 1895 Al G. Field secured the consent of Mr. Emmett for a tour of the South. While on that trip "Uncle Dan" was given an ovation wherever he appeared. The trip, however, did not cause the old minstrel to have any desire to remain before the public, and he returned again to his little home.
Mrs. Emmett came to take care of "Uncle Dan" during sickness about five years before his decease. She had many improvements made to the house for their comfort and remained to the time of his death. Suddenly the end came on Tuesday evening, June 28, 1904, as Mr. Emmett had been out of doors during the day, although in failing health for some time. Though bap- tized, as a child, he had not united with any church. A little prayer book of the Episcopal church given him by his sister was greatly treasured by him. He had been a great student of the Bible, not only for subject matter for his negro hymns and sermons in earlier days, but in his declining days procured a large print Bible to read for his pleasure in its truths.
The funeral was under the direction of the local lodge of Elks, and the burial service and a short address of appreciation by the Rev. William E. Hull was read at St. Paul's Episcopal church, and the remains laid to rest in Mound View cemetery on Friday afternoon July 1, 1904.
After some years of delay the entire collection of writings and music left by Mr. Emmett were permanently deposited in the state library at Columbus.
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