HON. JOHN M. SAMUELS, 



CHIEF OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HORTICULTURE, WORLD S 



COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 



John M. Samuels, chief of the department of horticulture, World's 

 Oolumbiaii Exposition, was born in the village of Burksville, Cumberland 

 county, Kentucky, Feb. 26, 1848. 



His ancestors were English, French, and German, and were among the 

 very first settlers of Kentucky. They participated in the Indian wars and 

 afterward became very large land-owners and were prominently identified 

 with the interests of the state. A great-grandfather was an own cousin of 

 Geo. Washington and was a colonel in the Continental army. 



W. M. Samuels, the father of the subject <jf this sketch, moved to 

 Clinton, in the western part of Kentucky, in 1852, and after merchandising 

 a few years, sold out and concentrated his efforts in the nursery business. 



Young Samuels grew up in his father's nursery and imbibed a great 

 love for horticulture in its various branches. When not assisting his 

 father he attended Clinton academy, and afterward completed the college 

 course at Kentucky university. 



By testing all fruits before recommending them, and by strict attention 

 to every detail of the business, the father and son made an excellent repu- 

 tation for the Mississippi Valley nurseries, which are now known 

 throughout the civilized world. 



On arriving at his majority, in 1869. Mr. Samuels established the 

 Louisiana nurseries, which are still in successful operation in Shreveport. 

 Under his management, in those years, these nurseries became the largest 

 in the south, and many of the large orchards and ornamental grounds in 

 the southwest are the result of trees and plants distributed from them. 



Yellow fever having almost depopulated Shreveport in 1873, Mr, Samuels 

 disposed of his interests there, returned to Kentucky, and became an 

 equal partner with his father in the Mississippi Valley nurseries, which 

 interest he now holds. 



By diligent application to business he accumulated considerable capital 

 and invested in improved and unimproved lands in Kentucky, Tennessee, 

 Mississijjpi, Florida, California, and in real estate in Chicagp. 



Upon the southern lands he established orchards of fruits suited to 

 different soils and climates. 



Having a desire to become familiar with fruits in all parts of the country, 

 he adopted the best plan of doing so, by speculating in them during the 

 least busy season in the nursery. 



