John Chapman (September 26, 1774March 18, 1845), often called
Johnny Appleseed, was an American pioneer
nurseryman who introduced apple trees to large parts of
Pennsylvania,
Ontario,
Ohio,
Indiana, and
Illinois, as well as the northern counties of present-day
West Virginia. He became
an American legend while still alive, due to his kind, generous ways, his leadership in
conservation, and the
symbolic importance he attributed to apples. He was also a
missionary for
The New Church (Swedenborgian) and the inspiration for many museums and historical sites such as the Johnny Appleseed Museum in
Urbana, Ohio and the Johnny Appleseed Heritage Center in between
Lucas, Ohio and
Mifflin, Ohio.