IN MEMORIAM, PETER M. GIDEON. 21 
In 1878, when the state established an experimental fruit farm, he was 
made superintendent and continued in that capacity for several years. 
He left a large amount of unfinished experiment work in the shape of 
apple seedlings, trees of all sizes, from that of one year’s growth to the fully 
matured tree. It is hoped that some suitable person may take up this work 
and carry it on to a finality, such a one as Mr. Gideon dreamed of and labored 
for unsparingly. 
Five children, two daughters and three sons, survive Mr. Gideon, his 
wife having died a number of years since. 
His daughter, Mrs. Florence Gideon Webster, of Eveleth, Minn., in writ- 
ing of him, says: 
“You all Know the history of those early struggles, and I presume you 
know the task he set himself in later life—to produce a long keeping apple, of 
good quality, which should be hardy in the Northwest. His method of 
crossing and selecting you are familiar with. Many new seedlings were 
brought into bearing each year, some of the last of great promise. For many 
years none of the seedlings have been introduced or propagated in any way. 
Just how many mile stones he had passed no one can say, but he certainly 
felt he was far on the way. 
“That which impresses one most was his devotion to his idea and his 
years of persistent toil, just as devoted and persistent without aid or en- 
couragement as with it. 
“T sav, you know his work, vet no one who has not seen it in detail can 
realize the touch of the master hand. He lived close to Nature, and much 
that most of us have to glean from the study of many minds seemed re- 
vealed to him direct. 
“He believed thoroughly in his work and in his ideas as a man meant toac- 
complish the best results. Fain, too, would he have had the world believe 
with him. But his ideas were as often blighted and frost bitten as his be- 
loved trees. 
“His religion, his philosophy and his politics, which cost him so many 
sympathizers, were as truly his own production as the Wealthy apple— 
just a suggestion of the seed planted. And he who looks may see that, as 
his work was directed to the production of a perfect apple, his ethics betray 
a striving for an universal ideal which few would have the boldness to con- 
ceive or the hopefulness to maintain. No man had ever more the courage 
of his convictions. He knew no compromise.. 
“The world he has left is richer for something it had not before he 
came—a worthy bequest. By his work know him. He has well earned the 
great privilege of having what follows this world’s labor.” 
Mr. Gideon identified himself with the horticultural society at a very early 
day, his name appearing on the rolls first in 1868. In 1883, by a unanimous 
vote of the society, he was chosen an honorary life member. 
During most of these years Mr. Gideon was a regular attendant at our 
meetings, where he always took a prominent part. His last visit with the 
society was at the annual meeting of 1808, the last one held prior to his death. 
His presence with us at that time was in the nature of an ovation and must 
have been gratifying to him as an expression of interest in him and loyalty 
to his work. 
There has never been a time in the history of the society when Mr. 
Gideon’s work was not fully appreciated by the society, and it was so to the 
end. When two years since misfortune overtook him in the burning of his 
home, it was looked upon as a privilege by the society to be able in his hour 
of trial to offer him some material assistance, which was of most value to 
-him, no doubt, as showing the profound interest the society was taking in 
his work and their faith in him. 
As an indefatigable, persistent worker, with the highest ideal, but with 
full faith in the possibility of its attainment, when shall we see his like again? 
