09/12/2024
The fascinating Haseltine story begins with family patriarch Ira Sherwin Haseltine, who was born in 1821 in Vermont. Later, he married Augusta Thomas and, in 1843, moved to Wisconsin. There, they produced nine children between 1849 and 1870. Ira was a farmer-merchant, who also became involved in politics. He was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, and was later, after moving to Missouri, elected to Congress.
In 1871, after learning about the construction of the Atlantic and Pacific railway (later Frisco) through Springfield, MO, Ira bought 80 acres about five miles west of the Springfield Public Square at $25 per acre. It was just north of Dorchester Station (later renamed Haseltine Station).
Ira decided to get into the apple business, and established Haseltine Orchards. He and his oldest son Spurgheim planted over 7,000 apple trees from 1871-1874. They would use Haseltine Station to ship out thousands upon thousands of barrels of apples. At the time of his death, Ira was known as the first orchardist and was thought to have the largest orchard in the world (1,600 acres).
Read more history here:
http://haseltineestate.com/the-estate-history
Beautiful images from the very talented
