Though repeatedly warned that his undertaking was hopeless, 

 Lewelling persisted in his cherished scheme of establishing a nursery 

 in the "densely wooded North West," many leading varieties of apples 

 and pears, some plums and cherries, one Isabella grape vine and one 

 gooseberry plant were among the trees and shrubs, which packed in 

 carefully prepared soil, were loaded upon his wagon and ox-teams. 



Journeying through "dry, thirsty land and over lofty mountain 

 ranges," he reached Milwaukee, Wis., about October 1, 1847, with 

 most of the trees alive. There he established his first nursery, and 

 continued his way to the Pacific Coast. 



Ralph Geer, another pioneer of that same year, says, "That load 

 of trees contained health, wealth and comfort for the old pioneers of 

 Oregon. It was the mother of all the orchards west of the Rocky 

 Mountains, and gave Oregon a name and fame that she never would 

 have had without it. That load of living trees brought more wealth 

 to Oregon than any ship that ever entered the Columbia River." 



Incidentally, Lewelling founded, during his travels, four towns 

 by the name of Salem, in memory of his birthplace; Salem, N. C, 

 Salem, O., Salem, Ind., Salem, Iowa, and Salem, Ore., all owe their 

 origin to him. 



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