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| Add Photo — Add Link — Add Commentary — Correct this page — Print | | Excelsior in Hennepin County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains) |
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Peter M. Gideon and the Wealthy Apple
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By K. Linzmeier, September 1, 2012 | |
| | | 1. Peter M. Gideon and the Wealthy Apple Marker | | |
Inscription. In 1853, Peter Miller Gideon and his wife, Wealthy, arrived in Minnesota from Ohio and settled on the shores of Lake Minnetonka. Long interested in fruitgrowing, Peter Gideon determined to satisfy the craving of pioneer families for apples and other fruits although all previous efforts to grow them had failed.
In 1854, he recorded that he planted one bushel of apple seed and a peck of peach seed. For fourteen years he planted, seeded, and grafted more than 10,000 apple, cherry, peach, pear, plum, and quince trees; but hard winters, blight, grasshopper plagues, and other reverses prevailed. Each year he had to start anew.
From one seed he obtained from Maine, a seedling grew that withstood the hard Minnesota winters and produced in 1868 the celebrated Wealthy apple, which was named for his wife and hailed as the "best apple produced since Adam and Eve left the Garden of Eden." From this flourished the Northwest's fruitgrowing industries.
His steadfastness and perseverance applied also to his outspoken, often inflexible, views on social issues. He condemned slavery and abuse of Indians, supported women's rights, and fought for the "advancement of moral refinement."
Within view of this monument, which is on the southeast corner of the original homestead, is the Gideon home, now more than 100 years | | | | 
By K. Linzmeier, September 1, 2012 | |
| | | 2. Peter M. Gideon and the Wealthy Apple Marker | | |
old, and the site of the original orchards.
[Seal of the Natural Resources Fund]
[Seal of The Minnesota Historical Society]
Erected by the Minnesota Historical Society
1965
Erected 1965 by Minnesota Historical Society.
Location. 44° 54.223′ N, 93° 35.51′ W. Marker is in Excelsior, Minnesota, in Hennepin County. Marker is at the intersection of Gideons Lane and Glen Road on Gideons Lane. Click for map. Marker can be reached from Glen Road, west of County Road 19 / Manitou Road. Marker is in this post office area: Excelsior MN 55331, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, as the crow flies. Peter M. Gideon (about 300 feet away, in a direct line); Geology of Lake Minnetonka (approx. 1.3 miles away); In Honor of All Who Served and Those Who Died (approx. 1.4 miles away); Soldiers Memorial (approx. 1.8 miles away); Christmas Lake (approx. 2.7 miles away); SurfSide Park (approx. 4.2 miles away); Minnetonka -- Queen of the Inland Lakes (approx. 4.2 miles away); Veterans Monument (approx. 4.2 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Excelsior.
Also see . . .
1. Minesota History Magazine. Minnesota Historical Society; Peter M. Gideon, Pioneer Horticulturist. pdf (Submitted on September 6, 2012.)
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By K. Linzmeier, September 1, 2012 | |
| | | 3. Peter M. Gideon and the Wealthy Apple Marker | | |
2. Peter M. Gideon, Pioneer Horticulturist. (Submitted on September 6, 2012.)
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By K. Linzmeier, September 1, 2012 | |
| | | 4. Peter M. Gideon and the Wealthy Apple Marker | | Gideons Lane | | |
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By K. Linzmeier, September 1, 2012 | |
| | | 5. Peter M. Gideon Home | | [immediately beyond the marker] | | |
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Credits. This page originally submitted on September 6, 2012, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 158 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 6, 2012, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.
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