John Edward Eldridge

John Edward Eldridge of Sallisaw could easily be known as the John Appleseed of Sequoyah County.

“Apples are my hobby,” Eldridge said. “I have planted apple trees at every house I have ever lived in. I currently have three of them on my property and this year, the trees produced quite a bit of fruit.”

Eldridge not only plants and grows apple trees but on most days, he sets up at the Farmers Market in Sallisaw to sell his popular apple products which includes the crowd favorite, apple butter, and something he can’t bake enough of, apple pies, and also canned apples.

Eldridge said he and his siblings grew up spending time on their grandfather’s 40-acre farm in Michigan where he was born and raised.

“We used to sit underneath a big apple tree and eat apples. I loved spending time there and although my grandfather was a farmer, I never really wanted to farm but it got to me to thinking as I became older, I wanted an apple tree in my yard and since then, I’ve learned a lot about growing them,” Eldridge said.

Eldridge came to Sallisaw in 1995 to take a job with Borg-Warner as an operations manager. He retired in 2020 after 36 years of work in mechanical engineering, he said.

“I enjoy living in Sequoyah County,” Eldridge said. “I love the quiet country atmosphere. My company used to bring me here before I actually moved here. The mayor at that time, the late George Glenn, told me I needed to move here because it was a great place to raise a family.

“He wasn’t wrong. My kids loved it here. They were involved in sports and other school activities and we came to know a lot of people. Now my kids are grown so it’s just me and my wife at home,” he said.

Eldridge and his wife, Tammy, have raised five children. The couple also has three grandchildren.

In addition to growing apples, Eldridge said he also has pear trees and this year, his wife decided to make a garden which has produced plenty of vegetables which they also sell at the Farmers Market.

“We don’t do this for the money. It’s something we enjoy doing. I enjoy meeting the people who come to the Farmers Market and it also gives me a chance to drive my red 1950 International Harvest truck,” he said, smiling. “It generates a lot of interest and it’s a great conversation starter.”

Eldridge said although growing apples is a hobby for him, it takes a lot of work and knowledge to get some good fruit.

“The deer also like apples and I’ve had to put up some fencing around the trees. Now the birds have been taking bites off the ones located at the top, I may have to put some wire over them,” he said.

“The apples became ready to be picked recently and during the hottest of days last week, I was picking apples,” he said. “With it just being my wife and I at home, we can’t eat that many apples and pears, so I make the apple butter and pies, they go pretty fast!”

“I get a lot of pointers from the OSU Extension office and I’ve learned a lot about growing apples,” Eldridge said.

“I’ve had to repair a few branches such as when the storm would hit and break a limb. There’s a way to drill a hole, use a screw and the branch will grow back together. Oklahoma is friendlier to pears than apples. Pears are easier to grow in Oklahoma,” he said.

Eldridge said he is enjoying his retirement. In addition to growing apples, and being an automobile buff, (owns a 1931 Model A) he also enjoys playing his guitar for the United Faith Church in Sallisaw where he and his wife attend.

“We practice four days a week and perform on Sundays,” he said.

“Once we came to Sallisaw to live, I enjoyed being a part of this community so well, I guess it’ll always be my home,” he said.

Just Folks is Your TIMES way of honoring the regular people of Sequoyah County, recognizing their unique talents, personalities, jobs, abilities, etc. Your TIMES appreciates the cooperation of each Just Folks and the public’s nominations for this feature. If you know of someone you think might be a good story, contact Amie or Lynn at 918-775-4433.