Johnny Appleseed

And The Bucyrus Centennial

Throughout the fall of 1921, Bucyrus celebrated its 100th birthday with great fanfare. One of the keynote guest speakers was Mrs. Maud Hooker Alfred, the great-granddaughter of Samuel and Mary Norton (the founding family of Bucyrus).  

In her centennial speech, Mrs. Alfred described her great-grandparents’ arrival in and eventual settling of Bucyrus.  Mrs. Alfred also spoke of the Native American inhabitants who were already living there, the adventures and daily routines of other pioneer families who also eventually settled in the area, and several notable visitors who were simply passing through Bucyrus as they travelled throughout Ohio. 

Mrs. Alfred even referenced a particularly memorable and eccentric character, Johnny Appleseed.  Prior to the Nortons’ arrival and their official founding of the city of Bucyrus, Johnny had already established some of his signature “roots” in the area.

One of the very interesting characters who preceded the pioneer was 'Johnny Appleseed,' about whom much has been written.  He had planted an orchard not far from my great-grandfather's first cabin, and it bore fruit in the early years after their arrival. Great-grandfather had brought his own seeds when he came and had planted his own orchard; but many of Johnny's trees were standing after great-grandfather's were all dead.  All of my mother's family were fond of Johnny, who was gentleness, uprightness, and honor itself, though very uncouth in appearance, caring not at all about his clothes.  Often his feet were bare, even in winter, and his clothes ragged and pieced together, but he was always shaven and clean."

— Maud Alfred, Samuel and Mary Norton's great-grandaughter, speaker at the Bucyrus Centennial Celebration, 1921
Samuel Norton, Founder of Bucyrus

One of the very interesting characters who preceded the pioneer was 'Johnny Appleseed,' about whom much has been written.  He had planted an orchard not far from my great-grandfather's first cabin, and it bore fruit in the early years after their arrival. Great-grandfather had brought his own seeds when he came and had planted his own orchard; but many of Johnny's trees were standing after great-grandfather's were all dead.  All of my mother's family were fond of Johnny, who was gentleness, uprightness, and honor itself, though very uncouth in appearance, caring not at all about his clothes.  Often his feet were bare, even in winter, and his clothes ragged and pieced together, but he was always shaven and clean."

— Maud Alfred, Samuel and Mary Norton's great-grandaughter, speaker at the Bucyrus Centennial Celebration, 1921
News-Forum-Pageant-Lineup
News-Forum-McMichael-Johnny-Appleseed

The October 4, 1921, edition of the News-Forum, celebrating the Bucyrus Centennial. 

Click on these newspaper images to see close-up references to Johnny Appleseed and his historical connection to Bucyrus.

"One of the very interesting characters who preceded the pioneer was 'Johnny Appleseed,' about whom much has been written. He had planted an orchard not far from my great-grandfather's first cabin, and it bore fruit in the early years after their arrival. "

— Bucyrus Centennial Speech (1921) given by Maud Alfred, great-grandaughter of Bucyus founders Samuel and Mary Norton